Westchester Insider: WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AWARDED MAJOR GRANTS FOR VICTIMS SERVICES BY NEW YORK STATE.

 

WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AWARDED MAJOR GRANTS FOR VICTIMS SERVICES BY NEW YORK STATE

 

(White Plains, NY) - The Westchester County Office for Women and the Westchester County Department of Probation were each awarded significant grants from the New York State Office of Victims Services (OVS) as part of its VOCA Victim Assistance Grant Program. The grants will provide critical resources for victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes and are in effect from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2028.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Over time and through the implementation of many innovative programs, Westchester County has distinguished itself as a lifeline for victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes. The reward for being an effective trailblazer in victim services is receiving these two important grant awards from OVS, which offer steady funding for the next three years. I want to congratulate the Office for Women and the Department of Probation for their tireless dedication to the needs of crime victims. Together, these two grants signal NYS’ acknowledgement of Westchester County as a leader in victim services.”

The Office for Women was awarded $142,534.05 per year, totaling $427,602.15, and will use this funding to enhance services of the Westchester County Family Justice Center (FJC), located in the Westchester County Courthouse in White Plains. The FJC offers free, comprehensive and confidential services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, elder abuse and stalking. The grant will also support a new, full-time Domestic Violence Housing Advocate to provide direct services, including counseling, crisis intervention, information and referral, ongoing safety planning, individual advocacy and support, court accompaniment, and assistance with housing applications and placement. The FJC is located at the Westchester County Court Complex with free child care and Spanish-speaking staff available.

The Department of Probation was awarded $140,782.48 per year, totaling $422,347.44, and will be used to enhance outreach to crime victims, connect victims to needed services, assist victims with filing claims for victim compensation and completing victim impact statements, and to increase efforts to collect and return restitution to victims. This funding will also allow the DOP to assist victims by providing personal and household essentials during the legal process, including pre-paid cell phones to domestic violence victims if their offender has damaged or taken their cell phone and bus passes for travel to and from court appearances.

Westchester County Office for Women Director Robi Schlaff said: “We are pleased that the FJC will now be able to provide more individualized assistance with housing options for victims and their families. Victims impacted by violence have expressed that their ability to secure safe and affordable housing, or to stay in their home safely, is the number one obstacle they face.”

Westchester County Department of Probation Commissioner Rocco Pozzi said: “I am extremely pleased that the State has recognized the Westchester County Probation Department as a key player in providing services to victims. These additional funds will allow us to expand our efforts to protect victims of crime and meet the many needs they face.”