Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today announced 54 public and private non-profit agencies throughout the State received a total of $2,757,156 in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance grant funds. Among the programs receiving funds was the Tyler County Commission.

These grants will provide direct services, such as counseling, personal advocacy, court advocacy, client transportation and support services to victims of crimes including domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, and elderly abuse. The funds will also finance assistance to victims as they move through the criminal justice system. Locally, the money will provide for the salary of a full-time Victim Advocate in the Tyler County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. This position is currently held by Toni VanCamp.

“We are pleased to have been awarded the VOCA grant again,” stated Prosecuting Attorney D. Luke Furbee. “This grant provides direct services to victims of crimes, which could not be duplicated without (state) funding. These services are vital.”

The VOCA funds are awarded from the Office for Victims of Crime, the Office of Justice Programs of the U. S. Department of Justice. These funds are administered by the West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services.