The Mount Vernon Police Department and New Directions have been awarded grants under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by the Office of Criminal Justice Services. These grants are part of 135 distributed to 97 local agencies across 47 counties.

According to an Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services press release, the Mount Vernon Police Department will receive $454,013, while New Directions will receive $35,000.

The press release further explains that VAWA grants assist non-profit community-based organizations and local governments in bolstering services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

Additionally, the grant funding will be utilized to enhance local communities' ability to develop and implement effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies aimed at eradicating violent crimes against women. The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services press release also notes that VAWA funds contribute to strengthening victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women.

Two competitive grants were issued for this program. According to the press release from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, proposals for the first process were sought from law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, victim service providers, and courts throughout the state. The second process was specifically designed for community-based victim service applicants who offer linguistically specific and culturally relevant services to culturally specific communities.