County Approves $2M for Safe Harbor Expansion

Montgomery County Commissioners Court Approves $2 Million for Children’s Safe Harbor New Facility

**Conroe, TX – May 29, 2024** – The Montgomery County Commissioners Court has committed a substantial $2 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to Children’s Safe Harbor, a critical Child Advocacy Center (CAC) serving the region. The significant allocation, approved during their meeting on Tuesday, May 28th, is earmarked for the organization’s Capital Campaign to construct a much-needed, larger facility aimed at serving child victims of severe abuse and neglect across Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Liberty Counties.

This $2 million injection represents a major step forward for Children’s Safe Harbor’s ambitious $17 million expansion project. With this latest commitment, the Capital Campaign has now successfully raised $10 million, moving significantly closer to its full fundraising target.

Children’s Safe Harbor plays an indispensable role in the community, providing a safe, child-focused environment for forensic interviews, therapy, and victim advocacy services. Currently operating out of a facility at 1590 N. FM 3083 E in Conroe, the center has demonstrably outgrown its space, annually managing over 2,000 cases – a number that tragically underscores the critical demand for their specialized services.

The planned new facility, set to be double the size of their current building at 32,000 square feet, will be located nearby at 1210 N. FM 3083 E in Conroe. This crucial expansion is designed to dramatically increase their capacity, enabling Children’s Safe Harbor to serve up to 4,000 children every year, providing a greater number of vulnerable youth with a path to healing and justice. The organization aims to open the doors of the new center by Summer 2025.

The Commissioners Court, presided over by County Judge Mark Keough, highlighted the vital role Children’s Safe Harbor plays in the community. Officials underscored that the allocation of ARPA funds reflects the county’s commitment to protecting its most vulnerable residents and strategically addressing critical public health and welfare needs exacerbated by recent years.

Victoria Constance, Executive Director of Children’s Safe Harbor, expressed profound gratitude for the county’s support. “This $2 million commitment from the Montgomery County Commissioners Court is a game-changer for our Capital Campaign,” Constance stated. “It signifies a powerful partnership in protecting children and ensuring they receive the specialized care and support they desperately need. This funding brings us significantly closer to breaking ground on a facility that will allow us to serve twice as many children, offering them a path to healing and justice.”

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were allocated by the federal government to help state and local governments respond to the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their authorized uses include supporting essential services, investing in infrastructure, and assisting households and businesses. The investment in Children’s Safe Harbor demonstrates the county’s strategic use of these funds to bolster critical social infrastructure and address increased demands on child welfare services, which often faced heightened challenges during the pandemic.

Children’s Safe Harbor operates on a nationally recognized Child Advocacy Center model, bringing together law enforcement, Child Protective Services, prosecution, medical professionals, and mental health experts under one compassionate roof. This multidisciplinary approach minimizes the number of interviews a child endures, reduces trauma, and significantly improves the likelihood of successful investigations and prosecutions, providing a holistic and supportive environment for child victims.

While the county’s contribution significantly advances the project, Children’s Safe Harbor is still actively seeking the remaining $7 million to fully fund the $17 million initiative. The organization urges community members, businesses, and philanthropic organizations to consider supporting the Capital Campaign, ensuring the new center can open its doors as planned by Summer 2025 and continue its life-saving work. For more information on the Capital Campaign or to contribute, please visit childrenssafeharbor.org.