West Virginia Governor's Office issued the following announcement on Dec. 7.
Gov. Jim Justice announced that he has awarded $3,999,933 in Victims of Crime Act Assistance (VOCA) sub-grant funds to 84 public and private non-profit agencies throughout the state.
“Helping victims of violent crime is something we need to do in every way we possibly can,” Gov. Justice said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a rise in the number of West Virginians using our nonprofit agencies for assistance. That’s why I advocated for this funding from our Legislature, because every single dollar helps someone in need."
The Victims of Crime Act Assistance sub-grant funds will provide direct services like counseling, personal advocacy, court advocacy, client transportation, and support services to victims of crimes including domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, and elder abuse. The funds will also support assistance to victims as they move through the criminal justice system.
The VOCA Supplemental Funds were awarded from the State Special Legislative Session, House Bill 336, requested and signed by Gov. Justice, to offset federal budget cuts to the Victims of Crime Act Program. These funds are administered by the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services, Justice, and Community Services Section.
"On behalf of the thousands of children served by West Virginia's 21 child advocacy centers each year, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Governor and the WV Legislature for stepping in to bridge this year's gap in federal Victims of Crime Act funding," Kate Flack, CEO of the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network said. "Our centers greatly depend on these dollars to conduct their work - supporting hope, healing, and justice for children impacted by abuse - and this work would not be possible without powerful, compassionate allies."
"The state’s sexual assault coalition, the WV Foundation for Rape Information and Services, reports that the VOCA rescue has been a true lifeline to shoring up rape crisis center services for the next year," Nancy Hoffman, Executive Director of the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information Services said. "These funds ensure 24/7 hotline and crisis intervention services throughout the state for sexual assault and stalking victims across the lifespan. The Legislature’s and Governor’s collective and quick action have prevented the loss of staff, ensuring that victims served by each of the 12 regional centers will receive the critical services they need and deserve."
"The West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence and its 14 licensed member programs appreciate all efforts to improve West Virginia’s infrastructure that includes maintaining our safety net for our citizens and families who are victims of crimes," Joyce Yedlosky, Team Coordinator of the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence said. "This safety net includes 24/7 shelter and hotline services, offices/services in all 55 counties, court accompaniment, legal services, and emergency assistance funds to help survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence and human trafficking. VOCA cuts combined with pandemic impacts threaten this vital safety net with even harsher impacts in our rural counties, where barriers to safety and services are often higher
Funds were awarded to the following:
Brooke and Hancock Counties
A Child's Place CASA, Ltd.
$10,345.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of child abuse and neglect in Brooke and Hancock counties.
Barbour County
Barbour County Commission
$9,113.00
This grant will fund staff in the Barbour County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Barbour County.
Cabell, Wayne, Putnam, Lincoln and Mason Counties
Branches Domestic Violence Shelter Inc.
$155,570.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence in Cabell, Lincoln, Putnam, Wayne, and Mason Counties.
Hampshire, Mineral and Pendleton Counties
Burlington United Methodist Family Services Inc.
$18,083.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse victims in Hampshire, Mineral, and Pendleton Counties.
Cabell County
Cabell County Commission
$49,831.00
This grant will fund staff in the Cabell County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Cabell County.
Kanawha, Jackson and Putnam Counties
CAMC Health Education & Research Institute Inc.
$65,047.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse victims in Kanawha and Jackson Counties.
Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler Counties
CASA for Children Inc.
$50,894.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse and neglect victims in Ohio, Marshall, Tyler, and Wetzel Counties
Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan
CASA of the Eastern Panhandle Inc.
$80,058.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of child abuse and neglect in Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties.
Greenbrier, Pocahontas
CASA of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, West Virginia Inc.
$20,740.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of child abuse and neglect in Greenbrier and Pocahontas Counties.
Marion County
CASA of Marion County
$21,883.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of child abuse and neglect in Marion County.
