As
Joblessness Rises, Leahy Announces More Than $1 Million
In Economic Recovery Funds
For Children And Crime Victims In Vermont
(THURSDAY, March 12) – Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)
announced Thursday that Vermont will receive more than $1 million in
federal grants to provide key services for victims of crime and to
protect children against online predators. Leahy secured the
funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which was
signed into law Feb. 17.
Vermont will receive $541,000 in assistance programs
to aid victims of crimes that include assault, fraud, elder abuse,
domestic and sexual violence and child abuse – crimes that often rise
when the economy sours and joblessness climbs. The grants will
help Vermont victims assistance providers in responding to emotional and
physical needs of victims, assisting victims in stabilizing their lives,
helping victims understand the justice system, and helping victims with
safety and security. Vermont will receive an additional $58,000
for victim compensation services that help crime victims with medical
care, mental health counseling, lost wages and other costs.
Vermont will receive more than $437,000 for the
Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program, which helps
state and local law enforcement agencies effectively respond to cyber
enticement and child pornography cases. This funding can be used
for forensic examinations, investigations and community education.
Leahy said, “Serious cuts in funding to support
assistance programs have left crime victims and children more vulnerable
than ever before. We must ensure that victims of crime do not also
become victims of our struggling economy.”
On March 3 Leahy announced that Vermont has received
nearly $5 million in Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG)
under the economic recovery plan. The JAG grants allow state and local
governments to support a wide range of programs to prevent crime and
improve the criminal justice system. Leahy is the chairman of the
Senate Judiciary Committee and a senior member of the Senate
Appropriations Committee. During congressional negotiations on the
stimulus package, Leahy led in supporting funding support for state and
local law enforcement agencies and for crime victims’ services. In
a Judiciary Committee hearing January 8 chaired by Leahy, Burlington
Police Chief Michael Schirling, who leads the ICAC task force in
Vermont, and other witnesses testified about the importance of federal
assistance to state and local law enforcement, especially during
difficult economic times.
# # # # #
