Jackson County COMBAT awards anti-violence funding to area organizations

Northeast News
December 9, 2013

Officials with Jackson County COMBAT (Community Backed Anti-Drug Tax) announced today that they have allocated $540,000 in funding next year to local agencies who are engaging in efforts to help address violent crime throughout the community.

The funding was approved during today’s Jackson County Legislature meeting.

“This funding will help address many of the reoccurring issues we see with violent crime throughout our community,” said Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders. “But this is just a beginning. All of us must continue to look for new and innovative strategies to reduce and prevent the unacceptable levels of violence that continues to take place in our neighborhoods.”

COMBAT is funded through a one-quarter cent countywide sales tax. Since first being passed in 1989, COMBAT funds have traditionally been awarded to agencies focused on substance abuse treatment and drug prevention.

In September, COMBAT officials announced a plan to also begin funding agencies that specifically work to address various anti-violence strategies in Jackson County. A request for proposals was released, asking for innovative projects that addressed specific issues with violent crime in the community, including gang violence, relationship violence, preventing violence among ex-offenders, restorative justice, and parenting and family interventions, among others. More than 130 individuals showed up to the two pre-bid meetings that were held, and a total of 36 groups applied for the new anti-violence funding. The expanded anti-violence efforts undertaken by COMBAT will not affect funding levels for drug treatment and prevention, which will remain a focus of the agency.

Organizations that received funding for anti-violence efforts include:

ReStart, Inc.: $24,000

Mattie Rhodes Counseling Center: $46,000

Rose Brooks Center: $35,000

Lee’s Summit Cares: $25,000

Ad Hoc Group Against Crime: $40,000

City of Sugar Creek: $29,000

Heartland Center for Behavioral Change: $35,000

Kansas City Crime Commission (2nd Chance Program): $35,000

Arts Tech: $25,000

Freedom School Initiative (Mt. Pleasant Education): $41,000

Boys & Girls Club of Greater KC: $40,000