The WIN (Worcester Intervention Network) for Victims of Domestic Violence Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The city of Worcester will use its Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $54,916 to support its Worcester Intervention Network (WIN) Program for victims of domestic violence abuse. The WIN Program provides assistance to police officers by conducting thorough follow-up contacts with all police-involved individuals, offering advocacy, information, and intervention services. In addition, WIN personnel gather pertinent information about a victim's situation, carefully assess the situation, and, whenever possible, engage victims in on-going support services. Interventionists' contacts provide the Department's Domestic Violence Unit with helpful information for further investigations, resulting in more 'accurate' arrests. JAG funds will be used to administer the grant, and to continue the salaries and benefits for a full-time Domestic Violence Interventionist and to pay for the partial salary and benefits for a Domestic Violence Interventionist Coordinator.

NCA/NCF