News

$16 million in Victims of Crime Act Grants Awarded to Agencies

Gov. Jim Justice has announced that he has awarded $16,707,149.00 in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant funds to 82 projects statewide.
Among those receiving funds were A Child’s Place CASA in the amount of $50,650.00. Funding will be utilized to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children.
Also receving funds was CHANGE, Inc. in the amount of $124,860.00. This funding will be utilized to ensure abused children in Brooke and Hancock Counties receive child-centered services that focus on their individual needs by assessing, investigating, and offering a coordinated service response to the physical, emotional, and legal dimensions of child abuse.
CHANGE, Inc. has also received $57,570.00 to be utilized to provide free, confidential, 24-hour specialized services to domestic violence victims in Hancock and Brooke County, including crisis intervention, community referrals, and help with filing for victims’ compensation and protection orders.
VOCA funds 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.
A portion of Funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime and a portion was provided by the Office of the Governor and the West Virginia Legislature as state supplemental funds.
The VOCA grant program is administered by the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services’ Justice and Community Services Section.