$80,000 Awarded to the Child Protection Center

January 23, 2023 – Sarasota

The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) has been awarded $80,000 in funds through the generosity through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Inc. and the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation. These grants provide necessary funding for the updates and replacement of the nonprofit’s elevator to ensure code compliance and reliability.

The Child Protection Center’s mission is the prevention, intervention and treatment of child abuse and has provided services throughout Sarasota and DeSoto counties for over 42 years. The office in Sarasota is a state-of-the-art facility that houses the Child Protection Team (CPT) on the second floor. CPT is legislatively mandated and works with the DCF and local law enforcement on the cases of children who are suspected victims of physical and sexual abuse and neglect, and facilitates forensic interviews, medical assessments, and court testimonies.

Doug Staley, Executive Director of the Child Protection Center, commented on the increasing need for child abuse services within the community. “The Child Protection Team served over 400 children in the Sarasota office last year. In the last six months of 2022, the number of medical assessments needed for alleged victims of child abuse was over 35% higher than the same time period in the previous two years. Access to these emergency intervention services is vital for the families in Sarasota and DeSoto county.”

“We are immensely grateful for the assistance of these compassionate members of our community,” said Mr. Staley. “This support is vital in ensuring our funds remain within programming and providing those essential services in protecting children from abuse and neglect.”

The Child Protection Center’s mission is the Prevention, Intervention, & Treatment of Child Abuse, as the organization envisions a community where children are safe from abuse and free to thrive. For over 40 years, CPC has been serving Sarasota and DeSoto Counties in the State of Florida, and is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. For more information on CPC, visit www.cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277.