February 2000
The State Compensation and
Assistance Division
Introduction
Through its State Compensation and Assistance Division (SCAD), the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) administers two major formula grant programs: Victim Compensation and Victim Assistance. During the past decade, these formula grant programs have greatly improved the accessibility and quality of services to Federal and State crime victims nationwide. The Division awards annual compensation and assistance grants to States in accordance with the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), the VOCA Grant Program Guidelines, the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Financial Guide, other internal OJP policies, and grant administration procedures.The Crime Victims Fund
The Victim Compensation and Victim Assistance grant programs are supported by moneys from the Crime Victims Fund (Fund), established by the 1984 Victims of Crime Act. The Fund is supported, not by tax dollars, but by fines, penalty assessments, and bond forfeitures collected from convicted Federal offenders. OVC distributes more than 90 percent of the Fund's deposits directly to States for compensation and assistance services for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, drunk driving, homicide, and other crimes.Victim Compensation Grants
All 50 States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the territory of Guam have established victim compensation programs. Each program reimburses victims for crime-related expenses such as medical costs, mental health counseling, funeral and burial costs, and lost wages or loss of support when other financial resources, such as private insurance and offender restitution, do not cover the loss. From fiscal year (FY) 1986 through FY 2000, OVC will have distributed $854,117,429 in VOCA compensation grant funds.Victim Assistance Grants
All States and territories receive an annual VOCA victim assistance grant. All States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico receive a base amount of $500,000. The territories of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa each receives a base amount of $200,000. Additional funds are distributed based on population. VOCA funds, awarded to States each year, support more than 5,000 community-based organizations that serve crime victims. From FY 1986 through FY 2000, States will have received $1,966,053,713 in VOCA victim assistance grants.Program Monitoring
The State Compensation and Assistance Division monitors State and local implementation of formula/block grants by reviewing States' performance reports and by conducting periodic onsite visits. Division staff is available to provide technical assistance on the allowable use of VOCA funds. The Division also initiates corrective actions with States when programs are not in compliance with the requirements outlined by the VOCA Grant Program Guidelines.
Training and Technical Assistance/Mentoring
To enhance skills, expand knowledge of emerging issues, and increase collaborative opportunities, SCAD conducts training and technical assistance meetings and conferences for VOCA grant recipients, victim service providers, and affiliated professionals who serve crime victims. The Division supports mentoring by encouraging administrators from different States to share technical assistance and skills training. When administrators request assistance, OVC provides suitable mentors through the Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC). Further, OVC covers associated costs such as trainer compensation, travel expenses, and materials. As it supports State victim assistance and compensation programs, the Division collaborates and coordinates with the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards, the National Center for Victims of Crime and the National Organization for Victim Assistance.Crime Victim Program and Policy Recommendations
Close collaboration with State programs and national crime victim organizations has made the State Compensation and Assistance Division uniquely aware of VOCA's impact on crime victims' lives. Consequently, the Division recommends and initiates actions to improve crime victim assistance and crime victim compensation grant programs at the Federal, State, and local levels. Examples of such efforts by the Division include recommendations for legislative amendments to VOCA and periodical reissuance of the Grant Program Guidelines.For More Information
For more information about the Office for Victims of Crime, the State Crime Victim Compensation and Assistance Grant Programs, and the Training and Technical Assistance Center, contact the following:OVC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202-307-5983
OVC Web Site. . . . . . . . . . . . www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/
OVC Resource Center. . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-627-6872
OVC Resource Center Web Site. . . . . . www.ncjrs.gov
FS000226
Revised February 2000
Revised February 2000