Family Justice Center Looks To Open New Facility

The Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center (FJC) will officially take steps to expand services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

Director Amy Stockwell said the organization will apply for grant funding to help open a satellite campus in Overton County.

“Our idea is, when the opportunity for this funding for the satellite office came along, that it would be a fantastic chance for us to serve some of those northern counties,” Stockwell said. “Maybe reduce some of those obstacles for clients who may be more isolated.”

The Upper Cumberland Family Justice has two employees serving Overton County on a part-time basis. Stockwell said the grant allows the UCFJC to open a full-fledged facility to serve Overton, Clay and Pickett Counties.

“The Overton County location probably won’t look like the Putnam County location,” Stockwell said. “That will be guided by the needs that those stakeholders in Overton County see. I think they are looking forward to shaping that part of the victim services.”

The Putnam County Commission voted Tuesday night to give the Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center permission to apply for that grant.