CLEARWATER - Pinellas County's rape crisis program worked with more than 500 sexual assault survivors last year, but that number could drop drastically unless a local counseling agency can find additional funding.
"If we're not able to replace this funding, the program will be cut in half," said Mary Jo Monahan, president and CEO of Family Service Centers.
Family Service Centers learned recently it had been turned down for a $90,000 domestic violence grant it applied for through the state Department of Children and Families.
The agency spends about $92,000 for two full-time employees and one part-time worker for its rape crisis program. The grant pays for about $41,450 of that.
Monahan said she is approaching local foundations and other supporters to let them know of the financial shortfall.
"The need is there. This is a priority of ours to get this funding," Monahan said.
Maria Sanchez-Masi, rape crisis specialist, said the program is the only one in Pinellas County designed to offer free counseling to people who have suffered sexual assaults.
It works with people 13 or older. Most clients are women, but some are men.
The program also coordinates a network of volunteers who accompany people to medical exams following rapes.
In addition, the staff answers rape crisis hotline phones in cooperation with the county's 211 social services referral line.
The rape crisis program operates out of two offices, one in St. Petersburg and one in Clearwater. The agency can be reached at (727) 535-9811.
