House OKs $49K funding for private group

The House of Representatives has approved a $49,000 appropriation for a non-government group that cares for people who are victims of domestic violence.

The House approved House Bill 14-374, which aims to tap $49,000 from the Saipan Trust Fund to assist the group, Connecting Families Inc.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Ramon Tebuteb.

Connecting Families Inc. chair Laura J. Tenorio-Fejeran, in an earlier letter to the Legislature, expressed belief that the group can qualify for public funds appropriation since its program directly benefits local residents.

She said that there was a concern about asking for public funds “due to the fact that we are not a public entity.”

“However, public funds are currently allocated for non-profit organizations such as Karidat and the Ayuda Network. Therefore, I believe on that basis, a case can be made for our organization,” she said.

In her letter, Tenorio-Fejeran said she is aware that the trust fund is to be used to directly benefit the indigenous population.

“Initially, all clients we serve will be referred through court order. The vast majority of cases involve people of indigenous ethnicity,” she said.

Moreover, she said that the program will later open up to serve Child Protective Service, which is also largely directly comprised of the local population.

“Therefore, the program will directly impact our indigenous people,” she said.

CFI’s goal is to develop a Child Visitation Center which the Family Court had initially wanted to set up in 1999. The center was also identified as a long-term priority project by the CNMI Violence Task Force.

Tenorio-Fejeran said the CVC would “promote healing within families affected by domestic violence.”

Connecting Families was chartered in 2003 and achieved its non-profit status and full board membership in 2004.

CFI is reportedly expecting to get a grant through the Criminal Justice Planning Agency for a full-time executive director but has no funds for renovation and purchase of equipment.

CFI has been assigned two government buildings, 1262 and 1263, which need renovation work, Tenorio-Fejeran said.

She said the organization has raised funds to renovate the first building but it is in need of funds for the second building.

To be fully operational, CFI needs to hire at least two staff members, the chairperson said.