INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute awarded a $10,000 grant to the Vigo County Council on Domestic Abuse, Inc.
CODA was one of 28 domestic violence shelters in Indiana awarded a total of $500,000 through the Social Services Block Grant program. The funding will be used to provide emergency shelter to survivors of domestic violence and their dependents.
SSBG is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Supporting victim-serving organizations is foundational to our agency’s mission,” Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director, said. “These grants will better position Indiana’s domestic violence shelters to meet the needs of survivors across the state.”
Since the SSBG program was established in 1981, broad discretion has been given to states over the funding priorities. This year, the grants will be used to help offset the cost of certain operational expenses to include housing, food and other basic necessities.
In doing so, domestic violence shelters will have more flexibility and can potentially offer services in other areas, such as case management, legal advocacy and referral to other community resources, if needed.
“It’s important for families that are experiencing domestic violence to know that they have access to services and a safe environment,” said Kim Lambert, ICJI Victim Services Division Director. “We’re proud to come alongside dozens of organizations in Indiana that provide that frontline support.”
