FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., and Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson have awarded $750,000 in grant funding to 15 Kentucky organizations supporting victims of crime as they work to rebuild their lives. 

“Providing support for victims of crime in Kentucky has been a top priority of mine since my very first day in public office,” Beshear said. "This federal funding supports Kentuckians in some of the toughest days they will ever face. It allows us to continue to be with survivors every step of their journey, just as we pledged to be.” 

Many states, including Kentucky, have experienced reduced funding because of nationwide monetary decreases in the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). The Justice and Public Safety Cabinet’s state fiscal year 2024 budget includes $750,000 from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to supplement the reduced funding, Beshear's office said.

The additional funding helps programs focused on crime reduction or assisting victims.

“Victims of crime deserve justice to be served to the fullest, and we are working every day to see that it happens,” Jackson said. “Through this grant funding, we are able to collaborate with those who are working directly with victims, making sure they are able to receive the best resources available.” 

One of those programs is The Nest in Lexington, which has received $30,000 to cover one-time costs for victims’ legal expenses, the governor's office said.

“The Nest has relied on ARPA funds in our work to support crime victims seeking safety and security for their families,” said Jeffrey White, executive director of The Nest. “Looking forward, we are grateful to have these funds again so we can support and empower survivors of abuse as they rebuild their lives."

Another organization receiving funding is Barren River Area Safe Space (BRASS) Inc. in Bowling Green. It was awarded more than $29,000 to provide emergency housing assistance to domestic violence victims.

“Without ARPA funding, our current shelter occupancy would be cut by 29%, prohibiting an estimated 106 victims per year from seeking safety and beginning their journey toward healing from the abuse they experienced at the hands of their partner," said Tori Henninger, BRASS executive director. 

Beshear's office said since taking office, his administration has awarded more than $133 million in grant funding to victim service agencies in Kentucky, and more than 110,000 victims were served during federal fiscal year 2023. More than 1 million services were also provided through VOCA grant funds.