PA Grants Benefit Advocates for Elderly, Abused, Child Victims

HARRISBURG PA – Programs in the TriCounty Region that address personal safety, abuse recovery, legal services, and other needs should soon receive more than $8.7 million in grants.

The grants were awarded during a recent meeting of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. They were announced Wednesday (Sept. 9, 2026) by 44th District State Sen. Katie Muth, whose local office is in Royersford.

Funding for the grants came from both federal and state sources.

Top photo by Getty Images on Unsplash+, used under license

For Regional Programs, $3.23+ Million

Some of the programs are regional in nature, and serve multiple counties. The include the following, listed by name, grant amount, purpose, and counties that will benefit:

• SeniorLAW Center: $1,773,231, for the Keeping Elder Victims S.A.F.E. program, in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties;
• Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania: $495,005, to increase safety for domestic abuse victims, in Chester, Montgomery, Bucks and Delaware counties;
• MidPenn Legal Services: $597,866, for Legal Interventions for Victims Empowerment program in Berks and other surrounding counties;
• CASA Youth Advocates: $371,454, advocacy for child victims of abuse and neglect, in Chester and Delaware counties; and
• Children’s Crisis Treatment Center: $91,229, for clinical care coordination for child victims, in Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

For Montgomery County, $2.19+ Million

• The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth: $754,735, to renew the Heather’s Hope Victim Services Program;
• Victim Services Center of Montgomery County: $483,140, to support programming for sexual assault and other crimes;
• The Women’s Center of Montgomery County: $418,797, for domestic violence comprehensive services;
• Laurel House: $368,170, for services to support those impacted by domestic violence; and
• Child Advocacy Center of Montgomery County: $174,116, for a coordinated response to child abuse.

For Berks County, $1.44+ Million

• SAFE Berks: $1,051,348, for its 2025-2027 Federal Victims of Crime Act funding;
• Berks County Commissioners: $121,972, for programming to enhance services to Berks County victims;
• Berks County Commissioners: $188,867, to support county efforts in forensic science and combating opioids;
• CASA of Berks County: $41,794, for continuation of child victim advocacy services; and
• The Community Justice Project, $39,708, for immigration legal services for victims.

For Chester County, $1.77+ Million

• Domestic Violence Center of Chester County: $727,063, for continuing services for victims of domestic violence;
• Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County: $600,592, for its Federal Victims of Crime Act 2025-2027 funding; and
• Pennsylvania Council of Chief Juvenile Probation Officers: $450,000, for its 2026-27 Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy project in Chester County.

The commission’s annual funding “is critically important for the organizations across the Commonwealth,” Muth acknowledges.

It ensures “they can continue to provide the services, support, and programming victims of crime and abuse need to access,” she adds. She pledged to “continue to fight for sustainable, fully funded resources” to prevent violence and serve victims.

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