Covington County Child Advocacy Center reports 30% rise in forensic interviews, urges continued local support

Ray Rayton, speaking for the county’s Child Advocacy Center, told commissioners the center now provides forensic interviews, pediatric sexual-assault medical exams, and counseling in a child-centered setting so families avoid traveling for services. He said the center achieved a roughly 30% increase in forensic interviews and reported 117 interviews since October, roughly 600 counseling sessions per year, and 15 medical exams so far this year.

"We provide those only for children in Covington County unless there's a conflict," Rayton said, describing partnerships with DHR, local law enforcement and the district attorney. He cited VOCA grants and state funds through the Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers as primary funding sources and said local fundraising (rodeo, box-lunch sales) helps fill gaps.

Why it matters: the CAC reduces trauma by centralizing forensic and medical services for children and supports local investigations and prosecutions. The commissioners asked about funding sources and volume; the presenter identified grant funding (VOCA) and state network support and described an increase in demand.

Next steps: the presentation was entered for budget consideration; no immediate county appropriation was taken at the meeting.