1. Carol Poole NCJA Senior Policy Adviser
Meeting the Needs of Crime Victims Today While Developing Strategies for the Future
Carol Poole
NCJA Senior Policy Adviser

2. Exponential Growth in Funds: Challenges and Lessons Learned
Violence Against Women Act of 1994
$1.6 billion over 6 years; $800 million for states
Governor designated state administering agency
States were given funds and time for planning
Colorado Experience
Steering committee / board
Analysis of demographics and needs in state
Hearings throughout the state
Development of funding strategy

3. Exponential Growth in Funds: Challenges and Lessons Learned
American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009
$2.7 billion in additional funding to Office of Justice Programs
Purpose: to stimulate the economy during an economic crisis
Incredible rush to get the money out to local communities and states – within the fiscal year

4. VAWA Challenges New concept Proactive vs reactive funding philosophies
System vs non-system needs and priorities
Federal requirements required state legislative changes for some states
Territorial/silo thinking by service areas/crime categories
Dilemma for funding board to fund services of questionable quality or allow area to remain unserved

5. VAWA Lessons Learned
Value of designated funds and staff strictly for planning
Hitting the road – getting local input, surveying stakeholders, analyzing data
Choose your words wisely - “Underserved”
Value of multi-disciplinary training teams to expand capacity throughout the state
Value of sharing information with your peers
Value of collaborative, comprehensive planning

6. ARRA Challenges Necessity for quick response Bureaucracy
Legal interpretation and definitions – “infrastructure”
Increased transparency and accountability
New rules
Sheer number of awards
Inexperienced applicants without access to technology
Adequate staff
One-time funding (vs potential for “new normal”)

7. ARRA Lessons Learned It can be done! How to punt
Do you prefer to have all the information when you start a new project?
Be a problem solver…be creative
Going as far as you can with the information that you have
Funding the greatest needs may take the most time and effort
First time applicants/recipients
Provide personalize assistance
It can be done!
“More than 6100 awards, Less than 180 days”
Support the staff
Celebrate the victories

8. ARRA Lessons Learned Value of collaborative, comprehensive planning
Value and challenge of multi-jurisdictional projects
Stand your ground, when you can – “construction”
Prepare for transparency
Prepare for new types of data collection – look at possibility of setting funds aside
Make friends with your counsel AND your Inspector General!

9. Eight Characteristics of High-Performing Teams*
Clear and elevating goal
Results-driven structure
Competent team members
Unified commitment
Collaborative climate
Standards of Excellence
External support and recognition
Principled leadership
*State Justice Institute

10. How are we doing?
Assess progress
Refine the plan
Make mid-course corrections