United Way Of West Alabama Honors CAPS As Agency Of The Year

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS) on Tuesday was awarded the Homer S. Butler, Jr. Agency of the Year Award during the United Way of West Alabama (UWWA) Campaign Kickoff at the Bryant Conference Center

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UWWA Board Chairman Jheovanny Gomez presented the award to CAPS Executive Director Lisa Maddox, along with the staff, board of directors, and volunteers.

“We are so grateful to the outstanding leadership, staff and volunteers of CAPS for their special hearts and dedication to addressing this issue that can be so damaging to a young life,” UWWA President & CEO Jackie Wuska said.

CAPS was honored for its programs that prevent child abuse while aiming to break the cycle of child maltreatment in Tuscaloosa and Hale counties.

UWWA said the nonprofit trains children in school classrooms to recognize unsafe behaviors and environments, along with other skills.

Knowing that one in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday and that 90% of children who are victims of sexual abuse know their abuser, CAPS programs are vital for educating children, parents, and caregivers about child sexual abuse prevention.

Founded in 1977, CAPS trained 18,499 children since its inception, while also extending training to new and expectant mothers in identifying abuse and ways to better cope with the pressures of being a new parent.

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