CHARLESTON — An area organization has been awarded a portion of $2.5 million in grants to support programs aimed at addressing child abuse, neglect and sexual assault in West Virginia.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the funding awards Monday afternoon.

“These programs work tirelessly from the first report to the final resolution of a case,” said Morrisey. “This funding will support the men and women who provide life-changing services such as advocacy, education, forensic interviews, therapy, and medical evaluations to West Virginia’s most vulnerable.”

Among the organizations announced, CHANGE, Inc., which is based in Weirton and has offices serving Hancock, Brooke, and Marshall counties in West Virginia, and Jefferson County in Ohio, will be receiving $91,032. The funds come from a portion of $2.1 million for use by child abuse and neglect prevention programs.

CHANGE operates the Comfort House Child Advocacy Center, offering support to youth involved in abuse or neglect cases, as well as the Domestic Violence Awareness Center and the Lighthouse Domestic Violence Shelter.

Other organizations set to receive a share of those funds are Burlington United Methodist Family Services, Cabell Huntington Hospital, CAMC Health Education and Research Institute, Child and Youth Advocacy Center, Child Protect of Mercer County, Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, Cornerstone Family Interventions, Harmony House, Harrison County Child Abuse Task Force, Just for Kinds Inc., Logan County Child Advocacy Center, Marion County Child Advocacy Center, Monongalia County CAC, Mountain CAP of West Virginia, Nicholas County Family Resource Network, North Star CAC, Randolph Tucker CAC, REACHH Family Resource Center, Stop the Hurt Inc., West Virginia Child Abuse Network, and Wetzel County Commission.

Also announced with an allocation of $383,366 in Sexual Assault Kit Initiative funds, to be divided between the Monongalia County Commission and the West Virginia State Police.

All funding is administered by the Justice and Community Services Section of the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services under the Department of Homeland Security.