MONTGOMERY—Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $146,025 grant to create a new collaborative effort among government and non-government service providers throughout the state to assist victims of violent crime.
The Alabama Office of the Attorney General is using grant funds to establish the State Victim Assistance Academy which will create a trauma-informed curriculum that will be taught to service providers around the state in four, once-a-year regional trainings. The first training will be held in Montgomery with other potential sites in the Huntsville, Birmingham and Mobile and/or Dothan areas. Participation will be a strong determinate when deciding where to conduct the training. The dates are yet to be determined.
“Having a common curriculum to serve those victimized by violent crime will put all service providers on the same page,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to help establish this new program so that victims in our state will get the same quality care regardless of where they live.”
The funds will also be used for administrative costs, personnel expenses, trainers and other costs to make the Academy free for victim service providers.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Justice Department.
“ADECA and I stand with Gov. Ivey in her commitment to helping violent crime victims have access to the same high-quality assistance regardless of where they live in Alabama,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
Ivey notified Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall that the grant had been approved.
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Contact: Russell Sellers, Mike Presley