Guilford County, NC - A fight between the governor's office and state lawmakers put funding for two domestic violence shelters in jeopardy. The two Guilford County safe-havens were in danger of losing $92,000.
A days worth of phone calls to the governor's office and the North Carolina Council for Women, who distributes the funds proved beneficial for Family Service of the Piedmont.
Just before 5:00pm, a representative with the North Carolina Council for Women, told WFMY News 2's Tracey McCain they'll provide full funding for the shelters this year.
On August 1st, the North Carolina Council for Women started distributing money to only one domestic violence center per county; which left Family Services of the Piedmont's two shelters in Guilford County searching for cash.
"We've gotten funding for our each of our shelters since the mid-80s so this was a shock particularly since we're already in to the fiscal year so we're doing a lot of scrambling to get the money back," said Tom Campbell, the shelter's director.
The interpretation of the North Carolina General Statue started the original fight.
Under General Statute 50B-9 "Every eligible domestic violence center receives the same amount of funding."
Backed by the governor, the council for women gave only "One domestic violence center per county money."
Representative Sarah Stevens of Surry County helped fight for the money, because of her efforts and our phone calls, the shelter will get its money for this year. This still leaves funding for the shelter for next year up in the air.
After receiving the extension Campbell told WFMY over the phone he's, "Relieved about the reversal, but we do have concern for next year. We'll keep working with state lawmakers as to how they'll distribute the money."