Brooklyn Family Reunification Project

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Sanctuary for Families will utilize Congressionally Selected Award funding to support its Brooklyn Family Reunification Project. The project seeks to keep non-offending battered women together with their children The program also works to reunite families separated by custody disputes, foster care, or kidnapping by the abuser and/or his family, and foster healthy family relationships in the wake of violence. Working out of the Brooklyn Family Justice Center, the project will involve case conferencing among three designated project staff that includes an attorney, a social worker, and a children's counselor who will devise a holistic service plan to address each family's multiple mental health, case management, and legal needs.

NCA/NCF