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April 20, 2021 - The Shelby County Commissioners approved a declaration of April as Child Abuse Awareness Month April 7, 2021.
Denise Merriman, Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center Executive Director, stated, "Thank y'all for the support and for being willing to acknowledge that child abuse is a problem in Shelby County, and being willing to stand up for our children."
Present for the meeting were board members, staff, community partners and Judge Allison Harbison invited them to stand up during the meeting.
A motion carried to approve declaring April as Child Abuse Awareness Month.
The commissioners approved the disbursement of two grants from Sabine River Authority totaling $60,000.
"They gave us two grants earlier. They gave us a $50,000 and then they gave us a $10,000, so we have $60,000 from the Sabine River Authority," said Judge Harbison.
The first grant came after Hurricane Laura and the second was after the winter severe storm.
"The Sabine River Authority accumulated this money from the sale of water, and they donated this money to Shelby County with no restrictions on how it could be spent. Just to benefit the betterment of the county" said Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1.
A motion carried to move the funds to Road and Bridge at $15,000 per precinct to help recoup expenses Hurricane Laura and the winter ice storm.
The meeting was then adjourned.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Approve and pay weekly expenses. 2. Public comments on Agenda item. 3. Proclamation declaring April as “Child Abuse Awareness Month”. 4. Discuss disbursement of the two grants totaling in the amount of $60,000 from Sabine River Authority. 5. Adjourn