Hancock and Brooke Counties
CHANGE Inc. (CAC)
$28,337.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child victims in Hancock and Brooke Counties.
Hancock and Brooke Counties
CHANGE Inc. (DV)
$12,698.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence is Brooke and Hancock Counties.
Kanawha County
City of Charleston
$8,461.00
This grant will fund staff in the Charleston Police Department to provide direct services to crime victims in the City of Charleston.
Mercer County
Child Protect of Mercer County Inc.
$33,037.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse victims in Mercer County.
Greenbrier, Monroe and Pocahontas Counties
Child and Youth Advocacy Center Inc.
$49,978.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse and neglect victims in Greenbrier, Pocahontas, and Monroe Counties.
Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan Counties
Children's Home Society of West Virginia (Martinsburg Safe Haven Child Advocacy Center)
$41,837.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse victims in Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties.
Wood, Ritchie, Pleasants and Wirt Counties
The Children's Listening Place Inc.
$111,893.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse victims in Wood, Wirt, Pleasants and Ritchie Counties.
Logan, Mercer and McDowell Counties
ChildLaw Services Inc.
$37,262.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child victims of abuse and neglect, and children who witness domestic violence in Mercer and McDowell Counties.
Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas and Summers
Comprehensive Women's Service Council Inc.
$141,558.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking victims in Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas, and Summers Counties.
Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo and Wayne Counties
CONTACT Huntington Inc.
$126,801.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of sexual assault in Cabell, Wayne, Logan, Mingo, Mason and Lincoln Counties.
Boone and Lincoln Counties
Cornerstone Family Interventions Inc.
$34,511.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child victims in Boone and Lincoln Counties.
Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan Counties
Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center
$154,352.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault in Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties.
Kanawha, Putnam, Jackson, Boone, Currently 26 counties referring to FCC
Family Counseling Connection Inc.
$66,871.00
This grant will fund staff to provide trauma therapy and direct services to victims of sexual violence, child abuse, and domestic violence in Kanawha, Putnam, Jackson, and Boone counties.
Mineral, Grant, Hardy, Hampshire and Pendleton Counties
Family Crisis Center Inc.
$77,467.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to sexual assault and domestic violence victims in Mineral, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, and Pendleton Counties
Jackson, Tyler, Ritchie, Pleasants, Wirt and Wood Counties
Family Crisis Intervention Center of Region V Inc.
$83,985.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to domestic violence and sexual assault victims in Wood, Jackson, Ritchie, Wirt and Pleasants Counties
Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Pocahontas
Family Refuge Center Inc.
$180,383.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, and Pocahontas Counties.
Cabell, Wayne, Mason, Lincoln and Mingo Counties
Family Service of Goodwill Industries
$25,042.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, financial exploitation, and child abuse in Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, Mingo and Wayne Counties.
Greenbrier
Greenbrier County Commission - Prosecutor's Office
$10,261.00
This grant will fund staff in the Greenbrier County Sheriff's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Greenbrier County.
Greenbrier County
Greenbrier County Commission - Sheriff's Department
$10,909.00
This grant will fund staff in the Greenbrier County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Greenbrier County.
Hancock, Brooke and Ohio Counties
Hancock County Commission
$36,086.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to crime victims in Brooke, Hancock, and Ohio Counties.
Ohio and Marshall Counties
Harmony House Inc.
$40,157.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse victims and adult survivors of child sexual abuse in Ohio and Marshall Counties.
Kanawha, Tyler, McDowell, Wetzel, Wirt and Wood Counties
Harmony Mental Health Inc.
$66,414.00
This grant will fund staff to provide trauma-informed mental health direct services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse in Wood, Jackson, Kanawha, Wirt, Tyler and Wetzel Counties.
Harrison County
Harrison County CASA Program Inc.
$28,197.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of child abuse and neglect in Harrison County.
