Northwest Missouri
Receives Over $120,000 in State Services to Victims Funds
JEFFERSON CITY, July 14, 2005—Gov. Matt Blunt
today announced the award of over $120,000 to five northwestern 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.”
C.A.R.E. of Atchison County will receive $32,396, Buchanan
County will receive $17,280 for the Enhanced Domestic Violence Program
and $18,525.90 for the NWMO Children’s Advocacy Center, the
Children and Family Center of NWMO in Maryville will receive $26,473.22,
and the YWCA of St. Joseph will receive $28,276.40.
C.A.R.E. of Atchison County, Inc. is a program providing
crisis intervention, medical and court advocacy, transportation of
clients to medical appointments or other community service organizations,
and referrals for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
in addition to providing short-term housing in some cases.
Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Enhanced Domestic Violence
Program provides a domestic violence victim advocate primarily to
Buchanan County and to other NWMO counties if requested to help victims
through events such as courtroom proceedings. Victim Advocates make
contact with victims shortly after being submitted to law enforcement,
and they continue to support victims throughout a case.
The NWMO Children’s Advocacy Center provides child abuse counseling
to child victims of sexual and physical abuse in Northwest Missouri.
The counseling is offered at no cost to children ages 2-17.
The Children and Family Center of NWMO is open 24 hours
a day, everyday, year-round for victims of domestic violence and sexual
assault. The Center also provides court advocacy services and referrals.
The YWCA of St. Joseph provides shelter, outreach and
services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in the
area. Victim Services include emergency room and court advocacy, childcare
and transportation for victims.
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.