YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County Commissioners at their meeting last week approved two applications for grants to support prosecution of crimes against women and children.

The Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office and Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court will apply for two STOP Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants, each in the amount of $60,000, both with $20,000 local contributions through the commissioners office.

The county will not necessarily receive all $160,000, but it has a strong track record of securing annual funding through the program for nearly 25 years. Through separate grants, the funding through the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services supports special prosecutors for sex crimes cases and a domestic violence coordinator in domestic relations court.