Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Contact: Jo Johnson 703-228-1678 (voice) 703-228-1788(TTY)
Project PEACE Receives $385,000 Grant
Funds 2.5 positions and helps efforts to end domestic violence
ARLINGTON, Va. – Project PEACE (Partnering to End Abuse in the Community for Everyone), Arlington’s coordinated community response to domestic violence, has been awarded a $385,000 grant by the Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women.
“This is a major step forward in our efforts to address and prevent domestic violence in the community,” said Project PEACE Chair and Arlington County Board Vice Chair Barbara Favola. “The grant money will allow us to add dedicated staff at key points in our response system and will help us establish a seamless service approach for clients.”
Information system to aid efforts
The data will give Project PEACE a baseline of information that is not currently available, and enable County staff to strategically direct future efforts. Currently, each agency or unit collects data that describes their contact with domestic violence cases and no one is able to see the impact of interventions that span across divisions and organizations.
New understandings of existing information can be gathered when the information system “connects the dots” between agencies and units. For example, police will be able to learn how often emergency protection orders expire and are not served for different groups of community residents, something we are unable to do at present.
By identifying trends, Arlington County will be able to determine how to intervene strategically with its highly mobile, diverse populations.
The two-year grant, which is renewable, will provide $384,944 for 2.5 positions and the development of the information system. The staffing component includes:
- Bilingual Special Victims Unit Crime Analyst dedicated to domestic violence
- Bilingual Victim Witness Specialist dedicated to domestic violence
- Bilingual, Part-time Court Advocate at Doorways for Women and Families
Project PEACE is a coordinated initiative to end domestic violence in the Arlington community. Members of Project PEACE represent all facets of Arlington County, with active participation from:
- Court and justice systems
- Police
- Multiple divisions of County government
- Public schools and colleges
- Healthcare systems
- Faith community
- Nonprofit service providers
- Local service organizations
For more information call Jo Johnson, Project PEACE Coordinator, at 703-228-1678 or visit the Project PEACE website.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.