Grassley: More Than $3.2 Million to Iowa from U.S. Department of Justice
WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs has awarded a $3,268,150 grant to the Iowa Department of Justice in Des Moines through the fiscal 2008 Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program.
The Iowa Department of Justice will use the funds to enhance crime victim services in the state by competitively awarding the funds to local community-based organizations that provide direct services to crime victims.
“Congress passed the Victims of Crime Act more than 20 years ago to provide crime victims the assistance they need to go on after their lives are turned upside down by criminals," Grassley said. "This fund is unique because it does not use taxpayer funds and instead uses fines and restitution paid by federal criminals to pay for medical care, mental health counseling, lost wages and other forms of victims assistance."
The funds for the Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program come from restitution payments and fines paid by criminal defendants. The money is then distributed by formula to states which in turn distribute the funds to local organizations that provide services to crime victims.