Representative Dina Titus of Nevada’s First Congressional District announced today that the State of Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child and Family Services has received a $16.7 million Victims of Crime Grant through the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program. Titus led a letter, signed by every member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation, to the DOJ in support of the State of Nevada’s application for funds.

“More than a year after the worst mass shooting in modern history, which occurred in District 1, our community continues to face challenges responding to the needs of those directly and indirectly affected by the events of that horrific night,” said Rep. Titus of Nevada’s First Congressional District. “Survivors, victims, their families, and first responders who put themselves at risk to save lives all need support, and I thank the DOJ for approving this request and helping Nevada meet their needs.”  

The grant will provide reimbursement to Clark County and agencies that responded to the tragedy with victim-related assistance. The grant will also fund the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center, victim and first responder support services, and the State VOCA Compensation Program for Route 91 Victim claims. 

Grants under the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program have been awarded to states where past mass tragedies occurred, including to Florida after the Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2016, to California after the San Bernardino shooting in 2015, to Oregon after the Umpqua Community College shooting in 2015, to South Carolina after the Charleston shooting in 2015, to Massachusetts after the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013, and after the shootings in Newtown in 2012, Aurora in 2012, and Virginia Tech in 2007. 

Text of the letter:

Dear Attorney General Sessions,

We write in strong support of the State of Nevada’s grant application for a Victims of Crime Grant through the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program. 

The 1 October tragedy that occurred in Las Vegas was the worst mass shooting in modern history. People attending a music festival with friends and family for a night of fun were suddenly faced with a massacre that at best left people traumatized and mentally shaken and at worst took the lives of family, friends, and community members. First responders ran into harm’s way to bring calm to a chaotic situation and save lives while risking their own. 

As survivors face physical and emotional recoveries and loved ones of victims cope with painful loss, we must do everything in our power to ease the burdens associated with this tragedy. A family having to bury a loved one should not also have to worry about funeral costs, medical bills, or accessing mental health services; and a survivor should be solely focused on recovery rather than how quickly he or she can get back to work to earn a paycheck.    

We have great confidence that the Nevada’s Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child and Family Services will be a steadfast steward of this grant funding to help the victims and our community heal. With this grant, our community will be able to bolster Clark County’s Vegas Strong Resiliency Center and provide support to victims, first responders, and their families. This grant will assuage some of Nevada’s costs associated with victim advocacy and education; vocational rehabilitation; legal assistance; funding for first responders; and a proactive, ongoing media campaign and outreach to victims. 

Hundreds of people involved in the massacre have already sought financial assistance from the state, and our community faces an additional challenge of reaching the thousands of victims who came from across the United States and around the world to make sure they know how to access the services and financial support available to them. We respectfully request your swift approval to ensure people can get the counseling, rehabilitation, and financial assistance they desperately need. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. 

Sincerely,

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Dina Titus

Member of Congress

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Catherine Cortez Masto

U.S. Senator

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Dean Heller

U.S. Senator

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Mark E. Amodei

Member of Congress

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Jacky Rosen

Member of Congress

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Ruben J. Kihuen

Member of Congress

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