FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 31, 2023) – $27.2 million in grant funding has been awarded to assist victims of violent crime in the commonwealth. This year’s federal Victims of Crime Act grant funding was awarded to 114 organizations across Kentucky.
VOCA funding prioritizes services to victims of child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. Funding can also serve survivors of homicide and victims of burglary, theft, drug and alcohol-related crime and elderly victims and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse or assault.
The last several years have seen significant decreases in federal funding for VOCA grants. The Justice and Public Safety Cabinet’s 2023-2024 biennial budget included an additional $10 million of funding in each fiscal year from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to help offset the reduction.
In the south central Kentucky area, Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center, Barren River Area Safe Space, CASA of South Central KY, Cumberland Trace Legal Services D/b/a Kentucky Legal Aid, and Hope Harbor received both VOCA and ARPA funding. The Green County Attorney Office of Victim Advocacy and Lake Cumberland Children’s Advocacy Center received ARPA funding.