Centre County Victim Witness Office receives funding, not enough to expand services
BELLEFONTE, Pa. (WTAJ) – Centre County's District Attorney's Office relies on grants to support its current programs, but it is unlikely they will be able to grow.
Missie the courthouse comfort dog is one of those current services, meant to calm victims while in the courtroom. Commissioner Steve Dershem says the office has been 'very cognizant' of the importance of having options like Missie for victims.
The Victim Witness Office's services are helped along by funding from different sources like the Rights and Services Act and Victims of Juvenile Offenders Grant that were approved at the March 25 commissioners meeting.
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'These funds are really critical for making sure that the victim's needs are being met through this process,' Commissioner Amber Concepcion said.
Though the money is enough to fund the services, Early Outreach Victim Advocate Elizabeth Rosenberg says there is no plan to expand due to funding.
'Funds, unfortunately, at the federal and state level, are remaining stagnant right now. And so at this point in time, they'll be used for the same services, but we're hoping that we'll be able to get other support,' Rosenberg said.
Rosenberg says the need for the services is 'ongoing,' especially since some recent cases have been 'more egregious in nature.'
The grant total is $147,757 and needs to be used before the end of the year.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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