IN Millcreek Spring 2020 | Page 32

WHAT’S NEWS IN MILLCREEK & SURROUNDING AREA continuation of quality services to Erie County child abuse victims. • $13,735 to the Crime Victim Center of Erie County to analyze collaboration between the center and child advocates in a way that will increase the number of referred child victims who seek follow-up counseling and support services. The PCCD grants were made based on recommendations by the Children’s Advocacy Center Advisory Committee, which advises the commission about child advocacy and investigatory programs. MORE THAN $11,000 AWARDED TO NORTHWEST TRI-COUNTY INTERMEDIATE UNIT 5 NEARLY $461,000 TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE Grants totaling $460,735 will expand protection and advocacy services for children throughout Pennsylvania and enhance those supports and services for Erie-area children and families. The funding, administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, includes $400,000 to an Erie-based organization that trains support professionals on best practices and adherence to national standards in investigating and treating child abuse. The following grants were awarded to these agencies: • $400,000 to the Pennsylvania Chapter of Child Advocacy Centers and Multidisciplinary Teams to develop teams that can expand child advocacy and investigative work throughout the state. • $47,000 to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Erie County to reduce reliance on fundraising and ensure child abuse 30 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ Homebound students who receive services from Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5 will benefit from a Keystone Telepresence grant, announced State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro. IU5 can use the $11,045 grant to acquire audio and video equipment to help educate students who are homebound for extended periods due to serious medical conditions. Funds may also be used to train staff on how to adequately use the equipment. School districts within the regional education service agency may borrow the equipment to enable students to participate in classroom activities and curriculum in real time with classmates and teachers. “I am glad to see that the state is willing to invest in technology to improve students’ access to quality education. Kids dealing with medical setbacks will now have the opportunity, as able, to stay connected and not fall behind on learning with their peers,” said Bizzarro. The grant is funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Special Education state appropriation from the 2019-20 Fiscal Year budget. icmags.com LOCAL UNIVERSITIES RECEIVE $60,000 IN GRANTS AS PART OF STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULTS Mercyhurst and Gannon universities have each received a $30,000 grant under Pennsylvania’s “It’s on Us” initiative to keep college campuses free of sexual assault and harassment, State Reps. Bob Merski and Pat Harkins announced. “Our colleges should be places where young people thrive as they work toward chosen career paths,” Merski said. “The specter of sexual assault or other violence destroys that environment and turns places of learning into places of fear. I’m thankful that our local universities will share in this funding to raise awareness about and prevent sexual assault and violence.” Harkins added, “No student or educator should ever have to feel unsafe where they learn or teach. In addition to training and awareness programs, this funding will help us get the message out that sexual violence or harassment will not be tolerated on our campuses.” The funding is part of a $1 million package of grants to 36 postsecondary schools statewide.