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Local agencies receive VOCA funding to help crime victims
Posted On 09 Sep 2023
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Tag: American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), CASA of Clay and Knox and Laurel Counties Inc., Cumberland River Behavioral Health, Cumberland Valley Children's Advocacy Center, Cumberland Valley Domestic Violence Services Inc., Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), VOCA funding, Williamsburg Police Department’s Victim’s Advocate Program
Kentucky has received nearly $27.2 million in federal grants to support victims of violent crime, and $736,905 of that funding is going to local organizations.
In total, 114 crime victim service providers have received funding this year through the federal Victims of Crime Act grant program, known as VOCA.
VOCA funding prioritizes services to victims of child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. Funding can also serve survivors of homicide and victims of burglary, theft, drug and alcohol-related crime and elderly victims and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse or assault.
The last several years have seen significant decreases in federal funding for VOCA grants. The Justice and Public Safety Cabinet’s 2023-2024 biennial budget included an additional $10 million of funding in each fiscal year from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to help offset the reduction. This year’s VOCA funding includes $17 million from the Office for Victims of Crime and an additional $10 million in ARPA funds, bringing the total awarded amount to over $27 million.
Cumberland River Behavioral Health, which is headquartered near Corbin and has an eight-county service region, received $148,408 in VOCA funding plus $63,379 in ARPA funding for a total of $211,787 this year. Last year it received a total of $192,738 in VOCA funding.
The Cumberland Valley Children’s Advocacy Center in London received $162,100 in VOCA funding plus $188,462 in ARPA funding for a total of $350,562 this year. Last year it received a total of $210,519 in VOCA funding.
The Williamsburg Police Department’s victim’s advocate program received $46,800 in VOCA funding this year compared to $58,500 last year.
Cumberland Valley Domestic Violence Services Inc. in London received $85,362 in VOCA funding this year compared to $110,860 last year.
CASA of Clay, Knox and Laurel Counties Inc. received $42,394 in VOCA funding this year compared to $52,993 last year.
“This administration fights for victims of crime. We intend to provide every available resource to help them heal and obtain justice,” said Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Kerry Harvey.
