Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $665,000)
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.
The YWCA of St. Joseph County will receive funding from the FY 2009 Congressionally Selected Awards Program to improve the capacity of the criminal justice system to hold perpetrators accountable in abuse cases, to enhance local courts, and to serve victims of crime. The YWCA will use grant funds for: CourtWatch Monitors; sound amplification equipment for the court rooms to be monitored; and to underwrite the costs of serving additional victims. The YWCA will collect and input data and work with the judges, prosecutors, Child Protective Services, local batterer's intervention programs, a team of legal analysts and others to achieve better outcomes. The YWCA will publish a written report to be submitted to legal journals for publication and distributed to the communities. Progress will be measured by quantitative and qualitative outcomes of identified areas for systemic improvement.
NCA/NCF