Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program for Cleveland County, NC

The purpose of this award, funded under the OVC FY 2019 Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program, is to develop or enhance crime victim specialist programs within law enforcement agencies to better support victims through the criminal justice process including connecting them with community-based direct victim services programs to more quickly and more effectively serve them. Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) will establish a new Victim Specialist initiative for Cleveland County, North Carolina. Partnering with The Children’s Advocacy Center of Cleveland County, the District Attorney’s Office, Shelby Police Department, and Kings Mountain Police Department, CCSO plans to hire two Victim Specialists to serve victims of crime and family members in high crime areas, including the two Qualified Opportunity Zones in the County. None of the Cleveland County, North Carolina-based law enforcement agencies have Victim Specialists or comparable positions. CCSO will establish the program, create an Advisory Board, hire highly qualified personnel, create and distribute informational materials, and manage partnerships to ensure a comprehensive and seamless service delivery to victims of crime. CA/NCF