The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet today announced $2.02 million in annual grant money to combat violence against women. Funded by federal allocations via the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the grants will buoy “opportunities for projects throughout the Commonwealth that address domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault and dating violence,” according to a press release issued by the cabinet.

“It’s part of the standard annual grant cycle,” says Justice Cabinet Director of Communications Jennifer Brislin, who was kind enough to dish to LEO Weekly on a state furlough day. “This year, we received $ 2.02 million, and we’re the agency responsible for accepting those applications.”

Brislin says the grant recipients will be announced either shortly after the Oct. 15 deadline, or as late as the first few months of 2011.

One organization that depends on the annual VAWA funds is the Center for Women and Families, a non profit that “helps victims of intimate partner abuse or sexual violence to become survivors through supportive services, community education and cooperative partnerships that foster hope, promote self-sufficiency and rebuild lives” according to its website.

Director of Community outreach Stephen Bowling says the Center usually receives $372,000 in VAWA grants, which are are integral to his organization’s operation because the funds are used to fill grant-mandated, salaried positions.

“We’re a $4.8 million nonprofit,” says Bowling. “As you can imagine, $372,000 is quite crucial for us.”