Tiffin agency gets $331,675 to aid program for families

9/15/2006

TIFFIN - A social service agency that assists families who have suffered some type of trauma has received a $331,675 grant from the Justice Department's Office on Violence Against Women.

PatchWorks House provides supervised visitation and safe exchange of children whose parents are involved in domestic violence situations.

The 12-year-old agency also provides parent education and mediation.

Executive Director Barbara Flood said yesterday the money will be spread over a two-year period, and it will allow the agency to add hours for part-time workers and possibly add another position.

The agency has two full-time employees and four part-time staff members.

"This will be wonderful. We will have a good two years, no doubt," she said.

Part of the grant money will be used to pay for security, which previously was provided for high-risk cases in which families had a record of violence, she said.

The agency received a federal grant in 2003 to implement Seneca County's Safe Havens Program. Its current budget is $150,000, with much of it provided by donations, the United Way, and foundations, she said.

Rep. Paul E. Gillmor (R., Old Fort), who announced the grant to the Seneca County commissioners, wrote a letter of support to the Justice Department, saying that "it is important to me that my constituents who are faced with situations involving domestic violence are afforded access to safe environments, educational programs, and job training and assistance programs."