FRANKFORT, KY - Justice and Public Safety Secretary J. Michael Brown today announced that funding is available through the Cabinet for programs that offer direct services to victims of violent crime.  Applications for the funding, which is received through the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), are due by June 13, 2008.  And for the first time, applications must be submitted online.

The VOCA program provides hands-on assistance and direct services to victims of crime, such as crisis intervention and follow-up; therapy; group counseling; information and referral; court advocacy; and assistance with victim compensation claims. Eligible applicants include private/non-profit programs such as domestic violence shelters; child advocacy centers; rape crisis centers; prosecutorial and crisis intervention programs; and other advocacy programs that currently provide or want to provide direct service to victims of violent crime.

Beginning this year, all applications must be submitted via the online Kentucky Justice Grants Management System (GMS).  Applicants are strongly encouraged to establish a user account and familiarize themselves with the system well in advance of the due date.  Please note: validation of new user accounts will take 48-72 hours.  Online training videos and a user manual are available by following the links on the Grants Management Branch webpage, http://justice.ky.gov/departments/gmb.

Applications and related information may be obtained by following the links on the Grants Management Branch webpage, http://justice.ky.gov/departments/gmb. Awards are scheduled to be announced in September 2008. 

Assistance with the new application process may be obtained by contacting Grants Management Branch staff at (502) 564-3251 or askgmb@ky.gov.