MONTGOMERY— Gov. Robert Bentley has awarded an $84,277 grant to help an organization continue assisting domestic violence victims in Marshall, Cherokee and DeKalb counties.

The Marshall County Coalition Against Domestic Violence works with local and state agencies to provide safe shelter, rent and utility assistance, counseling referrals and court advocacy for victims.

The coalition also attempts to prevent domestic violence by distributing printed educational materials and posters and by conducting presentations throughout the year in schools, businesses, churches and at meetings of community organizations.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, infrastructure upgrades, recreation, energy conservation, water resource management, job training and career development.

Bentley notified Christopher Abel, coalition board chairman, that the grant had been approved. Matching funds of $21,069 are supplementing the grant.