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Press Release

Castor Secures Funding For Hillsborough Family Justice Center; Pinellas At-Risk Youth

Washington, June 18, 2009
Although Hillsborough County was forced to cut funding to the Family Justice Center, Congresswoman Kathy Castor today is securing $300,000 for domestic violence victims served by the center. Castor also is securing $300,000 for the Pinellas County At-Risk Youth Diversion and Recidivism Prevention Project, which provides help for teens in need.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Although Hillsborough County was forced to cut funding to the Family Justice Center, Congresswoman Kathy Castor today is securing $300,000 for domestic violence victims served by the center. Castor also is securing $300,000 for the Pinellas County At-Risk Youth Diversion and Recidivism Prevention Project, which provides help for teens in need.

 

“Our local governments are making painful cuts,” Castor said. “I am thrilled that our community will receive money to help domestic violence victims and our youth.”

 

The funding was included in the FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill, which is expected to be approved by the House today.

 

The Family Justice Center is a one-stop shop for victims of domestic violence, offering legal services, counseling, child care and other resources. The center also offers emergency transportation, financial assistance and relocation help.

 

“This funding will allow us to continue to serve the thousands of families that come through our center every year,” said Nikki Daniels, executive director of Family Justice Center. “With this funding, we’re able to help families find safety and healing in their lives.”

 

The Pinellas County At-Risk Youth Diversion and Recidivism Prevention initiative is designed to lower the recidivism rate and to stem the number of teens incarcerated in Pinellas County Jail and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice’s Juvenile Detention Center. The pilot is expected to help approximately 100 youth.

 

The appropriations bill will help local Tampa Bay area governments as they grapple with severe budget cuts and shortfalls. The bill designates:

 

  • $802 million for the COPS initiative, which awards grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to hire community police officers.
  • $400 million to the Violence Against Women Programs, which, through the U.S. Department of Justice, work to reduce violence against women and bolster services to victims.
  • $529 million for Byrne Justice Grants, which awards money to states and local governments to fight crime, improve the criminal justice system and help crime victims. Last year Hillsborough County received more than $1.1 million through this initiative. The county has used the money to fund the purchase of police cars, bullet proof vests and K-9s.

“Keeping our children, victims of domestic violence and our overall community safe is an important priority,” Castor said. “As cities, counties and nonprofit agencies struggle through severe shortfalls, I am grateful to help through Congressional action.”