CLEARFIELD – On Tuesday the Clearfield County Commissioners voted to approve a grant application to the Justice for Families program through the U.S. Department of Justice/Office of Violence Against Women.
In 2013, the county received funding from OVW to assist the Clearfield County League on Social Services with the development of a Safe Haven program, explained Lisa Kovalick, community development specialist.
The request to the Justice for Families program, if approved, would allow the county and the League on Social Services to continue a safe visitation and exchange program, she said.
According to her, it would also improve and expand the services provided to adult and child victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.
Kovalick said that grant funds would provide for victims to receive civil legal assistance in domestic violence cases and to non-offending parents for matters, such as alleged child sexual abuse, civil protection orders, custody and divorce.
Funding, if approved, would also provide legal representation to non-offending parents when the other parent is represented by counsel. In addition to providing more services, the League on Social Services has plans to open a Safe Haven Center in Jefferson County.
Kovalick said the Safe Haven program would have an estimated budget of $539,000. It would serve 40 victims in Jefferson County and 80 victims in Clearfield County for three years beginning Oct. 1, 2017.
