Hope Harbor, BRASS among those awarded portion of $2.1 million in funding

FRANKFORT, Ky. – On Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear and first lady Britainy Beshear awarded over $2.1 million in federal grant funding to 29 agencies to help prevent sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking in the Commonwealth.

According to the governor’s office, the funding is through the Violence Against Women Act.

“Too many Kentuckians have faced the trauma of being a victim of domestic violence in Kentucky, which is why it’s been my mission since my time as attorney general to make sure fewer families know that pain,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This grant funding is vital to providing services and seeking justice, and I am proud to work with the organizations who are providing support directly to victims and their families.”

The federal VAWA Services, Training, Officers, Prosecution Formula Grant Program requires administrating state agencies to allocate grant funding for law enforcement, prosecutors, victim service organizations, and state and local courts. It also allows for a smaller number of discretionary awards and encourages a focus on projects that serve victims of intimate partner violence.

Beshear recognized recipients of this year’s funding, including:

• The Baptist Health Foundation Hardin has been awarded $80,475 to support the hospital’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and Forensic Team program in Elizabethtown.
• The Daviess County Attorney’s Office has been awarded $74,569 to partially fund two assistant county attorney positions to prosecute domestic violence and related offenses in Daviess County District Court.
• Springhaven, the designated domestic violence shelter serving the eight counties in the Lincoln Trail Area Development District has been awarded $51,019 to employee a victim advocate to provide outreach services, including assistance filing emergency protective orders, court advocacy and support groups.
• Bethany House, which is the designated domestic violence shelter that serves the 10 counties in the Lake Cumberland Ara Development District, has been awarded $35,506 for a court advocate to provide services to victims of domestic violence in the emergency shelter, courts and the communities served by the agency.

In addition, local agencies receiving funding include:

• Barren River Area Safe Space, Inc. has been awarded $49,144.00.
• Hope Harbor, Inc has been awarded $71,000.

“These organizations are helping save lives, protect families and ensure a safer future for so many of our fellow Kentuckians,” Britainy Beshear said. “I am grateful to these organizations for their commitment to ending domestic violence in Kentucky, and I know this funding will help ensure we continue to make progress.”

For a full list of 2025-26 subaward recipients, click here.

To Get Help 

Kentucky’s domestic violence programs and shelters are open 24/7 and are safe for survivors and their families to receive emergency shelter and supportive services. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence and needs assistance, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 800-799-SAFE or by clicking here.

You can reach out to the 24-hour Rape Crisis Line at 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673) to connect with a sexual assault service provider near you or contact your local KSP Post to connect with a victim advocate.