Morgan County program earns grant

By Staff
Gov. Bob Riley has awarded an $88,831 grant to help teenage males returning from boot camp or a detention center transition back into a less-structured home environment.
The grant will help the Morgan County System of Services Inc. in Decatur continue the Transitional Residential Placement Program in partnership with the Alabama Sheriff’s Youth Ranches. The program helps Morgan County teens avoid the situations that resulted in them being sent to boot camp or a detention facility.
The non-profit organization was established in 2002 to provide a network of support for high-risk teens. The program ensures the safety of participants and meets basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. Specific, individual needs are also addressed, including therapy, treatment for substance abuse, vocational assessment and guidance, educational training and recreational programs. The program helps older males who cannot return home develop plans to find safe and stable housing.