Posted: October 17, 2007 14:37:38 PST
A federal grant of nearly $300,000 recently was awarded to the City of Bellingham to help criminal justice agencies in the six small cities of Whatcom County improve responses to domestic violence incidents and expand services and increase safety for victims.
The $270,685 two-year grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, to the City of Bellingham in partnership with the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence. The Commission will be the lead agency to coordinate implementation of grant-funded projects. This is the second grant awarded to the City of Bellingham as part of the Grants to Encourage Arrest Programs in the Office on Violence Against Women.
Commission Director Sue Parrott said this significant funding will help ensure comprehensive services are offered to domestic violence victims throughout Whatcom County. Activities the grant will fund include a full-time, system-based domestic violence advocate who will work with domestic violence victims involved in the criminal justice system in the cities of Blaine, Ferndale, Everson-Nooksack, Lynden and Sumas. The advocate will ensure that domestic violence victims are well informed and involved in their criminal case, as well as linked with community services and resources.
The grant also will provide continuation funding for a 24-hour on-call domestic violence advocacy service that is triggered by a law enforcement request at the scene of a domestic violence incident.
"The grant award recognizes the work of the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence on a national level," Bellingham Police Chief Randy Carroll said. "It also validates all of our collective efforts to address domestic violence in our communities. As a result of this grant award the Commission can move forward on strategic plan initiatives for all of Whatcom County and our municipalities."
Everson Police Chief Erik Ramstead is excited to be part of this project. "The ability to offer real-time advocacy to victims of these crimes is a service that we hope will not only augment law enforcement response to domestic violence but serve as an empowerment tool to the victims as well. We are extremely fortunate in this county to have an active Domestic Violence Commission that coordinates these types of projects."
Jennifer Tepker, Prosecutor for the Cities of Blaine and Everson, echoed these sentiments. "In my experience, victims are confused after the police leave. Some don't even know a prosecutor has been assigned or how to reach the prosecutor. A system-based advocate will help ensure that victims have full information and are heard at all stages in the criminal process, regardless of the actions I might recommend."
Karen Burke, Executive Director, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County (DVSAS) said her agency is pleased to receive continued funding.
Burke said the portion of the grant directed to DVSAS will provide victims with immediate, on-scene advocacy in the critical moments following the arrest of a perpetrator. She said these first steps are frightening and confusing for victims. Immediate advocacy services helps them begin the process of assessing safety, identifying options and accessing services.
"This project will help our agency and our community reach out immediately to those victims who are most at risk," she said. "This project will save lives."
Carroll will present information about the grant award to the Bellingham City Council at the Council's regular meeting on October 22.
Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies Program
Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice
Applicant: City of Bellingham in partnership with the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence
Award: $270,685
Grant Period: July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2009
Goal #1: Continue and enhance 24 hour on-call community based domestic violence advocacy services to rural Whatcom County.
Amount: $30,000
Agency Responsible: Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services
Activities:
Goal #2: To increase victim safety and offender accountability in domestic and dating violence cases in the five outlying municipalities of Whatcom County. (Blaine, Everson-Nooksack, Ferndale, Lynden, and Sumas)
Amount: $233,185
Agency Responsible: Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission Against DV
Activities:
Fiscal Oversight
Amount: $7,500
Agency Responsible: City of Bellingham
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Media Contact:
Sue Parrott, Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence, 360-312-5700 ext. 202
Bellingham Police Chief Randy Carroll, 360-676-6920
Karen Burke, Executive Director, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County (DVSAS), 360-671-5714
Everson Police Chief Erik Ramstead, 360-966-4212
Jennifer Tepker, Prosecutor, Cities of Blaine and Everson, 360-820-2399
