Attorney General Hardy Myers today announced the distribution of more than $980,000 to new projects in Oregon that will enhance the level of services available to crime victims. Under the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant program, $986,364 will be distributed to 56 projects in 30 Oregon counties. Myers expects the grants to assist in providing services to thousands of crime victims across the state.
"Without these funds, many Oregonians would not have access to important services and innovative programs that assist crime victims," Myers said.
Awarded annually, Victims of Crime Act funds supplement efforts to fund programs that provide services to crime victims. The funds are generated entirely by fines, penalty assessments, forfeited bonds and "literary profits" collected by the federal government from convicted federal criminals. A wide range of programs benefit from the funds, including programs that assist crime victims in overcoming the emotional trauma of victimization and programs that ensure crime victims are educated and receive notice about various criminal justice proceedings and services.
In addition to funding 56 new projects, Myers earlier this year approved the distribution of $1.7 million in continuation grants to projects already benefiting from the VOCA grant program.
Sharing in this year's distribution is a Eugene-based program that uses self-defense training to help victims of sexual assault feel more comfortable with themselves and their environment. New project funding also will result in the hiring of a mental health professional in Linn County to assist families and child victims of sexual assault and will enable Clackamas County to hire a victim advocate to provide effective client assistance for the collection of current and delinquent compensatory fines and restitution awards. Moreover, Klamath County will benefit from the services of a sexual assault victim advocate and Washington County will hire a full time crime victim program educator/volunteer coordinator.
To be eligible for funding, a program must provide direct services to victims and fall into at least one of five categories: child abuse; domestic violence; sexual abuse; general (victim) assistance or previously underserved. The previously underserved category includes programs that provide services to victims of hate and bias crimes, gang violence, elder abuse, homicide and driving under the influence of intoxicants.
A five-member advisory panel reviewed 73 applications and made funding recommendations to Myers. With some exceptions, both the new project awards and continuation grants are valid for one year. A complete list of new project recipients, organized by county, is attached. Please contact grant recipients directly for information about their projects.
2000 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) New Project Grant Recipients
Note: dollar amounts are rounded to the nearest hundred.
Baker
Mayday, Inc: $16,400
Benton
Benton County Victim Assistance: $3,300
Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence: $15,000
Clackamas
Clackamas Community Corrections: $13,900
Clackamas County District Attorney: $31,000 (for two projects)
Clackamas Women's Services: $22,000
Clatsop
Clatsop County Women's Resource Center: $5,500
Columbia
Columbia County District Attorney: $22,600
Columbia County Women's Resource Center: $22,700
Coos
Coos County Women's Crisis Service: $5,800
Curry
Curry County District Attorney: $9,600
Deschutes
Central Oregon Battering and Rape Alliance: $13,200
Grant
Grant County District Attorney: $5,000
Harney
Harney Helping Organization: $25,900
Hood River
Project Helping Hands Against Violence: $21,600
Jackson
Community Works: $21,200
Jackson County Child Abuse Task Force: $12,300
Jackson County District Attorney: $19,000
Jackson Southern Oregon Child Study and Treatment Center: $50,000
Jefferson
Jefferson County District Attorney: $4,500
Josephine
Josephine County District Attorney: $6,500
Women's Coalition of Josephine County: $3,000
Klamath
Klamath Crisis Center: $42,900 (two projects)
Lane
Child Advocacy Center of Lane County: $25,000
Lane County Crime Victim and Survivor: $8,800
Sexual Assault Support Services: $30,000
Siuslaw Area Women's Center: $23,800
Voices of Oregon: $5,000
Womenspace: $30,000
Lincoln
Lincoln County Children's Advocacy Center: $6,800
Linn
ABC House: $40,400
Malheur
Project DOVE: $15,000
Marion
Liberty House: $46,300
Marion County District Attorney: $20,500
Mid-Valley Women's Crisis Service: $8,700
Multnomah
Elders in Action: $21,300
Oregon Human Development Corporation: $50,000
Portland Women's Crisis Center: $6,600
Volunteers of America of Oregon, Inc.: $16,900
YWCA of Greater Portland: $13,000
Polk
Polk County District Attorney: $15,000
SABLE House: $15,000
Tillamook
Tillamook County District Attorney: $11,200
Umatilla
Umatilla County District Attorney: $30,000
Union
Shelter from the Storm: $23,000
Union County District Attorney: $3,500
Wallowa
Safe Harbors: $8,100 (two projects)
Wallowa County District Attorney: $4,300
Wasco
HAVEN from Domestic Violence: $10,600
Washington
Rape Crisis Center, Inc.: $16,500
Washington County Department of Aging and Veterans: $60,000
Yamhill
Henderson House: $8,600
Yamhill County District Attorney: $19,300