CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH - The Cuyahoga County Department of Public Safety and Justice Services, through a grant awarded by the Ohio Criminal Justice Services, is awarding a total of $546,379 to four local organizations and two municipalities through the STOP Violence Against Women Act (STOP VAWA) to support victims of domestic violence and survivors of sexual assault. The Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center, a new recipient of the County’s STOP VAWA funding, will receive $25,000 through the grant award for its Deaf Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Advocacy Project.

The Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center provides services to deaf victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by providing advocates to assist victims with social, legal, and medical referrals and services. The County’s funding will assist with employing a social worker who will provide trauma-informed case management, accompany clients to court or health care appointments, assist in securing civil protection orders, help clients make safety plans, and support clients in securing income, employment, and shelter to gain independence from abusers.

“Cuyahoga County is proud to be part of this important initiative. STOP VAWA continues to be instrumental in enhancing and improving our response to protecting women and children from abuse and violence,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish. “I am especially pleased to see the County’s funding directed to helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault so these individuals can receive the services and support they need.”

The City of Cleveland will receive $273,190. Funding will support the salaries of four prosecutors and two law clerks with the City’s Law Department who specialize in prosecuting domestic violence cases. Funding will also support paying the salaries of a full-time victim advocate assigned to the Cleveland Police Department from the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and two detectives who specialize in investigating domestic violence cases.

The Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center will be awarded $97,239 for its Latina Domestic Violence Project.

The Latina Domestic Violence Project provides comprehensive services for Spanish-speaking victims of domestic violence and their families. The funding will assist with counseling, safety planning, a culturally competent hotline and shelter assistance. The Jewish Family Services Association of Cleveland will receive $33,738 for the Domestic Violence Services Project.

The Jewish Family Services Association’s Domestic Violence Services Project provides community-based domestic violence services through comprehensive case management and advocacy. Funding will support face-to-face advocacy, assisting clients with navigating the criminal justice system, case management, help victims to develop safety plans and support groups, and immigrant outreach.

The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center will be awarded $89,895 for domestic violence victims assistance services for the Direct Service for Survivors Program.

The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s Direct Services for Survivors Project funding helps support survivors of sexual assault through its 24-hour crisis hotline and provides advocates to assist victims through medical and legal processes. The funding also assists Cleveland Rape Crisis Center with outreach and awareness of the services provided within Cuyahoga County through the organization’s collaboration with law enforcement, social organizations and with the medical community.

The City of Bedford will receive $27,319 for its Domestic Violence Victims Program.

With the County’s funding, the City of Bedford will staff a domestic violence court liaison to assist victims with referrals and questions regarding the legal process during a domestic violence case in court.

Contact Information:

Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center 24-hour Helpline: 216-391-HELP (4357)

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center 24-hour Hotline: (216) 619-6192 or (440) 423-2020