FCSO Is Awarded A Grant For More Than $158K To Hire Victims' Advocates

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Flagler County, FL - The Flagler County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) has received a grant for $158,889.60 that will cover the salaries of two full-time victims' advocates and 75% of the salary for a third victims' advocate. The 2017-2018 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant was awarded to FCSO from the Office of the Attorney General, Bureau of Advocacy and Grants Management. In addition to allowing FCSO to hire three victims' advocates, the grant will also be used for supplies and community outreach, according to FCSO. "Our staff has worked diligently to determine how best to distribute the available VOCA grant funding," VOCA director Emery Gainey explained in the award letter. "These considerations and (FCSO's) commitment to providing services to crime victims in your community were the key factors in making our decision." The victims' advocates will help victims of crimes including child abuse, domestic and family violence, assault, elder abuse, victims with disabilities, robbery victims, and victims of violent crimes. The advocates work as a support system to the victims and are dedicated to providing emotional support and guidance during traumatic events and during the criminal justice process, according to FCSO. "This grant allows us to assist victims of crimes in Flagler County," says Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. "We will always go after state and federal grants to bring tax money back to Flagler County to reduce the tax burden on our residents." The Victim Services Unit of FCSO is open to help any citizen of Flagler County and provides emotional support to victims or witnesses to crimes and their families 24/7. Photos of two FCSO victims' advocates Mary Dinardi (left) and Kathy Vazquez (right) courtesy FCSO. Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.