Local organizations among those who received $16 million in grant awards for West Virginia victims of crime – My Buckhannon

Report on West Virginia’s VOCA Grant Allocation and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A total of $16,327,849 in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants has been allocated to 83 projects across West Virginia. The funding, originating from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime and administered by the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services, is designated for organizations providing direct services to victims of crime. This initiative significantly contributes to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by strengthening justice systems, promoting well-being, and reducing inequalities for vulnerable populations.

Alignment with Key Sustainable Development Goals

The allocation of these VOCA grants demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing the following SDGs:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The core objective of the grants is to enhance access to justice for victims of crime. Services such as court accompaniment, legal advocacy, victim notification, and assistance with compensation claims directly support Target 16.3 (ensure equal access to justice for all) and Target 16.2 (end abuse, exploitation, and all forms of violence against children).
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: A substantial portion of the funding is directed towards organizations that combat domestic and sexual violence, such as Branches Domestic Violence Shelter and the Rape & Domestic Violence Information Center. This directly addresses Target 5.2, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: Many recipient organizations, including Mountain CAP and Harmony Mental Health, will use the funds to provide trauma-focused therapy, counseling, and mental health support. These services are critical for the physical and mental recovery of victims, aligning with Target 3.4 (promote mental health and well-being).
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The grants empower organizations to reach underserved and rural populations, ensuring that all victims, regardless of their location or background, have access to essential support services. This commitment helps fulfill Target 10.2 by promoting the social inclusion of vulnerable groups.

Detailed Grant Allocation

The following is a comprehensive list of the 83 projects funded by the VOCA grants:

