NORWICH – Facing a three-quarters reduction in state aid for its Crime Victims Program, Catholic Charities in Chenango County is being forced to re-examine services offered and plan for financial hardships ahead.
It was announced this month that New York State will allocate nearly $36.2 million in grants to benefit 179 organizations that assist in crime victims across the state. Of that, Catholic Charities of Chenango County is slated for $46,223 for its 2014-2015 budget year, which is dramatically less than the $206,269 received for the program a year ago.
“For us, funding announcements this year wasn’t good news. Our funding had been drastically cut from what it previously was,” said Robin Beckwith, Executive Director for Catholic Charities of Chenango County. “Right now, we’re really looking at how to restructure.”
Catholic Charities’ budget year runs from October to September. While funding for Crime Victims has previously been awarded in one lump sum, this is the first year New York State split allocations into four different categories: victims of domestic violence; victims of child abuse; victims of sexual assault; and underserved victims.
Changes in funding are largely due to a restructuring of health and human services programs at the state level, which is leaving local level organizations reeling, Beckwith explained. “This is a the wave of what’s going on with the state and we’re nervous that some of the rural communities are going to be left out.”
According to Crime Victims Program Director Karen Glasbergen, funding cuts come at a critical time for the Crime Victims Program. From October, 2013, to July, 2014, Crime Victims has seen an increase in numbers across the board. Families in need of a safe dwelling increased 108 percent in just 10 months. Secondary assault cases are up 145 percent, and child physical assault cases up by 223 percent.
With two months left in its year, Glasbergen said expectations are that most Crime Victims services will meet or exceed last year’s figures. “Our numbers are ebb and flow, but right we are seeing an increase. It’s frustrating that our numbers are increasing and our funding decreased,” she added, “but we’re going to continue to serve the people because they’re going to keep coming in.”
The state Department of Health this year also withdrew $55,000 that was used for prevention and hospital visits for victims of sexual assault. Catholic Charities used that funding for “Safe Dates,” an early violence intervention program offered in secondary public schools in the county.
Said Glasbergen, “I think we’re going to see the effects of that cut for intervention programs five years down the road ... If those kinds of programs aren’t available, it will be harder for us to let people know where they can go or who to call for help.”
The reduction in funding has not forced layoffs at Catholic Charities, but the organization is looking at ways to revamp some of its Crime Victims programs. The organization is seeking other funding opportunities via competitive state grants. Four grant applications have already been sent out.
“We have funding through October, so we have a short time to find some positions for our staff and look at some new funding streams,” said Beckwith. “We’re crossing our fingers at this point, and being optimistic that we will be able to find more funding to continue to provide services. That’s our mission and we will continue to do all we can to meet the needs of our rural community.”
<em>Catholic Charities of Chenango County
statistics for Crime Victims Program
Oct., 2012 – Sept., 2013
Safe Dwelling
23 families
24 adults
36 children
Domestic Violence Cases
595 primary and secondary victims
Child Physical Abuse
