WINONA, Minn. — The Winona Family and Children Center was awarded a $1.2 million state grant to expand  home-visitation programs. Tita Yutuc, the Center’s executive, said the grant will help serve 40 families with early intervention and prevention services for children. This includes preventing abuse and neglect and stopping cycles of abuse, she said. The grant was one of 12 statewide from the Minnesota Health Department for counties classified with high-risk needs. The Winona grant runs five years at $250,000 a year.

Agency profile

Since it was founded 30 years ago, he Winona Family and Children Center has served 1,000-plus families. Among its programs”

> Matty’s Place, a child abuse prevention and advocacy program.

> Hiawatha Hall, an intensive residential treatment facility.

> Outpatient youth counseling and assessments.

> Foster care day services.

Winona offices: 601 Franklin Street. The agency also has operations in southwest Wisconsin: Black River Falls, LaCrosse, Sparta and Viroqua.