1. A Child’s Place CASA – $49,384
   To support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children.
2. Barbour County Commission – $38,856
   To assist victims of crime with court notification, personal advocacy, information, referrals, transportation, and victim compensation fund applications.
3. Branches Domestic Violence Shelter – $661,784
   For crisis intervention services, a hotline, legal advocacy, counseling, outreach, support groups, and assistance with housing, employment, and medical needs for crime victims.
4. Burlington United Methodist Family Services – $78,763
   To provide intake, investigation, and follow-up services for victims of child abuse in Hampshire, Mineral, and Pendleton counties.
5. Cabell County Commission – $212,462
   To provide direct services such as crisis intervention, criminal justice support, advocacy, and assistance in filing crime victim compensation claims.
6. CASA for Children – $191,536
   For recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers to represent the best interest of abused and neglected children in court.
7. CASA of Marion County – $91,078
   For recruiting and training community volunteers to advocate for the best interest of child victims in civil abuse and neglect proceedings.
8. CASA of New River – $82,181
   To provide court-appointed advocacy to children who are victims of abuse, neglect, or impacted by domestic violence and substance abuse.
9. CASA of the Greenbrier Valley – $89,003
   To increase advocacy services for child victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.
10. CASA of the Eastern Panhandle – $341,676
    For recruiting, training, and empowering community volunteers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
11. CHANGE, Inc. – $121,739
    To ensure abused children receive child-centered services that focus on their individual needs through a coordinated service response.
12. CHANGE, Inc. – $56,131
    To provide free, confidential, 24-hour specialized services to domestic violence victims, including crisis intervention and community referrals.
13. CAMC Health Education & Research Institute – $277,306
    To provide quality victim advocacy and forensic interviewing services to child victims of abuse.
14. Child and Youth Advocacy Center – $202,638
    To provide direct services to victims of child abuse and support the agency’s mission of ending child abuse.
15. Child Protect of Mercer County – $142,350
    To mend the lives of child victims of abuse through the funding of various positions and expenses at the Mercer County Child Advocacy Center.
16. ChildLaw Services – $160,262
    To provide legal, social, and therapeutic services to child victims of domestic violence, neglect, and physical/sexual abuse.
17. Children’s Home Society of West Virginia – $199,092
    To encourage and facilitate the multidisciplinary team approach to the investigation and response to child abuse allegations.
18. Comprehensive Women’s Service Council – $549,725
    To provide direct services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault with an emphasis on outreach.
19. CONTACT Huntington – $539,830
    To provide free and confidential direct advocacy and support services for victims of sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking.
20. Cornerstone Family Interventions – $148,541
    To provide services to the victims of crime regardless of their ability to pay for services rendered or the availability of insurance.
21. Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center – $656,215
    To provide victims and survivors the resources necessary to effectively cope with the personal, social, emotional, and legal ramifications of victimization.
22. Family Counseling Connection – $311,477
    To provide therapy services to victims of crime.
23. Family Crisis Center – $298,866
    To continue providing direct services to victims of violent crimes and to provide public awareness and network on behalf of victims.
24. Family Crisis Intervention Center of Region V – $358,323
    To provide direct service advocates who will provide allowable trauma-informed core services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking.
25. Family Refuge Center – $547,343
    To provide direct services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse in later life, exploitation, stalking, and dating violence.
26. Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area, Inc. – $108,459
    To provide therapy to victims of violence, sexual/physical abuse, spousal abuse, and survivors of childhood trauma.
27. Greenbrier County Commission – $42,093
    To provide direct services to victims of crime via a prosecution-based advocate and provide institutional and legal information for victims.
28. Greenbrier County Commission – $45,861
    To support a victim advocate in the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department to serve as a guide, liaison, and contact person for victims.
29. Hancock County Commission – $157,848
    To provide assistance and support to all victims of crime in Hancock, Brooke, and Ohio Counties.
30. Harmony House – $172,532
    To provide a victim-centered approach to victim services to reduce the effect of crime on children and adults with developmental disabilities.
31. Harmony Mental Health – $277,875
    To increase access to trauma-informed professionals, therapeutic and medication management, supportive counseling, and group services for victims of crime.
32. Harrison County CASA Program – $121,831
    To fund critical advocacy for children named in child abuse and neglect proceedings.
33. Harrison County Child Advocacy Center – $328,120
    To increase support to child victims of crime and their protecting caregivers by providing a coordinated, comprehensive response to allegations of child maltreatment.
34. HOPE Inc. Task Force on Domestic Violence – $569,864
    To provide comprehensive services to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse victims, including those in underserved population groups.
35. Jackson County Commission – $35,588
    To provide direct services for victims of crimes including referrals, personal, court, and legal advocacy.
36. Jefferson County Commission – $111,256
    To provide direct services to all victims of crime, emphasizing serving the needs of victims of violent crimes and under-served populations.
37. Just for Kids – $312,418
    To provide direct services to children and families who are victims of sexual abuse and other criminal abuse.
38. Kanawha County Commission – $59,655
    To employ advocates at the Kanawha Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to ensure victims are informed and involved with the criminal justice system.
39. Kanawha County Commission – $100,350
    To provide direct services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and survivors of homicide victims.
40. Legal Aid of West Virginia – $740,455
    To collaborate with local victims’ programs to address service gaps and support victims with legal services.
41. Logan County Child Advocacy Center – $167,160
    To provide specialized services for child abuse victims, adult survivors of childhood abuse, and identified adult victims of violent crime.
42. Logan County Commission – $50,411
    To employ system-based victim advocates in the prosecutor’s office to provide victims information, notification, and referrals.
43. Logan County Commission – $36,881
    To fund one full-time victim advocate in the sheriff’s department to provide direct services to victims of crime.
44. Marion County Children’s Advocacy Center – $161,167
    To provide forensic interviews, victim advocacy, case coordination, and supportive services for child victims of sexual and physical abuse.
45. Marion County Commission – $58,812
    To provide direct services to all crime victims in the county to help navigate the judicial system.
46. Mason County Commission – $42,266
    To fund one full-time victim advocate who provides information, direction, and support to crime victims during the judicial process.
47. Mercer County Commission – $165,687
    To guide and serve all victims of crime and survivors through the complex criminal justice process.
48. Mineral County CASA – $132,282
    To recruit and train community-based volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children within the Mineral County circuit courts.
49. Mingo County Commission – $30,899
    To employ a full-time victim advocate in the prosecutor’s office to assist victims through the judicial process.
50. Mingo County Commission – $25,248
    To employ a full-time victim advocate in the sheriff’s department to assist victims at the onset of a case.
51. Monongalia Child Advocacy Center – $256,105
    To provide forensic interviewing, family advocacy, and therapy to child abuse victims to promote resiliency.
