Hynes Receives $103,000 Grant from Sen. Golden

September 20, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff
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Targets At-Risk Youths, Domestic Violence Victims
 
Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes has received $103,000 in public protection funds from state Senator Martin J. Golden that will provide support to the District Attorney’s Office’s existing alternative-to-incarceration programs for at-risk youths and to victims of domestic violence cases pending in Brooklyn’s Domestic Violence Court.

“Brooklyn is the only county in New York State with two separate Integrated Domestic Violence Courts,” said Hynes.  “Thanks to this generous grant, for the first time, we will have one dedicated social worker who will not only assist victims in the two courtrooms, but will also form the bridge connecting the court parts to the Brooklyn Family Justice Center.”

“I am proud to have secured more than $100,000 in public protection funds to support programs offered by Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes,” Golden said.  “I am confident that through his office, this funding will be used to create better opportunities for youth and family justice in Brooklyn.”

Of the funds, $50,000 will be used to hire a full-time social worker for domestic violence victims with cases pending in Integrated Domestic Violence Courts in Brooklyn. These two IDVC parts were opened in Brooklyn in 2005.  They provide consistency and efficiency for domestic violence victims and their families who have pending cases with co-occurring criminal, family, and matrimonial components.  

Prior to IDVC parts, one victim would have multiple cases in Family Court and Criminal Court.  Now, these cases can be consolidated into a single case, heard by a single judge.  

The remaining $53,000 will help fund the seventh year of Project Re-Direct.  The project was created by the Gangs Bureau and was designed to offer an alternative to incarceration for young gang members who enter the criminal justice system.

Defendants must meet stringent qualifications to be accepted into Project Re-Direct.  They must be referred to the program by defense attorneys, assistant district attorneys and judges.  If accepted, they must plead guilty to the charge and agree that if they violate they will be sentenced to a substantial period of prison. Each must re-enter school or enter and graduate from a GED program.

“Thanks to the generous grant from Senator Golden, Project Re-Direct will be able to open its doors to more gang involved youth and provide them with the counseling, life skills development and other services that these young men need to make positive changes in their lives,” said Hynes.

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