Harrison, Doddridge, Taylor and Barbour Counties
Harrison County Child Advocacy Center
$76,860.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking victims in Harrison, Doddridge, Taylor and Barbour Counties.
Jackson County
Jackson County Commission
$8,414.00
This grant will fund staff in the Jackson County Sheriff's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Jackson County.
Jefferson
Jefferson County Commission
$24,888.00
This grant will fund staff in the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Jefferson County.
Raleigh, Fayette and Wyoming
Just For Kids Inc.
$70,373.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse victims in Raleigh, Fayette, and Wyoming Counties.
Kanawha County
Kanawha County Commission - Prosecutor's Office
$23,974.00
This grant will fund staff in the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department to provide direct services to crime victims in Kanawha County.
Kanawha County
Kanawha County Commission - Sheriff's Department
$15,198.00
This grant will fund staff in the Kanawha Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Kanawha County.
Statewide
Legal Aid of West Virginia Inc.
$174,129.00
This grant will fund staff to provide legal services to domestic violence, sexual assault, financial exploitation, disabled and elderly victims in West Virginia.
Logan and Mingo Counties
Logan Co. Child Advocacy Center Inc.
$38,696.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse victims in Logan and Mingo Counties.
Logan County
Logan County Commission - Prosecutor's Office
$11,349.00
This grant will fund staff in the Logan County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Logan County.
Logan County
Logan County Commission - Sheriff's Department
$8,157.00
This grant will fund staff in the Logan County Sheriff's Department to provide direct services to crime victims in Logan County.
Marion County
Marion County Child Advocacy Center Inc.
$37,517.00
This grant will fund staff to provide for direct services to child abuse victims in Marion County.
Marion County
Marion County Commission
$13,331.00
This grant will fund staff in the Prosecutor's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Marion County.
Mason County
Mason County Commission
$9,888.00
This grant will fund staff in the Mason County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Mason County.
Mercer
Mercer County Commission
$50,939.00
This grant will fund staff in the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office in order to provide direct services to all victims of crime in Mercer County.
Mineral County
Mineral County Court Appointed Special Advocates Program Inc.
$30,683.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of child abuse and neglect in Mineral County.
Mingo County
Mingo County Commission - Prosecutor's Office
$6,746.00
This grant will fund staff in the Mingo County Sheriff's Department to provide direct services to crime victims in Mingo County.
Mingo County
Mingo County Commission - Sheriff's Department
$5,434.00
This grant will fund staff in the Mingo County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Mingo County.
Monongalia County
Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center Inc.
$26,207.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse and neglect victims in Monongalia County.
Monongalia County
Monongalia County Commission
$59,872.00
This grant will fund staff in the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Monongalia County.
Monongalia and Preston Counties
Monongalia County Youth Services Center
$65,672.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of child abuse and neglect in Monongalia and Preston Counties.
Statewide
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
$10,534.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of Driving Under the Influence cases throughout the State of West Virginia.
Uphsur and Lewis Counties
Mountain CAP of West Virginia Inc.
$19,114.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse victims and adult survivors of child sexual abuse in Upshur and Lewis Counties.
Nicholas and Webster Counties
Nicholas County Family Resource Network
$25,487.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse and neglect victims in Nicholas and Webster Counties.
Ohio County
Ohio County Commission
$8,477.00
This grant will fund staff in the Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct
services to crime victims in Ohio County.
Preston County
Preston County Commission
$9,624.00
This grant will fund staff in the Preston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Preston County.
Putnam County
Putnam County Commission - Prosecutor's Office
$12,401.00
This grant will fund staff in the Putnam County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Putnam County.
Putnam County
Putnam County Commission - Sheriff's Department
$7,859.00
This grant will fund staff in the Putnam County Sheriff's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Putnam County.
Randolph and Tucker Counties
Randolph County Children's Advocacy Center Inc.
$27,875.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse victims and adult survivors of child sexual abuse in Randolph and Tucker Counties.
