County to share in $231K domestic violence grants
Published 4:28 pm Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded three grants totaling $231,943 to support an organization that assists abuse victims in Baldwin, Escambia, Conecuh and Monroe counties.
The Baldwin County Family Violence Project is using a $150,861 grant to provide emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis line, counseling and advocacy to domestic violence victims in all four counties. With a separate $58,332 grant, the organization is providing the same services to sexual assault victims in Baldwin and Escambia counties.
A $22,750 grant is enabling the program to employ an advocate to assist domestic abuse victims in Conecuh and Monroe counties. The advocate assists victims with their needs and provides referrals to other community agencies when necessary.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, infrastructure upgrades, recreation, energy conservation, water resource management, job training and career development. Matching funds of $57,985 will supplement the grants.
Bentley informed Sheryl Stovall, Baldwin Family Violence Project board president, that the grants had been approved.
In addition to grant funding, the organization depends on private donations to ensure a full range of services is available at no cost to victims.