JEFFERSON CITY -- The Children's Trust Fund Board of Directors awarded over $1.2 million for fiscal year 2009 in grants to 60 community-based organizations, including several in Southeast Missouri, for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

The funded prevention grants focus on home visitation and parent education, including safe crib and mentoring programs that help pregnant and parenting teens by providing education, resources and support.

Among those locally receiving grant money were: Dexter Community Regional Healthcare Foundation - Healthy Stoddard County Families - $7,183; Mississippi County Caring Communities, East Prairie - Bright Beginnings Project - $9,942; New Madrid County Human Resource Council, New Madrid - Right from the Start - $6,040; and Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center, East Prairie - Parenting Program - $25,909.