Monongalia County signs off on $260,453 community corrections grant application and proclaims April Sexual Assault Awareness Month

The Monongalia County Commission on April 1 approved submission of a community corrections grant application requesting $260,453 and noted an MOU with the Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center (RDVIC) will be required if the application proceeds.

A county staff member briefed the commission on the application and said the requested amount is $260,453; the staff presentation also noted the need for an MOU with RDVIC. Commissioner (Speaker 4) moved to approve the application, the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Earlier in the meeting Kaye Powney, prevention educator at RDVIC, read a proclamation declaring April Sexual Assault Awareness Month for Monongalia County. Powney said the proclamation is important because it encourages survivors to speak out and helps reduce stigma: "It is important for people who've experienced sexual violence... because it encourages people to talk about it. Like, there's still a stigma." The commission moved, seconded and approved the proclamation by voice vote.

During public comment, Judith Delagarza, treasurer of Stewart's Community Council, also raised related community-safety and outreach matters during a broader update on local procedural schedules for utility dockets (see separate item). The commission did not vote on the MOU language at the meeting; staff indicated the MOU would be executed if the grant is awarded.