52. Monongalia County Commission – $122,587
    To provide support/information services to victims through advocacy, crisis intervention, and referrals.
53. Monongalia County Youth Services Center – $174,387
    To provide consistency and support to children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse and neglect.
54. Mothers Against Drunk Driving – $46,958
    To provide direct support to victims of impaired driving crashes and DWI/child endangerment crimes.
55. Mountain CAP of West Virginia – $83,328
    To provide forensic interviewing, support and resources for children and their non-offending caregivers, referrals, trauma-focused therapy, and outreach.
56. Nicholas County Family Resource Network – $110,256
    To support a well-trained, highly functioning multi-disciplinary team for victim services.
57. North Star Child Advocacy Center – $221,591
    To provide a child-friendly, safe, and neutral environment for forensic interviews with children who are alleged victims of abuse.
58. Ohio County Commission – $38,235
    To offer guidance, support, and assistance to victims of crime through information and advocacy.
59. Preston County Commission – $43,100
    To employ a victim advocate to assist all crime victims who are predominately underserved.
60. Putnam County Commission – $35,127
    To employ staff at the prosecutor’s office to aid victims of all crimes regarding their rights and resources.
61. Putnam County Commission – $67,470
    To employ a position at the sheriff’s office to act as a direct and immediate line to victims for accessing victims’ services.
62. Randolph County Children’s Advocacy Center – $121,084
    To provide expanded intervention, support, and advocacy to children who have been victims and their non-offending caregivers.
63. Randolph County Commission – $46,213
    To continue to provide support, advocacy, and information to victims of crime throughout the judicial process.
64. Rape & Domestic Violence Information Center – $645,793
    To provide community-based, comprehensive programs for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.
65. REACHH Family Resource Center – $69,178
    To provide child victims of abuse and domestic violence with counseling, case management, forensic interviews, and advocacy.
66. Roane County Commission – $27,300
    To employ a full-time victim advocate in the prosecutor’s office to assist victims of crime.
67. STOP Abusive Family Environments – $411,171
    To provide services of advocacy, crisis intervention, case management, and emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse.
68. Stop the Hurt – $79,233
    To provide advocacy to child victims and their families with forensic interviews, forensic medical exams, and home visits.
69. Team for West Virginia Children – $497,075
    To provide direct services to approximately 950 child abuse victims by supporting trained CASA volunteers.
70. Tug Valley Recovery Shelter Association – $209,694
    To provide an array of services 24/7 to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
71. Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center – $267,894
    To provide free, confidential, and comprehensive services to victims of sexual violence.
72. Upshur County Commission – $37,630
    To provide crime victims notification of criminal charges, personal safety planning, court accompaniment, and referrals.
73. Voices for Children – $98,608
    To advocate for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.
74. West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation – $101,782
    To provide direct services throughout the state while networking with county prosecutors and law enforcement agencies to better assist victims.
75. West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information Services – $256,728
    To broaden the range of services available by trained, trauma-informed professionals to sexual assault victims.
76. Wetzel County Commission – $80,903
    To provide support to child victims of abuse and their protective caregivers by ensuring access to all CAC core services.
77. Women’s Aid in Crisis – $586,306
    To provide direct services, including shelter and a 24/7 crisis hotline, to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking.
78. Wood County Commission – $71,600
    To employ a full-time victim advocate and an assistant victim advocate to serve approximately 5,500 crime victims.
79. West Virginia Child Advocacy Network – $204,112
    To support a comprehensive, statewide project aimed at expanding child advocacy services to underserved areas.
80. West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence – $243,750
    To provide direct legal services, housing, and emergency financial assistance to survivors and victims of crime.
81. Wyoming County Commission – $31,833
    To provide victims with criminal justice and personal advocacy support services, crisis counseling, and education about their rights.
82. YWCA of Wheeling – $266,533
    To provide safety and victim services through Madden House Emergency Safe Shelter and bring awareness to domestic violence.
83. YWCA of Charleston – $312,656
    To provide both emergency and comprehensive support services to victims of domestic violence.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses the allocation of Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds to various organizations in West Virginia. The services provided by these organizations connect to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at promoting well-being, justice, and equality.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This is the most central SDG addressed. The entire article focuses on funding projects that support victims of crime, enhance their access to the justice system, and provide them with necessary resources. The funds are explicitly for “assistance to victims as they move through the criminal justice system,” which directly aligns with building effective and accountable institutions that provide justice for all.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  Many of the funded organizations specifically target victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking, which are crimes that disproportionately affect women and girls. For example, organizations like “Branches Domestic Violence Shelter,” “Rape & Domestic Violence Information Center,” and “Women’s Aid in Crisis” are dedicated to eliminating violence against women, a key component of SDG 5.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article highlights that the funds will be used for services such as “trauma-focused therapy,” “counseling,” and support for “emotional” needs. Organizations like “Mountain CAP of West Virginia” and “Harmony Mental Health” provide therapeutic services, directly contributing to the mental health and well-being of crime survivors, which is a crucial aspect of SDG 3.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The grants aim to provide services to all victims, with a specific focus on vulnerable and “underserved populations.” For instance, “HOPE Inc. Task Force on Domestic Violence” and the “Jefferson County Commission” mention providing services to underserved groups. By ensuring that victims of crime, including children, the elderly, and those in rural areas, have access to support and justice, the initiative works towards reducing inequalities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the services and objectives described in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The funding supports organizations that provide crisis intervention, personal safety planning, and shelter, which are direct responses to violence and aim to mitigate its effects and prevent further harm.
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. A large number of recipients are Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) and CASA programs (e.g., “A Child’s Place CASA,” “Child Protect of Mercer County”) that are explicitly dedicated to providing forensic interviewing, advocacy, and support for child victims of abuse and neglect.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and local levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The funds are used for “court accompaniment,” “legal advocacy,” assistance with “victim impact statements,” and helping victims navigate the “criminal justice system.” This is exemplified by the work of “Legal Aid of West Virginia” and various County Commissions that employ victim advocates within prosecutors’ offices.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. The article repeatedly mentions funding for services for victims of “domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking.” Organizations like “CONTACT Huntington” and “STOP Abusive Family Environments” directly address these forms of gender-based violence.

