Center For Child and Family Advocacy Receives $150,000 Grant From SBC Foundation; Funds to Aid in the Assessment, Treatment and Prosecution of Child Abuse in Franklin County.

News Editors/Business Editors

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 2004

The Center for Child and Family Advocacy recently received a $150,000 grant from the SBC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of SBC Communications, Inc. to support the design, purchase and implementation of technology to aid in the assessment, treatment and prosecution of child abuse in Franklin County.

The customized "Case Tracking System" that has been designed for the Center for Child and Family Advocacy is vital for case management and tracking, telemedicine, communication, security and administrative functions. This technology will make possible more efficient data collection, leading to better outcomes and protection for abused children; improved communication, leading to better information sharing and evidence to hold offenders accountable; and better education and prevention, resulting in safer and healthier families.

"The investment from SBC allows us to have a state of the art technology system that provides coordinated information in real time, allowing all the necessary system: police, prosecutors, and children services, to begin their work immediately. It helps to ensure that children are protected and that we have the ability to evaluate our work to ensure that the children and families we serve are experiencing positive outcomes," said Yvette Brown, president, Center for Child & Family Advocacy.

The SBC Foundation is a private foundation funded by SBC and its family of companies. The Foundation's funding priorities include education, community economic development, cultural and arts outreach and health and human services. Technology-related grants that support community initiatives are a priority.

"The SBC Foundation is proud to be able to support the technology needs of the Center for Child and Family Advocacy to aid in their assessment, treatment and prosecution of child abuse in Franklin County," said Michael Kehoe, vice president of external affairs, SBC Ohio. "We are committed to supporting programs and services that help strengthen and build the communities where we do business."

The Center for Child and Family Advocacy is a joint effort of the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence and Columbus Children's Hospital. The Center will facilitate the prevention, assessment, investigation and treatment of child abuse and domestic violence through a multi-disciplinary team of professionals. This collaborative effort will unify the police, sheriff's office, prosecutor, child welfare, medical and mental health, and domestic violence professionals to reduce the emotional trauma caused by child abuse and domestic violence.