August 06, 2004

Multnomah County Childrens Receiving CenterReceives Funds Secured by Wyden, Smith

Senators secured $250,000 appropriation for care of children in need

Washington, DC Starting today, the Multnomah County Childrens Receiving Center can begin drawing funds from a $250,000 appropriation secured by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) in the Fiscal Year 2004 omnibus funding measure. The Receiving Center provides professional care and support to children up to 18 years of age who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. These children are cared for in a home-like setting until they can transition to foster or alternate family placement.The Receiving Center provides a safe haven for abused and neglected children by giving them support and a sense of security, said Wyden. Getting these funds on the ground will help the center continue its critical mission of protecting kids from dangerous situations and helping them cope with what they have already suffered.These kids have already been through more than most of us can ever imagine, said Smith. Its important that they have some semblance of normalcy as they go through an often terrifying process.The Multnomah County Children's Receiving Center has been in operation since January 2002. While at the Children's Receiving Center, children can be interviewed by the police and receive medical attention and evaluation in a non-threatening environment, minimizing additional trauma to children who have already been subject to mental and physical abuse.The Receiving Center is supported by the Portland Police, Gresham Police, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Multnomah County District Attorney, Oregon Childrens Protective Services, Christie School, CARES NW, Morrison Center Family and Child Services, Multnomah County Health Department, Multnomah County Family and Childrens Services Dept., Gateway Area Business Association, Hazelwood Neighborhood Association, Portland City Council, and Multnomah County Board of Commissioners.