Justice and Public Safety Cabinet
Lieutenant Governor Pence announces $5.6 million in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Funds available to communities

FRANKFORT - Lt. Governor and Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Stephen B. Pence today announced funding is available through his cabinet for the federal program -- Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Approximately $5.6 million in grants is available representing a six percent increase from last year.

The VOCA program is for hands-on assistance to victims of crime, which includes expanding direct services to the victim. These services may include crisis intervention and follow-up, therapy, group counseling, information and referral, court advocacy and assistance with victim compensation claims.

Private/non-profit programs such as domestic violence shelters, children’s advocacy centers, rape crisis centers, as well as prosecutor based advocates, and other advocacy programs that currently provide or want to provide direct service to victims of violent crime may obtain an application, at our web-site: http://justice.ky.gov/departments/gmb/ or may contact the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet for additional information.  Donna Langley, the VOCA Program Director, is located at 125 Holmes Street, Frankfort, Ky. 40601, and can be contacted at 502-564-3251 tel; 502-564-5244 fax; or email at donna.langley@ky.gov

The dates for the VOCA applications are:  applications are available on-line May 1, 2006; must be submitted by June 12, 2006; and, awards are scheduled to be announced in September 2006.