More VOCA Funds are Coming to Colorado!!!!

Now What??

Increased VOCA funds – Why Now? What’s in the fine print? What’s changing in VOCA? Local input – this is what really matters What does it mean for your

agency/community? What happens next? Tell us what you think!

Today’s Topics

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victims Fund was established in 1984 Funds come from fines and monetary penalties

paid by federal criminal offenders No tax dollars are used to fund VOCA

The amount in the fund has increased significantly in recent years

Congress increased the VOCA cap from $745 million to $2.3 billion (more than tripled)

Where do these funds come from?

Historically VOCA provides funding for: State Victim Compensation Program

Medical costs, funeral and burial costs, mental health counseling, lost of wages or loss of support.

State Victim Assistance Program Crisis Intervention, Emergency Shelter, Emergency

Transportation, Counseling & Criminal Justice Advocacy OVC discretionary grant funds Victim Witness Coordinators in US Attorney’s Offices FBI Victim Specialists Federal Victim Notification System Children’s Justice Act formula grants Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve

What does VOCA Fund?

Mostly to states to distribute to local programs

An increase to the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) for discretionary grants

$10 million for the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to monitor and audit grantees

Federal agencies for victim assistance

Where is the money really going?

Will provide more clarity

Allow more flexibility in the kinds of programs that can be supported i.e. expanded forms of legal assistance,

transitional housing, services to incarcerated victims, etc.

Proposed VOCA RegulationsExpected Release - July 2015

Colorado currently receives approximately $7 million in VOCA funds

Colorado will receive approximately $30 million

that will go towards providing victim services

What’s Colorado Take?

Greater scrutiny, accountability & transparency This includes OVC, DCJ and grantees!

Specific requirements Certify 501 (c)(3) status Must make financial statements publicly

available

Be prepared for new OVC performance measures & data collection requirements

What’s the Catch?

One time “windfall” or “the new normal”?

Match will be required That’s a lot of match!! Can it ever be waived?

The Fine Print

OVC has a $25 million non-competitive discretionary grant solicitation for states.

Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) will receive $416,000 specifically to address training needs.

Increased Training Dollars

How would you use additional VOCA funds? 88% of respondents use

VOCA funds to sustain current services

Needs stated by respondents for major, non-reoccurring uses of additional funds, (even if not currently permitted under VOCA) included:

National SurveyConducted by NAVAA, NCVC, NNEDV, NAESV

(N = 2,358 respondents)

40%

14%28%

7%

10%

5%6%

Funding Needs

Technology

Data/Case Management

Infrastructure

Equipment, Furniture

Research (Strategic Plans, Needs Assessments, Evaluations)

Transportation

Training

Technology

InfrastructureData

Technology, including software, are allowable costs under the current guidelines:

“Automated systems and technology. VOCA funds may be used for automated systems and technology that support delivery of direct services to victims. Examples are automated information and referral systems, email systems that allow communications among victim services providers, automated case-tracking and management systems, and victim notification systems. Costs may include personnel, hardware, and other expenses, as determined by the State administering agency.”

Technology

Do We Have a Plan?Yes, We Do!!

•Met with the Crime Victim Service Advisory Board (CVSB)Feb 2015•Surveyed stakeholders & analyzed data to identify trends & common needs April 2015•Host Forums across the State•Meet with Local VALE ProgramsMay 2015•Meet with statewide organizations Ongoing

Funding Plan

1. One-time Funding Announcement

2. Enhance & Expand Victim Services Programs

3. Statewide Projects

Show Me the Money!!

One-time Funding Needs (approximately 1 year) Tentative date: May 1, 2016

Statewide Projects (2-3 years) Tentative date: January 1, 2016

Additional funds for next funding cycle January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2018

What is Colorado Going to Do?

Statewide grant management systems

Educate on new Performance Measures

Provide grant writing workshops

Utilize different funding processes

New program orientation training for 1st time VOCA recipients

DCJ’s Role

Here’s the good news

VOCA Regulations What’s Changing?

