Local agencies awarded Ohio A-G grants

Van Wert independent

COLUMBUS — Two local agencies received funding from Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office for crime victims services, including domestic violence services.

The Van Wert County Victims Services agency received a total of $26,478 for 2014, while the YWCA of Van Wert County was awarded $89,864 for the coming year for domestic violence services, according to information released by the Attorney General’s Office on Tuesday.

The local grants were part of a total of $17 million in grant funding awarded statewide to 276 Ohio crime victim service agencies.

The programs receiving funding include domestic violence shelters; human trafficking outreach centers; aged-out foster youth initiatives; sexual, elder, and child abuse programs; legal aid initiatives; and court appointed special advocate programs

“Victims of crime often don’t know what help is available on their path towards healing, and that is why crime victim services agencies like these are so important,” said Attorney General DeWine. “Ohio’s victim advocates work on the front lines of our justice system every day supporting victims.”

The majority of the funding was awarded as continuing Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and/or State Victims Assistance Act (SVAA) grant funding for 2013-2014. Both local agencies received VOCA grants.

Meanwhile, the Van Wert County Board of Commissioners will decide soon on how marriage license fee money will be allocated for domestic violence services in the county.

Two agencies, the YWCA and Crisis Care Line, are seeking the approximately $9,000 generated annually through marriage license fees. Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger said the commissioners are seeking to bring both agencies together to come up with a plan on how they would serve domestic violence victims in the community.

“If they don’t in the next week or two, we will award the monies based on our appraisal of their ability to effectively deliver services,” Lichtensteiger said.