Rural Domestic Violence & Child Victimization Grants

Michigan has both major urban areas and extremely isolated rural counties. Some domestic violence service providers in the rural areas of the state cover multiple counties with only one shelter. The state has identified the 13 counties (listed below) designated 100% rural by the 2000 census. These federal grant monies support supplemental contract awards already in place with the domestic violence agencies that serve Michigan's rural-designated counties to provide outreach services and to increase and improve the ability of programs to provide services in their county.

Michigan Counties Designated 100% Rural
Alger	Antrim	Arenac
Baraga	Benzie	Keweenaw
Lake	Missaukee	Montmorency
Oceana	Ogemaw	Ontonagon
Oscoda

The following is a list of Rural Grant specific allowable activities:

1. Expansion and improvement of core services (see Comprehensive Grants).
2. Creation of innovative strategies to address the transportation, communication, child care, and economic constraints faced by victims in rural communities due to geographic isolation.
3. Expansion of treatment and counseling services available to women living in rural areas who are experiencing violence, including the development of creative strategies for detecting and preventing abuse in isolated, rural communities.
4. Creation of rural public awareness and community education campaigns.
5. Costs associated with sending law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and other professionals within the criminal justice system to Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board sponsored or approved training initiatives.
6. Training costs for staff including travel to state and national training.
7. Outreach to Native American tribal governments.
8. Short-term, part-time staff to advance the goals of the grant funding.
9. Costs related with an outreach office located in the rural county.
10. Specific assistance allowances to battered women living in rural areas for transportation related costs.
11. Other allowable items that address specific needs of a particular rural community.