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Commissioner Shehan - Financial and Management Services - Finance - To Accept and Appropriate State Grant Funds from the North Carolina Division for Women & Youth for the Hope United Survivor Network's Family Justice Center Sexual Assault Program ($31,458.24 with a 20% County Match of $6,291.65)
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STAFF CONTACT
Kyle Sutherland - Financial & Management Services - Finance - 704-866-3130
BUDGET IMPACT
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General Fund: Increase state grant revenues by $31,458.24. Increase grant operating expenses by $31,458.24
The State Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Center Fund grant requires 20% County match of $6,291.65. The required match will be provided through eligible salary costs associated with the Family Justice Center’s Social Worker Ill/Community Navigator position.
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BACKGROUND
The North Carolina Division for Women & Youth (DFW&Y), an advocacy division within the North Carolina Department of Administration (DOA) is the state’s leading voice on key issues impacting women provides funding, consultation, and technical assistance to agencies across North Carolina that provide services to victims of sexual assault and other forms of violence. DFW&Y administers state and federal funding that supports programs designed to provide crisis intervention, shelter, advocacy, and other essential services to individuals and families impacted by sexual assault and related forms of violence.
DFW&Y provides grant funding to qualifying NC agencies that provide domestic violence, sexual assault, or family violence prevention and services through several funding sources, including the State Domestic Violence Center Fund, the State Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Center Fund, and the federal Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). Funding is intended to support essential services for victims and survivors, including crisis hotline services, transportation assistance, community education, daytime services, and after-hours call forwarding.
The State Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Center Fund is the primary source of state funding for sexual assault and rape crisis centers throughout North Carolina. The fund provides grants to qualifying agencies that serve victims and survivors of sexual assault, as well as to the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA) to support statewide efforts to address sexual violence and improve services for victims and survivors.
DFW&Y has awarded Gaston County funding through the State Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Center Fund to support services provided through the County's Family Justice Center (FJC). The Family Justice Center provides a centralized, coordinated approach to serving individuals and families impacted by violence. While the funding under this award is specifically intended to support eligible sexual assault and rape crisis services, the Family Justice Center also provides assistance and resources to domestic violence survivors, allowing clients to access multiple services and community partners in one location.
The FJC's coordinated service model helps connect victims and survivors with advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, referrals, and other supportive services based on their individual needs. This approach reduces barriers to accessing assistance and promotes coordination among agencies serving victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
This award represents Year 2 of the biennium funding for the grant, with a period of performance from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The biennial funding provides continued financial support for the County's sexual assault and rape crisis services during the second year of the biennial grant period.
The Sexual Assault funding will support survivor services and community efforts to strengthen sexual assault response, including professional training and development, Family Justice Center rent, awareness and outreach activities and materials, targeted community advertising, specialized training for law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office, and direct client/victim needs that promote survivor safety and stability.
The grant funding will allow Gaston County to continue providing critical services and resources to victims and survivors of sexual assault through the Family Justice Center, while supporting the Center's broader coordinated response to individuals impacted by sexual and domestic violence.
POLICY IMPACT
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ATTACHMENTS
Budget Change Request (BCR), FY26-27 Budget, FY26-27 Agreement