State Compensation and Assistance Division

This division is responsible for administering grants that respond to the special needs of all victims of crime through support of state and local crime victim compensation and assistance programs as authorized by the Victims of Crime Act VOCA. This is accomplished through developing and implementing guidelines, awarding grants, monitoring, providing technical assistance, and collaborating and coordinating with the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards, National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators and other organizations. This division:

1. Makes annual awards of compensation and assistance grant funds to states in accordance with the Victims of Crime Act implementing guidelines, and the Office of Justice Programs Financial Guide.

2. Develops and revises guidelines and policies regarding the implementation of the VOCA victim assistance and crime victim compensation grant programs to advance program development.

3. Conducts and encourages training and technical assistance opportunities, as well as meetings and conferences, for VOCA subgrantees.

4. Monitors state and local implementation of the victim assistance and compensation formula/block grants and initiates corrective actions when deficiencies are noted.

5. Prepares reporting forms and formats to capture and disseminate accomplishments and deficiencies in the implementation of the VOCA formula/block grant programs and provides data for the biennial report to the President and Congress on the impact of the VOCA victim assistance and compensation grant programs.

6. Recommends legislative amendments to VOCA pertaining to the victim assistance and crime victim compensation grant programs as well as other aspects of VOCA.

7. Makes recommendations and initiates actions to improve the coordination of victim compensation and assistance services to crime victims at the Federal, state and local levels.

8. Makes recommendations and critiques OVC annual program development plan including training and technical assistance efforts, research, demonstration efforts, etc.

9. Develops internal procedures to ensure the timely award of VOCA formula/block grants to states.

10. Encourages the development and funding of programs serving underserved victims of crime.

11. Provides consultation to states on program planning, funding and development.

More detailed information is available in SCAD Fact Sheets.