Drake University, Mercy College of Health Sciences, Grand View University, and Simpson College will collectively receive a $510,000 grant for a consortium project entitled “Central Iowa Colleges’ Coordinated Response” submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) Grants to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking on Campus Program.
As a recipient of this competitive award, the four colleges will work together, and with community partners including Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services, to strengthen and formalize education, policies, procedures, and messaging to prevent and respond to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
The Central Iowa Colleges’ consortium proposal was one of 45 grants awarded to institutions of higher education. Mercy College was the lead applicant on the grant, on behalf of the consortium partners.
“We are extremely pleased to have received this grant award from OVW,” said Karen Anderson, vice president of enrollment management and student affairs at Mercy College. “Our colleges have identified the value in sharing resources to ensure consistent messaging and training for college students, faculty, law enforcement and community partners.”