(Vy_AtveaL cuday, Alte py pennsylvania “6 interest’ SOMMISSION ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY 2 PCCD Honors Judge Ludgate for Exemplary CJAB Leadership ‘The: Pennsylvania’ Commission-on-Crime and. Delinquency.recently awarded Judge Linda K.M. Ludgate for her exemplary leadership of the Berks County CJAB and for her notable work on county, state and national levels in increasing the effectiveness of local criminal justice systems through partnership and planning. Judge Ludgate, who has chaired the Berks County CJAB for the past decade, also serves on PCCD's County Systems Committee. For years she has exhibited remarkable dedication and determination in promoting and supporting the concept of county planning through organized, collaborative CJABs. The Berks County group of top-level ‘criminal justice stakeholders formed in the early 1990s as a Criminal Justice Policy Group. Years later, it was Judge Ludgate's vision to change the name of the group to the Criminal Justice Advisory Board to be consistent with what she saw as PCCD’s growing and vested interest in supporting the organization of such advisory boards on a local level. Judge Ludgate’s leadership allowed the Berks County CJAB to stay on the cutting edge of new statewide CJAB initiatives. When key members for inclusion in a CJAB were identified and suggested by PCCD, Judge Ludgate was one of the first CJAB chairs to extend membership to that entity. Today, the CJAB is a full-bodied complement of criminal justice agencies, courts, social service and treatment providers as well as community-based non-profit groups. The CJAB includes active engagement from services that address specific offender and victim needs, such as substance abuse, mental health, domestic and sexual violence services, housing, education and vocation, among others. When PCCD identified the use of evidence-based practices as a suggestion for best ex &altagirone announces $1.1 million in crime services grants in Berks County -- 6-14-11 Page 1 of | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE © sHaRe State Rep. Thomas Caltagirone D-Berks www.pahouse.com/Caltagirone Caltagirone announces $1.1 million in crime services grants in Berks County READING, June 14 — House Judiciary, Committee Chairman Thomas Caltagirone, D-Berks, announced the approval of nearly $1.1 million in grants by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime.and. Delinquency to assist crime victims and law enforcement in Berks County. Caltagirone, who serves on the PCCD board, said three of the grants were awarded under the federal Victims of Crime Act grant program, which funds programs that provide direct services to victims of crime. "This money will go directly to local programs and services that help sexually abused children, domestic abuse victims and DUI victims right here in Berks County," Caltagirone said. "We must do everything we can to give victims, especially children, a safe place to turn to in crisis. These grouips do a tremendous job in our community to comfort and counsel victims, give them a safe haven in times of need, and provide them with legal assistance and encouragement to break free from their abusers. This funding will help them continue that critical role in our community." He added that the VOCA program is financed by fines and penalties paid by convicted federal offenders, not from tax dollars, to provide financial support to victim assistance programs in Pennsylvania and other states. + The Opportunity House was awarded $76,233 for the Children’s Alliance Center of Berks County. The center provides comprehensive services to child victims of sexual abuse under the age of 18 in Berks County. + Berks County Women in Crisis received $871,709 for its safe house and domestic and sexual violence services. The organization provides domestic and sexual violence crisis and follow-up direct services, including a 24/7 hotline, rapid-response, and safe-haven shelter, plus counseling, support groups, legal assistance and advocacy, information and referrals and supportive services, + Mothers Against Drunk Driving — Berks County received $71,882 to provide services for victims of driving under the influence cases. The group provides counseling, a 24/7 help hotline, criminal justice support including court accompaniment, and more. A fourth grant was awarded to the Western Berks Regional Police Department under the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program. The $39,718 grant will be used to pay staff salaries. JAG is a federal program that funds law enforcement, prosecution and courts, prevention and Education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment, planning, evaluation and technology improvement. http://www pahouse.com/pr/12706141 L.asp 2/15/2012