CONGRESSMAN BISHOP PRESENTS $367,362 CHECK TO SWGA CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE TO SUPPORT CHILD ABUSE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS
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February 23, 2023
AMERICUS, GA– Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) presented a ceremonial check to the Southwest Georgia Children's Alliance, Inc. representing the $367,362 in federal funding that the Congressman secured for the organization as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 funding bill. The Southwest Georgia Children's Alliance, Inc. will use the funds to support its child abuse treatment and prevention programs which help 17 resource-poor counties in Southwest Georgia.
"Georgia's future depends on the wellbeing of its youth. These federal funds are crucial to providing support to counties across Southwest Georgia who need these resources to ensure better, safer lives for our youth," said Congressman Bishop. "I am glad that I was able to secure these funds to help the Southwest Georgia Children's Alliance in this effort. Our youth should never have to suffer child abuse and those who unfortunately have had to live through it, must have the care they need to recover and lead healthy, productive lives."
"In the months and years following the COVID-19 pandemic, requests for our services substantially increased, and in some cases doubled while, through no fault of our own, a major source of funding for victims' services was cut first by 20% in FFY21 and then by an additional 36% in FFY22," said SW GA Children's Alliance Executive Director Maggie McGruther. "Congressman Bishop worked two-fold to address these issues and make certain victims of child abuse and neglect, sexual assault, and domestic violence will continue to have access to critical resources when they need them most."
Congressman Bishop is a senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives and leader on the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees federal discretionary spending. In addition to directing overall funding levels for federal departments, agencies, and programs – many of which operate or fund projects at the state and local level in Georgia and across the country – the Congressman was able to secure over $25 million in direct funding for several important projects in Middle and Southwest Georgia.
In the past three weeks, Congressman Bishop has presented funds to the cities of Colquitt, Donalsonville, and Bainbridge as well as the Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council in Dawson, the Boys and Girls Club of Albany, Inc., and the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission in Camilla.
Earlier this week, he presented funds to the Southwest Campus of the Medical College of Georgia in Albany (to help provide more physicians and medical professionals in rural and underserved areas). Today, he has also presented funds to the City of Leesburg (for a water pump installation clean water project), Mount Olive Community Outreach Center, Inc. (to replace housing lost to Hurricane Michael and recent tornadoes), and Albany Technical College (to help recruit and train more nurses for the region).
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PHOTOS: Congressman Bishop presents a ceremonial "big check" in Americus, GA, representing the $367,362 he secured in federal funds for the Southwest Georgia Children's Alliance, Inc. to support its child abuse treatment and prevention program.