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County applies for $1 million DOJ grant to expand domestic-violence supervision and victim advocacy services
Summary
The court approved submission of a three-year, $1,000,000 application to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women to bolster supervision, victim notification and victim-service warm handoffs for domestic-violence and sexual-assault cases.
El Paso County approved the submission of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women on Monday seeking $1,000,000 over three years to enhance supervision of defendants and victim advocacy services.
The grant application, titled the Domestic Violence Supervision and Victim Advocacy Program, was presented by county criminal-justice staff and seeks federal funds for three program components: increased supervision capacity for high-risk pretrial cases, victim notification when defendants abscond or violate bond conditions, and funding for victim-service providers to deliver warm handoffs and on-scene assistance, including during SANE exams.
Criminal justice staff explained the funding would provide overtime and staffing to the county’s reentry and supervision units, the sheriff’s office partnership for locating absconders, and the Center Against Family Violence (CASA/CASFV or CASFI—presenters used the acronym in testimony) to support victim outreach and immediate services. Projected project period runs from Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2028; no county match was required. Contract number in the agenda backup is 20250474.
The court approved the application and authorized the county judge to sign certification forms required by the grant program. Judge Samaniego made the motion; Commissioner Stout seconded and the motion carried.
Speakers: Katherine Jones (Criminal Justice Director); Chris Ray (criminal-justice staff presenter); Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office indicated as partners in the application
Authorities: {"type":"grant","name":"U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) grant program","referenced_by":["agenda item and presenter remarks"]}
Discussion vs. decision: The court authorized applying for federal funds and execution of the grant-related certifications; approval was contingent on successful award by DOJ.
Clarifying details: Grant amount requested: $1,000,000; project period: 10/01/2025–09/30/2028; no local match required; contract reference 20250474.
Ending: County staff said the award would expand the county’s ability to supervise high-risk defendants and improve immediate victim services if the DOJ awards the grant.
