WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today announced that the City of East Prairie has been awarded a federal grant of $349,330 from the U.S. Department of Justice for the Safe Havens program for supervised visitation and exchanges.  The program is used for visits and exchanges between parents and children who have been the victims of domestic violence or when restraining orders are an issue.

“This is a good project, and local partners like the Susanna Wesley Foundation are going to play a big part in hiring and training new supervisors throughout our state and the region,” Emerson said.  “It’s in everyone’s best interest to make sure that children are as safe and as secure as possible during visits with their parents and exchanges in custody.  The City of East Prairie and their non-profit partners made a strong application for this award, and I am very proud that they will be the beneficiaries of this funding.”

The awarding agency is the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.