Ohio Supreme Court...
Court Awarded $30,000 Grant to “STOP” Domestic Violence
Nov. 17, 2011 

The Supreme Court of Ohio was recently awarded a $30,000 grant to support and enhance the judiciary’s response on how it handles domestic violence cases. 

The Office of Criminal Justice Services at the Ohio Department of Public Safety announced the S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Grant Program award to the Court on Nov. 15. The money will be allocated on Jan. 1, 2012. 

The S.T.O.P. VAWA Grant Program is a federal formula block grant provided by the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women that promotes a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to enhance advocacy and improve the criminal justice system’s response to domestic violence, stalking, and related crimes. The federal grant is directed to support victim services, prosecution, law enforcement, and courts. In Ohio, the Office of Criminal Justice Services is the designated state office to administer the VAWA grant funds. 

Diana Ramos-Reardon, program manager of the Court’s domestic violence program, said the $30,000 will support “the Court’s efforts to provide meaningful programs that enhance the judiciary’s toolbox to address domestic violence cases.” 

“It’s really an exciting opportunity for us to receive this grant from the state. It will go far in underscoring the importance of having a broad base understanding of how domestic violence may be relevant in cases involving families and children. The Court’s domestic violence program is an important tool for enhancing the courts understanding of the domestic violence case process,” said Ramos-Reardon. 

Ramos-Reardon said the Court applied for the grant after attending the National Leadership Summit on State Court Responses to Domestic Violence last fall. The summit showcased court programs and projects supported by S.T.O.P. VAWA funds and provided opportunities to foster better relations and collaboration between the state administering agency and the Supreme Court.

The Court’s domestic violence program assists local courts and justice system partners to develop and strengthen effective responses to domestic violence and related cases.