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Local victim-services provider warns of funding cuts, staff losses; board approves renewal
Summary
Van Buren County’s victim-services program reported recent grant losses and possible deeper VOCA cuts that will shrink staff and threaten services; commissioners voted to renew the county contract supporting local victim services.
A director for Van Buren County victim services told the board the program faces multiple funding headwinds and that staff reductions are already occurring. The presenter said the Safe Families Michigan grant that funded a teen program was discontinued (ending a staff position Sept. 30), the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding is projected to be cut 15–30% and may be exhausted by fiscal 2027, and the United Way recently cut $10,000 from the program.
The presenter said the state has not signed contracts for multiple grants as early as in prior years and that the state had previously provided one-time supplemental funding to fill gaps; a larger state supplemental ask for domestic-violence services is under negotiation at the state level. Locally, the agency has been relying on private fundraising to cover shortfalls.
Despite the financial uncertainty, the presenter said the agency provided services to 336 new clients this past year (1,264 total contacts), including 22 clients aged 65 or older and 13 clients under 18. The agency distributed security devices, deadbolts, toiletries, clothing “go-bags,” and gave 24 gift cards for fuel or groceries. The director said staff provide personal-protection-order assistance and reported that Judge DuPont provided a figure of 242 personal protection orders processed so far this year.
Commissioners and audience members asked about partnerships with local law enforcement and hospital sexual-assault services; the presenter said outreach to police departments across the county is active and that hospital-based sexual-assault services are coordinated with Bronson Health. The director said volunteer recruitment continues; five new volunteers were trained.
A motion to approve the agreement renewal for the victim-services program was made, seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript records the motion and passage but does not include a roll-call tally.
