OVW FY2021 justice for families program

The County of Winnebago, Illinois is receiving $550,000 under a three-year Project Grant award from the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women to support the Justice Systems Response to Families program. The grant will fund services through September 2024 to improve the response of the criminal and civil justice systems to families experiencing domestic and sexual violence.

As the designated awardee, Winnebago County Circuit Court will use the funding to enhance coordination and collaboration between various components of the justice system and community-based victim advocacy organizations. This is intended to ensure a holistic, trauma-informed approach that considers the needs of victims and their families. The services supported align with the goals of the Justice Systems Response to Families program under the Violence Against Women Act to strengthen justice system practices related to domestic and sexual violence cases involving parents and their children.