Bizzarro announces nearly $1.5 million in grant funding

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency issues support for crime prevention and probation, victim and children’s services

ERIE, Dec. 9 -- State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, announced that the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency awarded a total of $1.49 million to Erie County agencies to support improvements to adult probation, juvenile prosecution and probation, crime victim services and children’s advocacy centers.

“These agencies provide crucial services,” Bizzarro said. “As someone who has worked in victims services, I understand the role of these agencies in protecting our children, helping victims cope, and reintegrating offenders into our communities.” 

PCCD voted to approve five grants to Erie County:

  • $400,000 to Erie-based Pennsylvania Chapter of Children Advocacy Centers to provide 80 trainings, four networking meetings, and other development of the statewide network. 
  • $47,000 to Children’s Advocacy Center of Erie County to support services to children who are victims of abuse in this time of limited fundraising ability.
  • $541,727 to Crime Victim Center of Erie County to improve oversight and management of the juvenile criminal system and improve victims’ services, including notification and compensation. 
  • $42,028 federal funding to support overtime costs due to civil disturbances.
  • $463,030 for county adult probation and parole, which represent flat state funding for county-based services. 

“I am heartened to see the effects of Justice Reinvestment Initiative II -- which I supported last session -- being thoughtfully implemented, federal funding fairly distributed, and support being given to these vital agencies to help them through this trying time,” Bizzarro said.