For the Women’s Resource Center and Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania in Scranton, state funding remains critical to allow the organizations to continue their mission.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency recently approved more than $1.4 million in grant funding for agencies in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties that respond to substance use, provide trauma-informed care, and assist victims and families who rely on services throughout the justice system, state Sen. Marty Flynn, D-22, Dunmore, announced.

Among the grant awards, the Women’s Resource Center will receive $125,000 to help reduce violent crimes against women in Lackawanna County.

“We partner with the Lackawanna County district attorney’s office with that money,” said Peg Ruddy, executive director of the center. “We’re able to provide on-call services 24 hours a day. If a victim shows up at an emergency room at any hospital in Lackawanna County, we have an advocate to respond immediately. It’s a vital part of our overall services to keep victims of domestic and sexual violence safe.”

Ruddy added the district attorney’s office uses its portion of the money to fund a Spanish interpreter.

“If there is a crime of domestic violence, or sexual assault, and the victim is Spanish-speaking, he’s available 24/7 to provide them with interpretation,” Ruddy said.

The center will also receive $15,702 for supporting victims of juvenile offenders, Ruddy added.

“We’re able to provide services to any victim who’s been assaulted or injured by a juvenile,” she said. “We work really closely with the court to make sure those victims know we’re here and that we provide safety.”

Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA executive director Meghan Lennox Gagorik spoke during the Pinwheels for Prevention event at the Lackawanna County Courthouse in Scranton on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The event kicked off Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania will receive funding through a $50,000 statewide allocation that supports all CACs across Pennsylvania, said Meghan Lennox Gagorik, executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Children’s Advocacy Centers use the funding to support trained staff who respond immediately when abuse is reported, reduce wait times for forensic interviews and advocacy services, strengthen coordination among investigative partners, and offset rising operational costs while maintaining national accreditation, Gagorik said.

“Much of our work is currently sustained through national grants and competitive funding that are never guaranteed from year to year,” Gagorik added. “Stable state funding is essential because it allows us to plan responsibly, retain highly trained staff, and ensure children receive timely services, regardless of shifts in federal funding cycles or the availability of short-term grants.”

CACs across the state serve an average of 280 children per week, most involving allegations of child sexual abuse, Gagorik said. Locally, the CAC of NEPA and the Luzerne County CAC saw more than 550 cases each in 2024 and, unfortunately, the number of reports has continued to increase this year, she added.

Other grant allocations include:

• $494,530 to support Geisinger’s Project PATH through Federal State Opioid Response Grant IV (SOR) funds.

• $261,900 in VOCA, CVSC & Victims of Juvenile Offender (VOJO) funds for the Luzerne County chief executive officer.

• $180,000 to the Lackawanna County commissioners in Federal State Opioid Response Grant IV (SOR) funds.

• $150,460 to the Lackawanna County commissioners in VOCA Victim Services funds.

• $125,000 to Luzerne County chief executive officer in federal STOP Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funds.

• $29,500 to Integrative Counseling Services through State Endowment Act funds.