MONTGOMERY— Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling $239,813 to help four nonprofit organizations in north Alabama continue providing services to domestic violence and crime victims.
“Victims of crime or abuse deserve to have access to professional services in a timely manner,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend these organizations for services and assistance that they provide to victims.”
A $79,713 grant will enable Thrive Alabama to expand mental-health services to victims of crime in Colbert, Cullman, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston counties. Thrive Alabama focuses on health services for marginalized populations and operates four medical clinics, including two in rural areas. Local matching funds of $19,928 will supplement the grant.
Safeplace, Inc. is using funds of $44,000 to continue providing domestic violence victims in Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Winston and Marion counties with legal assistance as they seek to escape abusive situations. Safeplace will also provide school-based violence prevention programs.
A $56,000 grant will help Crisis Services of North Alabama continue its Forensic Nurse Examiner Program. This program ensures domestic violence victims receive forensic exams and follow-up care by specially trained nurses in Madison, Morgan, Jackson and Limestone counties.
Victim Services of Cullman Inc. will use $13,000 in grant funds to continue providing its Domestic Violence Intervention Program as well as education programs that promote healthy family and dating relationships.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Justice Department.
“Gov. Ivey and ADECA share a commitment to helping organizations that provide services for victims of domestic violence and work diligently to prosecute abusers,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “Our partnerships help to protect victims from further abuse and enable continued access to vital care and assistance.”
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
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Contact: Russell Sellers, Mike Presley