By Raymond Billy
assistanteditor@jacksonville
progress.com
The Crisis Center of Anderson and Cherokee Counties was taken out of the running for a $50,000 grant because of an error on its application to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office.
Crisis Center, a nonprofit organization that helps victims of family violence, sexual assault and child abuse, “did not properly account for personnel and fringe costs,” said Jerry Strickland, a spokesman from the attorney general’s office. The mistake ended any chance Crisis Center had at obtaining the Other Victims Assistance Grant, or OVAG.
The applicant must ensure that at least 75 percent of the grant will go toward personnel and fringe costs for the two-year award, per filing guidelines. Exceptions can be granted for this rule, but one was not requested by the Crisis Center.
The Crisis Center only included 58.29 percent for fiscal year 2008 and 60.03 percent for fiscal year 2009.
Crisis Center Executive Director Donald Hammock said that in the past the attorney general’s office might have notified the center of the mistake on its application and allowed the organization to re-apply for the grant. That courtesy wasn’t extended this time.
“This year, the grants were so competitive and so many organizations applied for the grants that any type of discrepancy and you were automatically disqualified,” Hammock said.
The director said he harbors no anger towards the AG’s office for not giving Crisis Center a second chance.
“I don’t believe the Attorney General’s office was unfair to us. It’s something that we can apply for again and we’ll apply and hopefully we’ll get it,” Hammock said.
The grant would have helped the Crisis Center to once again have a third full-time counselor on staff along with its two part-time counselors. The center lost one of its counselors last month to a job at Stephen F. Austin State University.
“We won’t be able to see as many clients due to lack of another counselor,” Hammock said earlier this month.
However, Hammock said Tuesday financial support from the community may help the center to fill the counselor vacancy.
“We’re waiting to see how stable our funds are before we can replace that counseling position. The OVAG helped pay for some of that, but if our funds stay stable and we continue to get the community support coming in, we will be able to replace that counselor,” Hammock said.
In spite of the setbacks the Crisis Center has endured in the previous month — which includes learning it would not receive two other grants it applied for — Hammock continues to look on the bright side.
“The community has seen the need for us to be here and they have come aboard and started supporting us even more than they have in the past, and we’ve been very pleased with the response and it is helping us financially,” Hammock said.
Local News
Application error costs Crisis Center chance at grant
- Local News
-
-
Forecasters see end to La Niña but it may not bring drought relief
The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center announced that La Niña, which contributed to the drought across the southwestern U.S., will dissipate between March and May.
-
Alto police force adds tool to help in fighting crime
The Alto Police Department have an additional tool under its belts for fighting crime — tasers.
-
Bullard bans smoking in city park
Smoking in Bullard's O.L. Ferrell Park is officially illegal after a unanimous decision made by the Bullard city council Thursday evening.
-
Aircraft lifted from Lake Palestine
The Varga Aircraft found in Lake Palestine has been lifted from the water Friday afternoon. The missing pilot, Fred Scholz, has not been found and the search mission continued.
-
JEDCO, city to have joint representation
Through a 4-3 vote, Eldridge Moak will cease to be the attorney representing Jacksonville Development Corp. effective July 1.
-
Alto looks to update infrastructure, town is ‘worn out, structurally’
City officials said it is time to start looking into updating the city's underground infrastructure.
-
Model U.N. gives students a global perspective
Last week, delegates from over 40 countries met in Kilgore to discuss important issues within their borders.
-
2 men charged in aggravated assault
A New Summerfield man turned himself in to the Cherokee County jail last week for a late January aggravated assault incident.
-
Alto police hire two new officers
After six months without a police force, and two months of running with two officers, the Alto Police Department is fully staffed.
-
Rusk officials mull education partnerships
The Rusk Economic Development Corporation board of directors is deliberating a project that could grant every graduating Rusk senior a free education at Tyler Junior College.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Forecasters see end to La Niña but it may not bring drought relief
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
