Establishing New Local Satellite of Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center

This grant program is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) (the 'Recovery Act') and by 42 U.S.C. 3751(a). The stated purposes of the Recovery Act are: to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery; to assist those most impacted by the recession; to provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; to invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits; and to stabilize state and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases. The Recovery Act places great emphasis on accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayer dollars.

Among other things, it creates a new Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board and a new website ' Recovery.gov ' to provide information to the public, including access to detailed information on grants and contracts made with Recovery Act funds.

The Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funded under the Recovery Act is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Recovery JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. Recovery JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.

The city of Newport will use the fiscal year 2009 Recovery Act JAG grant in the amount of $36,182 to establish a Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center satellite location. The center will provide services to victims of child abuse and their family members in partnership with the Newport Police Department. The grant for $21,080 will cover salary and benefits for a receptionist that will greet clients, make children and non-offending caregivers comfortable, provide educational materials, and engage children during times they must wait in the reception area. Travel funds in the amount of $2,234 will allow staff to travel to other Safe Harbor locations to coordinate and provide services throughout Cocke County. Remaining funds ($12,868) will be used to cover administrative costs and supplies (education materials, art supplies, office supplies, and other center related materials).

NCA/NCF