Oregon?s Crime Victims? Compensation Program (CVCP) continues to struggle with significant actual and projected budget shortfalls.  Based on the 2005-2007 projection, it was anticipated that the CVCP would have to reduce claim spending for 05-07 by approximately $386,633.  It was also anticipated that additional savings may be needed for 07-09 and 09-11.  



Over the last several biennia, state policy makers have under funded the CVCP.  Historically, the program has always been able to find the dollars necessary to maintain current service levels through the collection of restitution, punitive damage awards and the federal compensation grant.  Collection from criminal offenders and civil law suits is an extremely unpredictable method for securing financial resources.  Although our program continues to make small inroads into this area of collection efforts, the 2005-2007 biennia has not seen a significant increase in dollars collected.  In December 2005 the CVCP implemented a cost savings plan which included several reductions in claim benefits paid out on behalf of qualified victims. (Attachment A)  As a result of the cost savings plan, the Department expended $215,134.00 less in benefits during the 10/01/05 - 09/30/06 VOCA fiscal year. Although the CVCP continues to be under funded, the CVCP was able to reinstate some of the reductions as of August 1, 2007, as a result of the funding saved during the previous fiscal year and an increase in the amount of criminal fines and fees appropriated by the Oregon Legislature.   The CVCP felt that it was important to reinstate certain benefits to victims that were previously eliminated or reduced in an effort to better serve the crime victims of Oregon. (Attachment B)

	

Currently, federal dollars pay for approximately 37% of the payments to victims. Since January 2000, the number of bills processed for payment by the CVCP has increased over 25% and the number of applications received has increased 28%.  It is safe to say that without the VOCA Compensation Grant, Oregon would be forced to implement additional benefit cuts across the board to victims and their providers.  This is why, more than ever, it continues to be essential that the CVCP be a shared federal/state funding partnership. 

The Crime Victims? Compensation Program uses several different performance measures in order to measure the program?s efficiency and effectiveness in reducing the financial impact of crime on Oregon victims.



In the past, one of the key performance measures was the number of Crime Victims? Compensation applications determined in less than 60-days, less than 90-days, and less that 120-days from the date that the claim is received by the program.  During the last year the Program has turned the focused to the quality of work with applicants and victims rather than the quantity of applications processed. This focus proved to be a good change for the CVAS in that the Program has still accomplished making determinations on 90% of our claims within 90-days and the CVCP has been able to spend additional time providing victims with information regarding the compensation program and other possible resources in a compassionate and timely manner.



In regards to payments on accepted ongoing claims, the section?s goal is to pay 100% of the bills received within 60-days of their receipt by the section.  This data is tracked from a weekly pull list.  All claims are reviewed every 30-45 days.  Any accompanying bills are paid at the time the claim is reviewed.  The section has maintained this level of review and payment for this federal reporting period.  Attachment C is a partial list of 30-day aged claims report used to verify that claims are being reviewed for billings.  The case management system is unable to issue a report for the time between receipt of the bill and payment however; supervisors do review the pull the list on a regular basis to ensure that all bills ready for payment are expeditiously processed.



Additionally, as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance our effectiveness and efficiency, we mail out client surveys 6 months after a Crime Victim?s Compensation claim has been accepted.  Attachment D is a compilation of the survey response along with a compilation of narrative comments from victims during this reporting period.

The greatest amount of the compensation administrative dollars expended during this reporting period was used for the program?s proportional share of the rent. As referenced above in the response to question #1, the state under funds the Compensation Program by several million dollars each biennium, so having these funds available to pay for rent, is very significant from the perspective of the Program?s stability.  



Administrative dollars also continue to allow the compensation program to maintain a high level of expertise in the area of emerging issues within the national compensation arena by providing a funding opportunity for staff to attend regional and national training conferences.  During this reporting period we were able to use these funds to send our Director, Assistant Director and Compensation Manager to the National VOCA conference in Williamsburg, West Virginia. These funds have also been used to send six new employees to the Basic Victim Advocacy Training for one week in Salem, Oregon, and to send additional Crime Victims? Assistance Section (CVAS) staff to various trainings with the intention of ensuring continued professionalism, compassion and efficiency when assisting victims of crime. 



Funds were also used for Oregon?s National Crime Victims? Rights Week Ceremony in the way of paying for coordination of the event, purchasing signs, buttons and other public relations material.     



In addition, the program uses administrative dollars to pay for its annual membership in the National Association of Crime Victims? Compensation Boards (NACVB).  The NACVB promotes an exchange of information and ideas through a nationwide network of victim compensation programs. The Association advances better methods for serving crime victims through various training and technical assistance activities, helping its members establish sound administrative practices, achieve fiscal stability, and engage in effective outreach, communication, and advocacy.