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Victims of domestic violence in Logan County have had to travel at least 30 miles to seek emergency shelter, but a $416,676 grant from the Ohio Attorney General’s Expanding Services and Empowering Victims Initiative is changing that.

Consolidated Care Inc., a mental-health care provider in Bellefontaine, is using the money to establish a local shelter for those seeking to get away from an abuser.

"No matter where you live in this state, we want victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes to have access to the essential services needed to report crimes, seek justice, and recover," said Attorney General Mike DeWine. "Through this initiative, we will help crime victim service agencies throughout the state enhance the essential services they already provide to crime victims in Ohio, while also funding brand new programs that will help empower survivors to overcome their victimization." 

The Ohio Attorney General's Expanding Services and Empowering Victims Initiative, announced on Oct. 7, is aimed at starting new victim service programs, enhancing victim services already available in Ohio, and empowering survivors. The Attorney General’s office is providing up to $70 million in grants to crime victim service providers throughout the state.
 
The grant money comes from federal court settlements, fines and fees – not tax dollars – so that fines paid by criminals are used to pay for services for victims.

Jeannie Dempster, CEO of Consolidated Care Inc., said, “This grant will enable Consolidated Care to provide a much needed shelter, locally in Logan County, to our residents who have been victimized by domestic violence and sexual assault.”

Last year, the New Directions program of Consolidated Care served a 206 domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. Although options for shelters outside of the community have been made available, individuals and families have found it difficult to use them because they are too far away from their work, school, child care, medical appointments, counseling, and legal obligations.

The new Logan County shelter, which is to open this month, will be a 24-hour emergency location providing food, clothing, and personal items for survivors’ immediate needs. It will also offer crisis intervention. Up to 15 individuals or about five families can be served at a time.

The shelter staff will provide access to resources through other community agencies and provide help with housing, education, and employment opportunities.

Of the $51 million in grants announced by the Attorney General in October, an estimated $15 million will go toward providing services to domestic violence victims, and almost $10 million will go to prosecutor-based programs. Additional money will assist agencies that provide services to at-risk youth and human trafficking victims, court appointed special advocates, and child advocacy centers.  

VOCA grant funding is also being used for the Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Expansion Program (SAEP), an effort to increase the core services provided to sexual assault survivors throughout Ohio.

To be considered as a core services provider, a county has to have at least six programs to directly help sexual assault victims and five administration components.

In 2013, only 35 counties in Ohio provided all core sexual assault services, eight provided none.

The Attorney General’s Office plans to administer an evaluation at the beginning of 2016 and is expected to find that more than 70 counties now provide all core services.

To receive help or information from the Attorney General’s Crime Victim Services Section, call 614-644-8392.