Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today that the Montana Department of Justice will provide an additional $3.5 million to enhance the state’s Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs). This funding aims to improve the response and care for child survivors of crime and abuse across Montana. The financial support is made possible by a recent settlement with Johnson & Johnson, which resolved allegations that the company knowingly sold baby powder contaminated with carcinogenic asbestos.
CACs serve as vital facilities that offer care and support to children who have experienced abuse or other crimes during investigations. Each of the nine accredited CAC programs in Montana, along with the Children’s Alliance of Montana, will receive an initial allocation of $10,000 to bolster their efforts in delivering comprehensive care to young victims.
The Department of Justice plans to establish a working group to distribute the remaining funds over the next few years, ensuring ongoing support for CAC programs. Additionally, a grant application process will be opened for both accredited and developing programs to access the funds, which may also be used for training opportunities and other initiatives to strengthen these essential services.
The announcement was made at RiverStone Health in Billings, home to the Yellowstone Valley CAC.
“I cannot imagine a better way to put the settlement dollars from Johnson & Johnson to good use,” said Attorney General Knudsen. “Montana’s CACs ensure that children who have survived heinous crimes receive the care and support they need during investigations. They also assist law enforcement and prosecutors in bringing child predators to justice. As Attorney General, I will continue to advocate for our Children’s Advocacy Centers and do everything I can to support them.”
Dr. Megan Littlefield, Chief Medical Officer at RiverStone Health, expressed gratitude for the additional funding, stating, “Since 2012, the Child Advocacy Center at RiverStone Health has provided a mentally and physically safe environment for children, and we are thankful to be able to continue to improve our medical evaluation services through this grant.”
CACs provide a safe space for abused children and their non-offending family members after a report of sexual abuse. These centers facilitate a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach, allowing investigators and caregivers to work together without subjecting the child to multiple interviews, thereby minimizing trauma and increasing the chances of successful prosecution.
The Montana Department of Justice currently collaborates with the nine accredited CAC programs and the Children’s Alliance of Montana through memorandums of understanding, providing each center with $10,000 annually. Today’s funding announcement builds upon this existing support.
