Michael Anthony Adams

michael.adams@indystar.com

Forty-three domestic violence shelters receiving money from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute are now eligible for an additional $740,426, according to a release issued by the institute Monday.

The extra funds will be added to the Domestic Violence Treatment and Prevention fund, which now totals more than $4.2 million, said the institute's executive director, Mary Allen.

Gov. Mike Pence will oversee the applications submitted by each domestic violence program so the process can be expedited and the money "can be made available to shelters as soon as possible," Allen said. Programs are asked to submit their budgets and spending plans, which will be reviewed by the fund's council before allocation.

On Friday, ICJI board members voted to give Indiana's domestic violence programs about $2 million. Domestic violence advocates pleaded with ICJI directors to release more money, as the proposed funding wasn't enough, they said, to meet the growing demand for services.

Laura Berry, executive director of the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, told The Indianapolis Star that her organization is incredibly pleased that the ICJI has been able to identify the additional funds to support the critical needs of domestic violence victims in Indiana.

Star reporters Tim Evans and Marisa Kwiatkowski contributed to this story. Call Star reporter Michael Anthony Adams at (317) 444-6123. Follow him on Twitter: @MichaelAdams317.