Utah County Attorney's Office presents VOCA grant update amid funding cuts

Utah County's commitment to supporting victims and enhancing community programs was highlighted during a recent commission meeting on June 16, 2021. The meeting featured updates on critical initiatives, including the VOCA grant and various community outreach programs.

Katie Fox, a victim coordinator at the Utah County Attorney's Office, provided an update on the VOCA grant, which funds victim services. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Fox reported that the office is on track to meet most of its goals. However, the grant has faced significant cuts, with a 10% reduction for the current year and a projected 20% cut for the following year. While the county will cover part of the salary for one VOCA-funded position next year, Fox warned that further cuts could jeopardize essential services for victims.

The meeting also included presentations from the Utah State University (USU) Extension, focusing on agricultural education and youth mentoring programs. Tom Bettis, representing USU Extension, announced the upcoming hiring of a new director to focus on small farm management and livestock education. He emphasized the importance of community input in shaping these programs.

Brandon Summers, who oversees the 4-H mentoring program, shared that the initiative has received $1.12 million in federal grants to support at-risk youth in Utah County. The program aims to match young people with mentors, fostering positive development and preventing juvenile delinquency. Currently, 200 youth are matched with mentors, with plans to increase that number to 300.

Cindy Jenkins, an extension assistant professor, discussed her work on community needs assessments, highlighting issues such as housing, mental health, and food security. She has secured $60,000 in small grants to address these challenges through various programs, including nutrition education for low-income families.

Gabriela Mirza presented on the HEART initiative, which focuses on addressing the opioid crisis in Utah. This program, fully state-funded, aims to strengthen community ties and provide education on public health issues.

The discussions at the meeting underscored the county's proactive approach to addressing community needs and supporting vulnerable populations. As these programs evolve, the county remains committed to ensuring that essential services continue to be available to those who need them most.