CFMC has awarded a $4,000 grant to Firefly Children & Family Alliance to support legal aid for Morgan County families.
The grant will support Firefly’s crucial work in assisting families navigating the local legal system. As one of the few counties in the state that requires legal representation to file for guardianship, even if uncontested, Morgan County families often face insurmountable financial hurdles as they seek healthier outcomes. When Firefly was awarded these funds previously our community liaison was able to help eight families gain guardianship, allowing the children to have stability and permanency they had not had in a long time. Guardians, who often had been caring for these children for years were now able to take them to the doctor’s office, enroll them in school, and even enroll the children in summer youth camps.
In partnership with two local attorneys, Firefly will be the sole organization delivering this project through our Community Partners for Child Safety program. Staff will work with participants to identify resources to address their respective needs and ultimately stabilize the family, reducing the likelihood that they will experience a situation in which abuse or neglect may occur.
“We are proud to partner with the Community Foundation of Morgan County to ensure families have the resources they need to be successful,” says Firefly President & CEO Tina Cloer. “Our top priority is keeping kids safe and grants like these help us achieve our mission of empowering individuals to build stronger families and communities.”
With years of experience working closely with the Department of Child Services, Morgan County families, and local agencies, Firefly is uniquely positioned to meet this need in the community.
The grant’s success will be measured by the number of families helped to successfully complete their legal journey. With many single female parents or other families living at or near poverty having the greatest need for assistance, the grant’s goal is to have at least 90 percent of families complete their filing prior to discharge, which takes an average of approximately 90 days.
