Welcome to Skagit County

September 15th, 2004

SEGUINE ANNOUNCES AWARD OF $704,000 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GRANT

The Skagit County Prosecutor’s Office has announced today that the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, has awarded a grant of $704,187 to Skagit County. The grant supports a variety of domestic violence programs across Skagit County and specifically targets the enforcement of court issued no-contact orders designed to protect the victims of domestic violence.

Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Seguine was elated with the news. “This represents the culmination of a lot of hard work by many people in the county,” Seguine said. “The renewal represents a certification of that hard work, in delivering these services to the community, and doing the work needed complete the grant application.”

Skagit County received funds under a similar grant two years ago. This grant application was nonetheless treated independently from the first. Skagit County’s team competed with other counties and cities around the country.

The monies received will fund domestic violence programs for two additional years. The grant will allow the county to continue with current domestic violence programs, including current funding for a dedicated prosecutor, one legal assistant, a half-time grant administrator, a district court probation officer, overtime funding for domestic violence investigations performed by the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, and funding for advocacy services through Skagit Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, and domestic violence training within the criminal justice system.

The grant also includes funding for additional domestic violence projects and programs, including the development of a uniform no-contact order to be used in all courts across Skagit County, an additional half-time domestic violence attorney and half-time legal support position in the prosecutor’s office, and an additional half-time support staff support position in the Skagit County District Court probation office.

For further information, contact: Tom Seguine, 360-336-9460