Oct. 21, 2004 Three local government departments recently received federal grants distributed by the Law Enforcement Planning Commission, announced Gov. Charles Turnbull in a news release issued Wednesday. The Victims of Crime grants come from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime.
The Division of Children, Youth and Families in the Human Services Department received a grant of $57,432. The grant funds recruitment and training of foster parents and foster family units on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. Victims will be provided counseling and support services. Foster parents will be trained to create positive environments for victims.
The Police Department received $78,030 grant to underwrite Victim/Witness Advocates for St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix. The grant is intended to ensure that safety, access, information, support, continuity, a voice, and justice needs of all crime victims are met. The advocates serve as conduits and liaisons among the Police Department, the Justice Department and the victim advocacy agencies.
The Women's Coalition of St. Croix received a $178,544 to help crime victims. It will provide counseling services and support to all crime victims in an effort to stabilize them following a crime. The agency provides a personal visit by trained volunteers.
The governor also announced that October is Virgin Islands Family Month.
"Family month affords us the opportunity to frankly face and assess the quality of family life in our community. The family is the foundation of a strong and healthy community," he said.
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