3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being. The provision of “trauma-focused therapy,” “counseling,” and “support groups” by organizations such as “Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area, Inc.” and “Family Counseling Connection” directly contributes to this target by addressing the psychological trauma experienced by victims of crime.

4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. The article mentions that funds will serve “underserved population groups” and victims “regardless of their ability to pay.” This commitment to providing equitable access to support services for vulnerable groups aligns with the goal of promoting inclusion and reducing inequality.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several qualitative and quantitative measures that can be used to track progress towards the identified targets:

• Number of victims receiving services: The article mentions that 83 projects are being funded to provide direct services. For example, “Wood County Commission” aims to serve “approximately 5,500 crime victims,” and “Team for West Virginia Children” will provide services to “approximately 950 child abuse victims.” Tracking the total number of individuals assisted would be a key indicator.
• Provision of legal and justice system support: The number of victims receiving “court accompaniment,” “legal advocacy,” assistance with “victim compensation fund applications,” and “restitution” can be measured. The funding for prosecutor-based and sheriff-based victim advocates across multiple counties (e.g., Upshur, Greenbrier, Logan) directly supports this.
• Availability of mental health and support services: Progress can be measured by the number of victims who access “counseling,” “trauma-focused therapy,” and “support groups.” The funding allocated to organizations like “Harmony Mental Health” for these specific services provides a basis for this measurement.
• Access to shelter and housing: The number of victims provided with “emergency shelter” and “assistance with housing” is a tangible indicator. Organizations like “Branches Domestic Violence Shelter” and “YWCA of Wheeling” explicitly receive funds for these purposes.
• Support for child victims: The number of abused and neglected children supported by “court-appointed volunteer advocacy” (CASA) and the number of “forensic interviews” conducted at Child Advocacy Centers are specific, measurable indicators of progress towards ending child abuse.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: mybuckhannon.com