RAWLINS — During the regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 19, the Rawlins City Council approved the submission of an application for the state of Wyoming Division of Victim Services’ Victim Crime Act/Violence Against Women Act (VOCA/VOWA) grant.
If the grant is awarded, the funds will be used by the Rawlins Police Department for the Victims Assistance Program. The grant will be used to pay for the training and salaries of two Victim’s Advocate positions: one full-time victim advocate (VA) and one part-time VA.
The total amount of the grant last year was $70,007. The total amount of this year’s grant will be unknown until the grant is awarded.
RPD Chief Michael Ward explained that they apply for this particular grant every two years.
“It’s on a two-year cycle,” Ward added. “The grant is administered through the Wyoming Division of Victim Services; it contains both federal and state money. On the off years, in between the years that we apply, we have to resubmit for money that is left over from the previous year to the state.
Currently, the Victims Assistance Program has one full-time VA coordinator, one full-time VA and one part-time VA.
“The grant, under the VOCA portion of it, does require a match from the city of 25%,” Ward said. “This is covered by the salary of the full-time VA coordinator.”
In addition to approving the application submission, the council voted to approve the city covering the 25% match.
“The Rawlins Police Victim Assistance Program provides advocacy for the victims of crime by providing 24/7 coverage to meet with victims, offer emotional support, guidance through the criminal justice system, assistance in recovering restitution and providing information and guidance on programs available to victims,” the agenda states. “The program provides critical support to victims and assures their well-being.”
According to the resolution approving the submission of the application, “The city of Rawlins recognizes the need to provide advocacy, informational services, criminal justice system navigation and emotional support to victims of crime.”
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