Crisis center seeks same 2% to help victims

WORLAND - The Crisis Prevention and Response Center (CPRC) receives just 2% of the general purpose one-cent sales tax funding collected in Washakie County.

Executive Director Katrina Rice said they are seeking the 2% funding again if voters approve continuing the fifth-penny tax in November.

In the past four years, Rice said the tax was utilized to pay off the loan that aided the costs of the facility's new addition. "Additionally, this funding has allowed the CPRC to pay for repairs that are not covered under our state and federal funding, due to lack of funding."

In her letter of interest on the tax to the Washakie County Commissioners, Rice wrote, "In 2020 CPRC's budget was decreased by almost $25,000 due to statewide budget cuts from the fiscal year 2021-22. This year Wyoming is facing a $1.3 million federal cut from the Victims of Crime Act funding stream, which will immensely affect the 62 programs within Wyoming that depend on this funding, including CPRC. Additionally, programs like ours could face an additional 10% decrease as early as July 1, 2022, and again in 2023.

"The continued support of the 2% general purpose tax will assist our program in helping offset the federal budget cuts CPRC is facing."

In an interview, Rice said, "We are an essential service to the community. We operate 24/7, 365 days a year."

She said just like fire, law enforcement and the hospital, some people may not ever utilize the services but when people do need them it is important that they are there. The Crisis Prevention and Response Center is the same, she added.

Rice said the funding, if approved, for the next four years will be utilized as a match for grants, for operation and maintenance of the existing facility, and for providing essential services to victims of crime in Washakie County.

She noted that some of the items they provide to victims are donated but occasionally there are special needs for the victims and the tax funding can help with those expenses.

Rice said they provide a separate accounting of the sales tax funding so "there is never a question of how the taxpayer money is being spent."

The Center has two full-time employees and three volunteers. They are hoping to recruit additional volunteers.

Rice said the Center provides a variety of services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, child abuse, elder abuse and human trafficking within Washakie County.

"Some services we provide include safety planning, crisis intervention, protection orders, court accompaniment, emergency financial assistance and limited assistance with immigration," she said.

In 2021, the center provided approximately 1,300 services to 65 adults and 33 children within the county.