The Victim Outreach Intervention Center has learned that it will not receive the $200,000 state grant that annually pays for attorneys to represent victims of abuse in Butler County Court.

Last year the grant covered legal representation for 390 county residents.

“We're the only game in town to help these people,” said VOICe director Heidi Artman this morning. “These people are often isolated by their circumstances and have no access to income. They cannot afford to hire a private attorney.”

Since 2001, the nonprofit agency has received $200,000 each year from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. That money has paid two attorneys.

One receives just under $40,000 a year, and the other gets about $50,000. The remainder of the grant money covers paralegal, administrative and court costs.

The grant paid 100 percent VOICe's legal program budget “so it's a 100 percent loss,” Artman said.

In the past, VOICe simply submitted a letter of renewal and got the grant.

However this year it was awarded competitively, and some of the criteria of the program did not match with the needs of Butler County, Artman said.

As examples, she said, there were components asking for using of law school interns and providing assistance to people for immigration issues.

“There's no law school in Butler County, and we really don't have immigration issues. The money was awarded to more urban organizations,” Artman said, noting that in Butler County, the attorneys mainly assist in protection from abuse and custody hearings. “We did not lose this grant because of noncompliance.”

Artman said officials are contacting numerous other agencies for grant help and asking private donations be sent to 111 S. Cliff St., Suite 1A, Butler 16001.