WilCo Gives $1.8M To Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Williamson County will set aside up to $1.8 million of federal relief funds to help the Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center, officials said.

The county commissioners court approved the funds from the American Rescue Plan Act on Tuesday, which will help the nonprofit organization cover unexpected construction costs on its new headquarters.

The American Rescue Plan, which received congressional approval in March, will aid the county with more than $110 million of relief funds from the program.

In the meeting, Williamson County Treasurer Scott Heselmeyer asked commissioners to approve allocation of ARPA funds for two projects—filling a backlog of open prosecutor positions within the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office and covering a shortfall of construction funds for the upcoming children's advocacy center.

According to Community Impact, construction of the new children's advocacy center is currently running $1.8 million over its original $5.5 million budget. On May 25, Williamson County Facilities Director Dale Butler told county commissioners the growing budget concerns come as the price of lumber is skyrocketing nationwide.

Officials said the new center would be located next to the current structure on Wilco Way in Georgetown. At this time, the center has been temporarily housed at 211 Commerce Blvd. in Round Rock, since late March.

The Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center offers multidisciplinary response to allegations of child abuse and ensures that all child victims get the services and support they need under one roof and free of charge, authorities said. In 2019, the nonprofit center responded to 4,115 cases of reported abuse.