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Traditionally, the number of child abuse reports goes up as schools ready for a new year. Things pick up dramatically in July, she said, as the Children’s Justice Project, of which Amberly’s Place is the hub, provides mandated reporter training for teachers on how to recognize signs and symptoms of child abuse and the mandate to report it.

“While this trend is disturbing, it also means that these crimes are being reported and the victims and families are getting the help that they need to begin to heal from this type of abuse,” Bourguignon said.

“Our community is truly amazing,” noted Trevor Umphress, director of development. “Now these funds will be able to further assist us in our mission and ensure those that we serve do not go without.”

Amberly’s Place is facing a “significant” cut to its Victims of Crime Act funding, which has historically been the largest and most stable funding source for the center.

https://www.yumasun.com/news/amberly-s-place-kicks-off-week-in-paradise-fundraiser/article_54a2a2b8-e6d7-11ed-88a4-db23e84e237b.html

VOCA funds do not come from taxpayers’ dollars. Rather, they are funded with criminal fines, penalties, forfeited bail bonds and special assessments collected by the federal government.

Mayor Nieves Riedel, who assumed office in December, says she has started a review of those allocations to make sure the city is getting the agreed-upon services and that the money is otherwise used for the intended purposes.

She said money will only be given to the organizations that submit reports on their uses of the funds, and depending on whether the city’s budget allows for the financial distributions.

“When they bring me (requests for) donations for approval, and I ask questions, I realized that there’s a list of the same people receiving (the money) and that they receive it systematically,” she said.

“I’m a person of numbers,” said Riedel, who heads a housing development company in San Luis. “And the numbers don’t lie. The residents of San Luis, Arizona, have the right to know how we are spending their money, because it’s not our money, nor is it the city employees. It’s the public’s money.”

First to come under review were the organizers of the Off Road Expo in San Luis, an event that brings together off-road vehicle vendors and enthusiasts of the pastime to the city’s Joe Orduno Park. The city committed $25,000 for contractual services and $10,500 in sponsorships.

According to the Yuma Union High School District, Gila Ridge girls basketball coach and health teacher Lindsay Martin has been involved in the community since before she started teaching and coaching. She came up with the idea for the team to start a drive for Amberly’s Place as a way of getting them involved.

“We are showing these young ladies that it is not just about basketball,” Martin said. “It is who you are as people at the end of the day. These girls want to help and be involved not just in school but in the community.”

However, not all was bad news. The report indicated that cases of child physical abuse were down by 18% when compared to 2021.

The center helps victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and elder abuse. Secondary victims are those who witness and/or are directly impacted by the abuse of the primary victim.

“We are grateful for our law enforcement and DPS (Arizona Department of Child Services) partners for allowing us to assist you in serving victims,” Bourguignon said.

Amberly’s Place in Yuma is one of the organizations. The others are Childhelp Inc., Flagstaff Medical Center, Yavapai Family Advocacy Center and the Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center.

The funding, which is being given through the FY2023 Children’s Justice Act, will be used to support organizations that improve multidisciplinary coordination, provide training for professionals involved in the and prosecution of child abuse and neglect cases, and support the development of child and family advocacy centers.