The Kentucky Justice Cabinet has announced more than $26 million in federal grants to programs that assist victims of violent crime or help combat violence against women—with three local agencies receiving some of those funds.
The Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center is receiving $98,000, the Christian County Attorney’s Office just under $62,000 and Sanctuary, Inc. is receiving $400,000.
The funds are part of two federal grant programs—the Victims of Crime Act and the STOP Violence Against Women Act.
Candra Barnett is the director of the Advocacy Center and says the money will help them continue their mission of assisting children in the nine-county region who are victims of sexual abuse.
She says they hope to begin a prevention program in 2019 and the federal funds will help.
Barnett says the center operates largely from state and federal funds, but it’s supported by private donations.
Sanctuary’s grant funds will mostly go to continue paying the salary of staff and to continue day to day operations—though Director Heather Lancaster says they are hoping to build up their clinical therapy program in 2019 with additional training.
Women who are victims of domestic violence and their children can find a safe place to stay at Sanctuary.
County Attorney John Soyars says their funds will be used to continue funding the victim’s advocate position.