WASHINGTON — U.S Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the U.S Department of Justice (DoJ) has awarded The City of  Frostburg $350,000 under the Safe Havens: Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Grant Program. The grant will be used by Frostburg to develop and implement supervised visitation and safe exchanges of children between parents in cases where there has been a history of domestic violence, child abuse, dating violence, sexual assault and/or stalking.

“In 2009, there were more than 18,500 reported cases of domestic abuse and 53 Marylanders lost their lives. I am thankful that this grant will help prevent domestic violence and abuse by enabling Frostburg and its partners to develop a supervised visitation and exchange program that will ensure greater safety for children and parents,” said Senator Cardin.

“I have zero tolerance for domestic violence. As a social worker, I’ve seen first-hand how domestic violence hurts children and destroys families,” said Senator Mikulski, Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science which funds the DOJ. “These funds in the federal checkbook meet a compelling human need, protecting victims, helping families heal and rebuilding lives. I will continue to fight for the Violence Against Women Act and grant programs that help protect women and their families from continued violence and abuse.”     

The grant will be used by Frostburg and its partners, the Family Crisis Resource Center Inc, the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and the Allegany County Circuit Court to plan and execute a program that will allow for supervised visitation and safe exchanges of children in situations in which there has been domestic violence and abuse.  The program is funded for three years and during the first year funds will be used to conduct a needs assessment to develop a strategic plan for implementation.