Randolph County
Randolph County Commission
$10,044.00
This grant will fund staff in the Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide services to crime victims in Randolph County.
Monongalia, Preston and Taylor
The Rape & Domestic Violence Information Center Inc.
$177,074.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and stalking victims in Monongalia, Preston, and Taylor Counties.
Summers County
REACHH-Family Resource Center Inc.
$15,139.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse victims and adult survivors of child sexual abuse in Summers County.
Roane County
Roane County Commission
$5,794.00
This grant will fund staff in the Roane County Prosecuting Attorney's office to provide direct services to crime victims in Roane County.
McDowell, Mercer and Wyoming Counties
Stop Abusive Family Environments Inc.
$38,152.00
This grant will fund staff to provide services to domestic violence and sexual assault victims in McDowell, Mercer and Wyoming Counties.
McDowell
Stop the Hurt Inc.
$18,148.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse victims in McDowell County.
Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis and Marion Counties
Task Force on Domestic Violence, “HOPE Inc.”
$133,975.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, victims in Marion, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison and Lewis Counties.
Mingo and Logan Counties
Tug Valley Recovery Shelter Association Inc.
$50,132.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking victims and underserved population in Mingo and Logan Counties.
Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel Counties
Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center Inc.
$71,088.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to adult and child victims of sexual assault in Ohio, Hancock, Brooke, Marshall, and Wetzel Counties.
Upshur County
Upshur County Commission
$7,992.00
This grant will fund staff in the Upshur County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Upshur County.
Wood, Wirt, Pleasants and Ritchie Counties
Voices for Children
$23,065.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse and neglect victims in Wood, Wirt, Pleasants, and Ritchie Counties.
Statewide
West Virginia Child Advocacy Network Inc.
$47,607.00
This grant will fund the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network Inc's Expansion and Service Enhancement Project statewide aimed at expanding Child Advocacy Center (CAC) services to unserved areas and enhancing the quality of services provided to victims of child abuse in the 43 counties already served by a CAC.
Cabell, Wayne, Kanawha, Putnam, Lincoln, Boone, Jackson, Roane, Calhoun, Mason
TEAM for West Virginia Children Inc.
$116,716.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse and neglect victims in Cabell, Wayne, Kanawha, Putnam, Lincoln, Boone, Jackson, Roane, Calhoun and Mason Counties.
Statewide
West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence Inc.
$57,041.00
This grant will fund staff to direct legal services to victims and survivors statewide who could not be served by Legal Aid or other pro bono attorneys.
Statewide
West Virginia Division of Corrections & Rehabilitation
$36,180.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to the crime victims of inmates under the custody of the Division of Corrections.
Statewide
West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services
$60,018.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to the victims of crime throughout the state of West Virginia.
Wetzel and Tyler Counties
Wetzel County Commission - CAC
$18,542.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to child abuse and neglect victims in Wetzel and Tyler Counties.
Wetzel County
Wetzel County Commission - Prosecutor's Office
$8,978.00
This grant will fund staff in the Wetzel County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Wetzel County.
Randolph, Tucker, Braxton, Upshur, Webster and Barbour
Women's Aid in Crisis
$162,869.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence, child victims, and sexual assault victims in Randolph, Barbour, Tucker, Upshur, Webster, and Braxton Counties.
Wood County
Wood County Commission
$16,347.00
This grant will fund staff in the Wood County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Wood County.
Wyoming County
Wyoming County Commission
$6,688.00
This grant will fund staff in the Wyoming County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to provide direct services to crime victims in Wyoming County.
Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel Counties
Young Women's Christian Association of Wheeling WV
$77,373.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence and child victims in Ohio, Marshall, and Wetzel Counties.
Kanawha, Clay and Boone Counties
YWCA of Charleston, West Virginia Inc.
$73,212.00
This grant will fund staff to provide direct services to domestic violence victims in Kanawha, Clay, and Boone Counties.
Original source can be found here.