The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet is seeking a consultant to act as the State Victim Liaison (SVL).  The SVL will work to identify existing resources as well as gaps in the continuum of care for rural victims of crime throughout the Commonwealth, and to work collaboratively with the KJPSC and other stakeholders to distinguish appropriate solutions. The candidate will be identified and retained through the state's existing procurement process overseen by the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet. The consultant, who will receive a subaward, will be responsible for acting as a liaison with local organizations, stakeholders and the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.

Evidence suggests that resources and advocacy should be available for all victims; however, a need for support and services may be even greater for those who reside in rural locations. In addition to physical and geographic isolation, rural victims face an array of additional barriers when compared to their urban peers, including a lack of transportation and childcare, a greater likelihood of experiencing poverty, a lack of economic opportunities and higher rates of substance abuse and disability. Additionally, rural victims frequently have to travel long distances to access resources, and the agencies themselves are often not equivalent to those that operate in more populated areas. 

The presence of a State Victim Liaison will significantly expand the support available to Kentucky's agencies and provide the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and other stakeholders a better understanding of the needs of rural victims and the realities that impact their ability to access high-quality programming. In addition, the candidate will provide personalized, direct support and mentorship for stakeholders and agencies serving rural victims of crime, as well as training, technical assistance, and support for staff providing direct services, and interaction with other stakeholders such as law enforcement, units of local government and community members.