Ivey Awards Domestic Violence Grants in West Alabama

Four West Alabama organizations are among 15 in the State of Alabama sharing in $673,000 in grant money be awarded by Gov. Kay Ivey to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other crimes.

While Gov. Ivey awards the funding, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) administers the funding made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice.

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In a press release announcing release of the grants Ivey called the money critical in assisting victims. "These funds will support programs that provide critical services to crime victims and help investigate and prosecute offenders," she was quoted as saying. "I am pleased to award these grants that will help victims recover and take important steps toward rebuilding their lives."

The West Alabama organizations receiving the grants are:

• San, Inc. (Turning Point) will receive $39,610 to provide emergency shelter, individual and group counseling, a 24-hour crisis line and follow-up services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The agency services Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa counties.
• Tuscaloosa Safe center will be allocated $54,610 for forensic exams, case management and therapy for victims of sexual violence. They serve Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa counties.
• Selma and Blackbelt Regional Abuse (SABRA) Sanctuary will utilize $16,350 to provide community education, crisis intervention, case management and other services to domestic violence victims in Greene, Marengo, Perry and Sumter counties in West Alabama as well as Dallas and Wilcox counties in South Central Alabama.
• Pickens County Commission get $57,710 for the 24th Judicial Circuit Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Unit. The unit provides specialized training for law enforcement officers, investigative services in Fayette, Lamar and Pickens counties.
• Other organizations receiving a portion of the grant funds are the Montgomery Area Family Violence Program (Family Sunshine Center -$52,110, Elmore County Commission - $83,710, Talladega County Commission - $42,710, Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama - $67,110, Domestic Violence Intervention Center in East Alabama $28,110, YMCA Central Alabama - $33,110, Legal Services Alabama - $54,243, Columbus Alliance for Battered Women (Hope Harbour - $13,460, SafeHouse of Shelby County - $27,110 and Montgomery County Commission - $77,710.

ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell says the funds will assist in providing special skills and knowledge, "...to assist victims and prevent future offenses."