Northeast Missouri Receives
Over $140,000 in State Services to Victims Funds
JEFFERSON CITY, July 14, 2005—Gov. Matt Blunt
today announced the award of over $140,000 to four northeastern Missouri
victim service agencies. The grant program funds are administered
by the Missouri Department of Public Safety and are funded by Missouri’s
State Services to Victims Fund (SSVF).
Blunt signed legislation this week that allows cities
and counties to collect fees on marriage licenses and civil cases
to help support domestic violence shelters. Blunt’s announcement
of the award to northeastern Missouri was part of a total $3.8 million
that was awarded to victim service agencies throughout the state for
the 2006 SSVF grant period.
“Missourians should know that an important part
of criminal justice is making sure victims of those criminal acts
are not ignored or alienated,” Blunt said. “The State
Services to Victims Fund supports agencies that provide direct services
to victims of crime, ensuring their needs as victims are met.”
The AVENUES Shelter of Hannibal will receive $54,050,
Douglass Community Services of Hannibal will receive $9,445.63, Safe
Passage of Moberly will receive $21,394.75, and Victim Support Services
of Kirksville will receive $63,348.80.
The AVENUES Shelter of Hannibal provides safety and
advocacy for victims of domestic and sexual violence. AVENUES offers
shelter, support groups, case management and crisis intervention.
The Douglass Community Services’ Court Appointed Special Advocates
(CASA) Program serves children in the 10th Judicial District who are
in juvenile dependency cases or child orders of protection. CASA often
advocate for children who have been abused so severely they were removed
from their violent home environments.
Safe Passage of Moberly is a place victims of domestic
violence and sexual assault can go to receive shelter, advocacy, case
management and referrals."
Victim Support Services of Kirksville provides victim,
legal and social service advocacy to victims as well as case management,
life skills training and post shelter support.
SSVF funds come from court fees collected at criminal
proceedings in Missouri’s courts, including juvenile court proceedings.
The fund was established in 1988 and awards annually an average of
$3.4 million to victim service providers in Missouri.
For more information about the State Services to Victims
Fund, please contact Patty Rellergert with the Victim Services Grant
Program Office at (573) 751-5954.