Partnership for Families requests $330,000 from Hamilton County to sustain domestic-violence shelter and crisis services

Kevin Hyde, CEO of Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, told the Hamilton County Commission on April 16, 2025, that his agency is asking the county for $330,000 to help sustain its domestic violence shelter and 24/7 crisis center.

Hyde said Partnership for Families brings in about $3,300,000 a year and that the $330,000 request represents roughly 10 percent of that total. He described the shelter as the only domestic-violence shelter in Hamilton County and said the organization also operates the local crisis center that performs forensic exams and holds evidence kits for victims.

Hyde told commissioners the shelter averaged nearly 13,500 bed nights last year, an increase of 66 percent over three years, and that the crisis center completed 37 forensic exams last year — up 26 percent over three years. He also said staff had increased from 34 to 40 since October 2023 to meet demand.

Why it matters: Hyde said federal victim-assistance funds have declined in recent years and that some federal grants require a local match. "If we do not meet that match, we get decreased funding for the grants that we do have," Hyde said, explaining that failure to provide required matching funds would proportionally reduce federal reimbursements.

Commissioners asked about how the request fits in the budget and about a planned move into the city's Family Justice Center. "Are these numbers that we will be seeing in the budget?" Commissioner Baker asked. Hyde confirmed the request would appear in the county budget process. Commissioner Smith asked about the Family Justice Center transition; Hyde said the design was about 45 percent complete, the city engineer had progressed the architecture-and-engineering task orders, and the center would not be open and occupied until the end of fiscal year 2027.

Hyde described operational details that he said distinguish a domestic-violence shelter from other shelters: acceptance is based on an active abuser and a high lethality assessment from law enforcement, and the agency follows protocols for safety and security. He said about half of shelter residents on any given day are children and that average stays are four to six months for people who have fled dangerous situations and must rebuild housing and financial stability.

Hyde asked the commission to close a funding gap so his agency can continue providing the described services on behalf of Hamilton County residents and to preserve access to federal dollars that require local matching funds.

The presentation ended with no vote or formal action recorded in the transcript; Hyde said he would return with budget paperwork and that the agency would seek county support during the FY26 budget cycle.