Staff photo by Doug Strickland
Marc Benton with Gallaher & Associates works to install a security system Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at the Family Justice Center in Chattanooga, Tenn. The center is scheduled to launch July 1st.NASHVILLE -- Officials plan to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday in Chattanooga for a new Family Justice Center where public and private agencies will have a centralized location to serve victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.
The facility, located at 5741 Cornelison Rd., is one of two the state is officially opening Wednesday. The other, the Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center, is in Cookeville.
Both will join three other facilities in Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis, which have been in operation since last summer. The program's "core concept" is providing a single spot where families can go to receive services to promote safety and well-being.
The program is part of Gov. Bill Haslam's Public Safety Action Plan and the state Department of Finance and Administration's Office of Criminal Justice Programs (OCJP) is actively engaging with local communities to increase the number of Family Justice Centers.
Current Family Justice Centers have received federal funding through OCJP totaling over $2.3 million to help implement the Family Justice Center model. Additional funding from OCJP supports the nonprofit victim services partners.
The Chattanooga ribbon-cutting will be at 10 a.m. (EDT).
Domestic violence reports are expected to spike after the center opens.