Media Contact:
Amy Smith
281-660-7608
amysmith@hcdvcc.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16th, 2023
VITAL ARPA FUNDING PROVIDES THE HARRIS COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCIL WITH LIFE-SAVING RESOURCES
(Harris County, TX) – March 17, 2023 — Judge Lina Hidalgo and Harris County Commissioners made a historic commitment to fund agencies who are serving families suffering the trauma of domestic violence with the award of $4.7 million to the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. Last week marked the second anniversary of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) being signed into law. This law has created the opportunity to provide critical and life-saving funding to those experiencing the trauma of domestic violence, and the law paved the way for Harris County to be able to dedicate funds specifically for Domestic Violence.
“Domestic Violence is connected to a third of the homicides in Harris County. The Domestic Violence Assistance Fund’s combination of flexible wraparound services to assist survivors in combination with targeted interventions by the High Risk Team has been proven to make a difference. We’re thrilled to partner with HCDVCC and these twenty nonprofits to help keep families safe,” said Leah Barton, Harris County’s Director of Strategic Initiatives.
With this award, the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC) created a process to grant 20 community organizations this much-needed critical capital. These flexible funds will serve more than 3,000 families with over 6,600 individuals. Flexible funding means people can receive direct financial assistance to support their immediate needs such as rental and utility assistance, safe hotel stays, moving assistance, car repairs, basic needs, childcare, mental health services, and legal services.
HCDVCC is honored to partner with the following 20 agencies that are recipients of the Domestic Violence Assistance Funds:
A recent study (https://www.hcdvcc.org/resourcematerials/) conducted by Dr. Leila Wood from the Center for Violence Prevention at The University of Texas Medical Branch found that not only did domestic violence increase because of the pandemic, but also it increased in severity. Additionally, mental health needs increased, and access to services and support systems has decreased. These results directly support the need for this critical funding to remain available to families. Other recommendations from the report include:
Harris County’s investment in the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund will ensure that these recommendations can be implemented and increase access to safety and services for those suffering from the trauma of domestic violence.
