Mayor Greg Nickels recently announced that the city was awarded two U.S. Department of Justice grants totaling nearly $1million to help victims of domestic violence. The two grants, from the Justice Department's Office of Violence Against Women, have a start-up date of Oct. 1.
"These federal funds will enhance our city's ability to provide top quality services to some of the most vulnerable members of our community - victims of domestic violence and their children," Nickels said.
The first grant is $748,000 for education, training, and enhanced services to end violence against women with disabilities. This three-year grant, one of only 12 awarded nationally this year, will be used to conduct cross-training for staff in domestic violence, mental health, and chemical dependency agencies in culturally appropriate services for victims of domestic violence who are disabled by mental health issues. Partner agencies for this project include King County Coalition against Domestic Violence, Sound Mental Health, Consejo Counseling and Referral Services, and Seattle Counseling Services for Sexual Minorities.
The second grant is $225,000 for transitional housing assistance for victims of domestic violence. This three-year project, Bridges to Housing, will provide rental assistance and supportive services for 18 families affected by domestic violence to help them make the transition into permanent housing over three years. Project partner agencies include New Beginnings, Salvation Army, International District Housing Alliance, and the Seattle Housing Authority.
For more information, please call the Seattle Human Services Department's Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Division at 206-684-4691.[[In-content Ad]]
