Family Justice Center grant approved after dozens of public commenters urge county to restore no-match funding

Alamance County commissioners approved a funding item for the Family Justice Center (FJC) as part of the consent agenda on April 21, after multiple residents urged the board to allow the center to apply for and receive a no-match grant and to provide county funding to replace any lost opportunity.

Public testimony: Several residents, including survivors and community advocates, told commissioners the FJC provides vital services for people experiencing domestic violence and for children who witness abuse. Speakers described using FJC services for shelter, counseling and safety planning and urged the board to approve the center’s grant request and to make county funding available if a previously-declined no-match grant remained unavailable.

Board action: The board approved the consent agenda as amended; county staff confirmed the Family Justice Center funding request was included in that consent package and therefore approved. Commissioners indicated the county will continue to work with the center and examine other funding sources.

Why it matters: FJC is the county’s principal centralized domestic-violence service provider; speakers said denial of grant access or county support could reduce outreach and shelter services for survivors and their children. County commissioners and staff noted the earlier decision to decline one no-match grant option was based on concerns about application language; several public commenters argued those concerns should not block funding for survivors.

Public-comment excerpts (paraphrased) - Multiple residents told personal stories of sheltering in a car, staying at the FJC and using its services to rebuild safety for themselves and their children. - Commenters asked the board to allow the FJC to apply for a specific no-match grant from the Governor’s Crime Commission and to make county funds available to replace any shortfall created by a declined application.

Implementation and next steps The Family Justice Center funding piece was adopted within the consent agenda; staff indicated they will follow the standard grant-acceptance and contracting steps for the awarded item. Separately, public speakers urged the commissioners to reconsider the prior vote that declined the specific no-match grant and to pursue additional county funding where needed.

Provenance: Public comments in the meeting record begin with callers and podium speakers urging support for the Family Justice Center; the consent agenda (including FJC funding) was approved later in the meeting.