The state’s Office of Planning and Budget has been directed by Governor Brian Kemp to release an additional $26 million from the American Rescue Plan Act for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s (CJCC) Victim’s Services Grant.
The grant, which supports nonprofit organizations that provide services to victims of crime, has been in need of additional funding following cuts made by the federal government to the Crime Victims Fund, also known as Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds.
Following the addition of over $13.2 million in December for this fiscal year, the total amount of ARPA funding currently dedicated to this grant is $94,237,210.
In announcing the grant, Kemp blamed the Biden administration for cuts to the federal Crime Victims Fund. He failed to mention, however, that the ARPA funds paying for the state grants came from Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which he and other Republican leaders opposed.
The Victim’s Services Grant provides critical support services to nonprofit organizations that work in domestic violence shelters, emergency shelter, case management, housing assistance, financial assistance, counseling, legal assistance, medical services, victim compensation, children’s services, transportation, employment services, and parenting/educational services.
The grant is one of several initiatives by the state to support victims of crime and ensure that access to justice and support services is available.
