(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced over $2.5 million in grants for victim service agencies to support victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funding comes from the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) supplemental funding federal grant program. This ARPA supplemental funding for FVPSA is separate from the ARPA funding recently announced for law enforcement and first responders.
Administered by the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), the FVPSA federal grant program is the primary federal funding stream dedicated to the support of emergency shelter and related assistance for victims of domestic violence and their children. In total, 42 grants were awarded to 40 local agencies in 35 counties.
“We are happy to provide this funding to help advocates of all professional disciplines work together to respond to family violence and provide coordinated services that improve the public understanding of family violence and enhance all services for victims and their children,” said Governor DeWine.
Funding will support the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of programs and projects to:
- prevent incidents of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence.
- provide immediate shelter, supportive services, and access to community-based programs for victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents.
- provide specialized services for children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, underserved populations, and victims who are members of racial and ethnic minority populations.
For a complete list of agencies receiving grants and the amounts, please visit: https://www.ocjs.ohio.gov/links/ocjs-fvpsa-arp-awards-2021.pdf.