REP. YORK ANNOUNCES VOCA FUNDS TO AID CRIME VICTIMS IN REGION INCREASED TO $1,157,346
“These dollars will grant local agencies the ability to continue and expand their services to victims of crime,” says Rep. Jill York. “It is an investment in our people, in re-building lives and moving past tragedy.”
Frankfort, Ky. — November 4, 2016– According to Rep. Jill York, Secretary of Justice and Public Safety Cabinet John Tilley’s office has announced the agencies and non-profit advocates that will receive federal Victims of Crime Act grant funds in northeast Kentucky.
The six agencies awarded have regional impacts and are on the front lines of advocacy and support to citizens who have been affected by crime.
The agencies and their funding allotments are:
CASA Northeast Expansion $ 72,550
Safe Harbor of Northeast Kentucky $285,000
Hope’s Place $150,000
Legal Aid of Kentucky $204,796
Mountain Comprehensive Care $320,000
Pathways $125,000
The figures indicate a substantial increase in funding to Safe Harbor, Hope’s Place, Legal Aid of Kentucky and Mountain Comprehensive Care, who had received funds in the past. CASA and Pathways are new programs funded in this manner for the first time.
Rep. York commends the Governor’s Office and Secretary Tilley for their commitment to Eastern Kentucky and their decisions to prioritize the region for increased funding.
“What this means is more resources available for crisis intervention and a host of other services can be more readily available to our citizens. We are all aware of statistics about criminals, but never forget for an instant the unseen side of the story – the pain of the victims and impact on their lives,” said York.
Kentucky’s Justice and Public Safety Cabinet describes the Victims of Crime Act program (VOCA) grants as being used to provide funding to public agencies and not-for-profit organizations that offer direct services to victims of crime. Projects that provide services to victims of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence are made priorities.
In addition to these priority categories, VOCA program funds projects that serve other groups such as victims of burglary or theft, survivors of victims of homicide, victims of drug and alcohol-related crime, elderly victims, and adult survivors of incest. Services to these groups focus on crisis intervention and assistance in obtaining benefits from compensation programs. Further information about the VOCA funds may be found at http://justice.ky.gov/Pages/Victims-of-Crime-Act.aspx.