Highlights of Some of the Proposed Changes to VOCA Regulations

Current VOCA Program Guidelines (1997)

Proposed VOCA Program Regulations

Does not define Child Abuse Clarify term used to cover a broad range of harm to children

Definition of “Underserved” category

Expands category to include DUI crashes, adults molested as children, child victims/adult survivors of child pornography, trafficking victims, LGBTQ victims

Does not address monitoring of grantees

Requires state to conduct regular monitoring (on-site once every two years)

Native American Tribes located on Reservations have to provide 5% match

American Indian or Alaska Native tribes on reservations are NOT required to provide match

Proposed VOCA Regulations

Allowable/Non-allowable Costs Now

Proposed Allowable Costs

LEGAL SERVICES: Emergency legal assistance (PO, obtaining emergency custody when connected to family violence case & health/safety of victim)

LEGAL SERVICES: VOCA funds can be used outside context of an emergency for reasonable legal assistance services where the need arises as a direct result of victimization including pro bono legal clinics and civil legal services

SERVICES TO VICTIMS WHO ARE INCARCERATED: Not currently allowed

SERVICES TO VICTIMS WHO ARE INCARCERATED: VOCA funds can be used to serve incarcerated individuals who are victims

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING: Provide TH to victims to extent housing needs related to victimization

RELOCATION EXPENSES: Not allowed except for staff time to assist victims to find resources

RELOCATION EXPENSES: Allowable, reasonable – moving expenses, security deposits on housing, rental/mortgage assistance, utility start-up.

Proposed VOCA RegulationsAllowable/Non-allowable Costs Now

Proposed Allowable Costs

TRADITIONAL/ALTERNATIVE HEALING

IMMEDIATE PHYSICAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH/SAFETY - EXPANDED

FACILITATION OF PARTICIPATION IN CJ PROCEEDING – transportation, meals, lodging for victims who are not witnesses

FORENSIC INTERVIEW – Results not only used for LE, but for social services, personal advocacy, case management, mental health purposes

Proposed VOCA RegulationsProposed VOCA

RegulationsProposed VOCA Program

Regulations

Coordination Efforts: Cannot be supported with VOCA funds

Coordination of Activities: Activities that facilitate provision of direct services (crisis response teams, coor. of victim notification systems) can be supported by salaries/ benefits of VOCA funded staff

Activities that support coordinated/comprehensive response to crime victims : serving on multi-disciplinary teams, victims of federal crime, participation on task forces/ committees to develop protocols, interagency agreements

Needs Assessments, Surveys, Evaluations, Studies: Cannot be supported with VOCA funds

Project Evaluation: Support evaluations of specific victim service projects

Proposed VOCA Regulations Proposed VOCA Program Regulations

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) & other similar volunteer training:Added providing instruction to CASA volunteers on how to be an advocate & provide direct services

Purchasing/Leasing Vehicles: Allowable if such an expenditure is essential to delivering services to crime victims

Purchasing vehicles: Not allowable

Proposed VOCA Regulations

Survey ResultsWhat you told us

Survey sent to: Current Crime Victim Services (CVS) grantee project directors 3 coalitions passed survey on to memberships DA Victim/Witness Directors & Law Enforcement Coordinators

219 responses 54% private non-profits & 46% criminal justice system

(government) Every judicial district represented 72% current CVS grantees & 28% not CVS grantees

Who, What, Where

Trauma Informed practices (interview-treatment)

Victim Rights Act (implementation - compliance)

Human Trafficking

Use of technology by DV perpetrators

Evidence based practices/program evaluation

New strategies in victim services

Training Needs (Trends)

Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Child Abuse

Victim Assistance training (general & specific)

Mental Health First Aid training

Clinical training for SANE nurses

Best practices for outreach to underserved populations

Legal wrap around services

Training Needs (cont.)

