62 Nevada community agencies awarded $20 million in Victims of Crime Act grant funding
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 04/20/2020 - 12:04pm
The Division of Child and Family Services on Monday announced 62 agencies, including 5 new agencies, will be awarded the annual Victims of Crime Act Assistance Formula Grant funding for the 2021 State Fiscal Year (SFY21) totaling $20 million.
$1.1 million in innovative funding was awarded to 13 agencies that will provide services to targeted projects and programs aimed to serve victims of crime who are homeless, to prevent Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), to assist when children are secondary victims of domestic violence and to bring telehealth services for victims of crime in rural areas of Nevada.
“We are happy to be able to award these funds to the dedicated service providers who stand ready to help Nevadans,” stated Ross Armstrong, Administrator of DCFS. “It is our hope that through focused innovative awards we’ll continue to enhance Nevada’s Victims of Crime system.”
The VOCA Assistance Formula Grant supports thousands of victim assistance programs throughout the nation each year. The states awarded the grant provide subgrants to local community-based organizations and public agencies who serve victims directly. Direct assistance to crime victims includes crisis counseling, telephone and on-site information and referrals, criminal justice support and advocacy, shelter, therapy, and additional assistance. Funds may also be used to develop new programs that address emerging needs, gaps in services, and training of victim service advocates.
In addition to the $1.1 million allocated to innovative services, $18.9 million will be used for traditional services and it is estimated that more than 118,000 survivors will be served through these programs.
Under the VOCA Program Guidelines, funding priority is given to programs serving victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. Ten percent of the total funding must be allocated to victims of violent or property crime, or victims who are "previously underserved," which indicates that the particular victim population historically or currently has not had access to or been provided with specialized or adequate services.
DCFS has determined that the previously underserved populations targeted for funding are: Children and Minors, Immigrants, Elderly, People with Disabilities, LGBTQIA2+, Tribal Communities and Homeless. The $20 million in awarded funding adheres to the four priority funding areas: Sexual Assault will be funded at $4,089,220; Domestic Violence will be funded at $6,486,250; Child Abuse will be funded at $4,978,120; Underserved Populations will be funded at $3,692,160; and All Other services will be funded at $725,250.
Clark County will receive 62 percent of the total funding, Washoe County will receive 25 percent, and the rural counties will receive 9 percent.
Funding for SFY21 is dependent upon the Office of the Inspector General’s audit of the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child and Family Services being closed and subject to the availability of funds.
More information about the VOCA Assistance Formula Grant Program can be found on the DCFS website here.
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