1. OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION Victim Services

2. strategy  Restore victims to full physical, mental and emotional health  Coordinated local service systems that support a seamless delivery of services  Communities become sensitive to care and safety of victims and hold offenders accountable  Victims who receive coordinated guidance and support while being treated with dignity, compassion and respect will:  cope more effectively;  experience greater capacity for healing; and  be more willing in the future to report crimes.

3. funding  Federal  US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime  Victims of Crime Act, Victims Assistance Program (VOCA)  Recovery Act – VOCA  US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office on Violence Against Women  STOP Violence Against Women (VAWA)  Recovery Act – VAWA  Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP)  State  Texas Legislative Appropriation  Criminal Justice Planning Fund 421 (SF or 421)

4. VOCAVOCA History  The federal Victims of Crime Act was authorized in 1984 (the Act) and established the Crime Victims Fund (the Fund) in the US Treasury  The Fund receives deposits of fines and penalties levied against criminals convicted of federal crimes  Deposits into the Crime Victims Fund through August 2009 total $1,665,162,164  1996 – Act amended to set a base allocation and established a reserve fund to assist victims of terrorist acts or mass violence  1997 – Act amended to extend the grant period to the year of award plus three

5. voca Purpose  Respond to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims  Assist victims in stabilizing their lives after a victimization  Help victims understand and participate in the criminal justice system  Provide victims with safety and security

6. voca Sub-recipient Eligibility Criteria  Public or Nonprofit Organization  Record of Effective Services  Matching contributions of 20% (cash or in-kind)  Use volunteers  Promote community efforts to aid crime victims  Help victims apply for crime victims’ compensation benefits  Maintain civil rights information  Provide equal services to victims of federal crime  Provide grant-funded services at no charge to victims  Maintain the confidentiality of client-counselor information  Cannot discriminate against victims because they disagree with the way the State is prosecuting the criminal case

7. voca Eligible Activities  Crisis Services  Forensic Interviews  Legal Advocacy  Multi-Disciplinary Teams and Case Coordination  Peer Support Groups  Professional Therapy and Counseling  Protective Order Assistance  Shelter  Victim-Offender Meetings

8. VAWAVAWA History  Authorized under the federal Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA)  2000 - reauthorized and amended by the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (VAWA 2000)  2005 – reauthorized and amended by the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 (VAWA 2005 )

9. vawa Purpose  Promotes a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to enhancing advocacy and improving the criminal justice system's response to violent crimes against women.  Encourages the development and improvement of effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to address violent crimes against women.  Encourages the development and improvement of advocacy and services in cases involving violent crimes against women.

10. vawa Federal Award Allocation Requirements  Not less than 25% for Law Enforcement  Not less than 25% for Prosecution  Not less than 5% for Courts  Not less than 30% for Victim Services

11. vawa State Level Certifications  D o not charge victims for filing criminal charges or protection orders.  Do not charge for forensic medical examinations for victims of sexual assault and do not require victim cooperation in order to receive a free forensic sexual assault examination.  Comply with judicial notification requirements regarding firearms.  Prohibit polygraph testing of victims.

12. vawa  Court Services/Improvements (including specialized courts except drug courts)  Crisis Services  Forensic Interviews  Investigation  Legal Advocacy  Multi-Disciplinary Teams and Case Coordination  Peer Support Groups  Professional Therapy and Counseling  Prosecution  Protective Order Assistance  Public Presentations  Shelter  Training and Technology  Victim-Offender Meetings Eligible Activities

13. PROGRAM SUPERVISOR ANGIE MARTIN PROGRAM SPECIALIST/VOCA COORDINATOR MARY HIGHTOWER PROGRAM SPECIALIST/VAWA COORDINATOR MARY WINGO staff responsibilities

14. Program Program  Federal Applications to OVC and OVW  Texas Register Request for Applications  Technical Assistance to COGs  Funding Recommendations  Federal Progress Reports  Federal Financial Reports  VAWA Implementation Plan  Track Unspent Federal Award Balances  Serve as Liaison  Facilitate Meetings AdministrationAdministration

15. GrantGrant  Technical Assistance to Grantees and Applicants  Application Reviews  Financial Status Reports  Grant Adjustments  Special Conditions  Grant Close Outs ManagementManagement