Four agencies in Owensboro were awarded more than $1.7 million in federal grants for victim advocacy programs, as announced by Governor Matt Bevin on Wednesday. CASA of Ohio Valley, the Daviess County Attorney Office, O.A.S.I.S., Inc. and New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services were four of 135 programs that received funding to support crisis intervention services across Kentucky.
“Gov. Bevin joined with the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and victim advocates from across the state today to announce a record $37.9 million in federal grants to support crisis intervention services for victims of crime,” stated a press release from the governor’s office.
CASA, the Daviess County Attorney Office, OASIS and New Beginnings received this funding through the federal Victims of Crime Act grant program, known as VOCA.
“The awards mark a 50 percent increase over the amount provided in 2018 and 511 percent increase compared to 2015,” the release says.
New Beginnings was awarded the most federal funding of the three agencies at $742,470. OASIS was awarded $705,103, CASA was awarded $247,921 and the Daviess County Attorney Office was awarded $68,956.
VOCA funding originates from the federal Crime Victims Fund, and these funds are not collected from the taxpayers, but from criminal fines, forfeitures, special assessments and gifts and donations.
According to the release, grants experts have begun focusing on the expansion of services for underserved populations and rural areas across Kentucky, increasing technical assistance to participating programs and responding to emergency needs.
This grant cycle includes 14 child advocacy centers, 16 domestic violence shelters, 13 rape crisis centers, eight law enforcement-based programs, 34 prosecutor-based programs, six legal aid programs and 20 court-appointed special advocates programs. Owensboro received grants for four of these programs.