#1 Local, in-person, in our community

#2 Regional training

#3 Statewide conferences

#4 Webinars

#5 National conferences

Preferred Methods of Receiving Training

Housing (shelter, transitional, permanent)

Legal services – advocacy & civil legal services

Emergency Financial Services

Sexual assault response services for children

Mental health services (trauma informed)

Language services

Service Delivery Needs

Services not available in many areas (legal, housing, trafficking)

Shortage of housing options (shelter – no room/longer term- limited options)

Limited agencies that provide legal services & long wait to get legal services

Limited medical/SANE exams for children (not all programs will provide exams for children)

How are needed services determined

Victim/Survivors Groups & Highest Need

Victims of domestic violence

Victims of sexual assault

Victims of child abuse

Victims of human trafficking

Domestic Violence So many cases

Sexual Assault Under-reported crime

Child abuse Most at risk Greatest challenges getting services

Human Trafficking Not enough community awareness

Why?

One-time Needs

Shelter maintenance,

repair, & expansion

Technology

ADA updating/co

mpliance

Office Expansion

Training

Statewide Needs

Housing

SART & SAFE/SANE programs

Emergency Funds

Legal Services

Infrastructure Needs

1. Expand the current services that my agency provides

2. Expand outreach services to underserved populations

3. Offer new services that my agency does not currently provide

Greatest Agency Needs

Increase staff Better salaries/benefits Legal Services Housing Training SART development/services SANE services Emergency funds (child care, transportation,

housing, incidentals) Services for trafficked victims & high risk youth

How could an increase in funding be used to address the identified gaps/needs of your agency &

community?

Update technology & databases

Training

Increase safety (ADA, cameras, shelter repairs, security system)

Develop/update best practice manuals/toolkits

Human Trafficking awareness

Outreach materials

If your agency had access to one-time/non-reoccurring funding, how

would your agency use the funding?

Office equipment

Brochures, written material for victims, etc.

Expansion of office/interview rooms

Satellite offices

Enhance website

Enhance case management system

Program evaluation

One-time funding (continued)

Establish a shelter designated for human trafficking victims

Facility to shelter pets while people are in DV shelter

Victim specific waiting area

Build a Victim Self Advocacy App

One-time funding (continued)

Intersection of criminal and civil legal services & impact on victims

Working with incarcerated victims Advances in technology/social media Innovative approaches to working with victims Human Trafficking Cyber crime/cyber stalking/bullying – needs a

unique approach

What trends or innovation in serving crime victims/survivors do you see emerging within the next 5 years that could not be adequately addressed with the current level of financial

resources?

Increase in elder abuse Services for anonymous sexual assault

reporting victims Holistic wrap around services for victims and

families of victims (financial planning, parenting, employment, housing)

Addressing future legislative requirements Integrated primary and mental health care

Future Trends (continued)

Protocols/policies to accommodate men with children

Housing & homelessness Prevention Child visitation and exchange centers In-house legal, mental health, and medical

services for victims

Future Trends (continued)

Increase staff Increase salaries Expand services Ongoing training Increase office space Increase technology Increase outreach Travel and per diem costs Contract with interpreters Expand automated notification for victims

If your agency were to receive a significant ongoing increase in funding,

how would your agency use the funding?

Post foster care services for youth aging out of the foster care system

Telemedicine & remote access to forensic interviews

Comprehensive mental health services – mental health evaluations, cognitive evaluations, trauma informed care, follow up care regarding mental health issues

Ongoing Services (continued)

On-line support group

Integrated case management tool(s)

Help high risk children before they become trafficking victims

Better collaborations between system and non-system agencies

Ongoing Services (continued)

Your Thoughts

Do the survey results reflect your community?What is your community’s big need?

Concerns & Questions

Nancy FeldmanManager, Office for Victims

ProgramsNancyl.Feldman@state.co.us

303-239-4437Toll free number: 1-888-282-1080Website: http://dcj.ovp.state.co.us