CT OVC State Wide Compensation Report

VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT
STATE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
2008 CONNECTICUT STATE WIDE COMPENSATION REPORT

CLAIMS DATA


1. NUMBER OF NEW CLAIMS RECEIVED DURING REPORTING PERIOD
a. Total claims, if only one claim is usually counted per crime:
OR
b. Total claims, if victims and indirect victims generally count as separate items:	1,211
2. NUMBER OF CLAIMS APPROVED AS ELIGIBLE	1,169
(a) Number of Victims 17 and Under	329
(b) Number approved for victims 18 - 64	808
(c) Number approved for victims 65 and Older	32
3. NUMBER OF CLAIMS APPROVED AS INELIGIBLE OR CLOSED	302
4. NUMBER OF FORENSIC SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION CLAIMS RECEIVED DURING THE REPORT PERIOD. IF SUCH CLAIMS ARE HANDLED THROUGH SEPARATE CLAIMS PROCEDURE. (See Instructions)

PAYMENT STATISTICS BY CRIME CATEGORY:

TYPE OF CRIME	a. NUMBER OF CLAIMS PAID DURING REPORTING PERIOD Includes Column b	b. NUMBER OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATED CLAIMS PAID DURING REPORTING PERIOD	c. TOTAL AMOUNT PAID BY CATEGORY Including all supple- mental payments
1. ASSAULT	450	32	$1,612,693
2. HOMICIDE	306	13	$1,416,376
3. SEXUAL ASSAULT	44	3	$60,331
4. CHILD ABUSE (Including sexual physical abuse)	49		$49,326
5. DWI/DUI	8		$58,172
6. OTHER VEHICULAR CRIMES	25		$168,445
7. STALKING	0	0	$0
8. ROBBERY	1	0	$100
9. TERRORISM	0		$0
10. KIDNAPPING	0	0	$0
11. ARSON	1	0	$3,565
12. OTHER
TOTAL	884	48	$3,369,008

INDICATE TOTAL EXPENSES PAID BY SERVICE

1. MEDICAL/DENTAL (Except Mental Health)	$1,311,298
2. MENTAL HEALTH	$105,167
3. ECONOMIC SUPPORT (Lost Wages, Loss of Support)	$1,448,502
4. FUNERAL/BURIAL (Including all Funeral Related Expenses)	$462,182
5. CRIME SCENE CLEAN-UP	$0
6. FORENSIC SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMS	$0
7. OTHER	$41,859
8. TOTAL	$3,369,008

Please respond to the following questions
additional 8x11 sheets may be attached if necessary

1. DESCRIBE THE IMPACT THAT VOCA FUNDS HAVE HAD ON YOUR PROGRAM'S ABILITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CRIME
VICTIMS.

During FFY 2007-2008 VOCA funds accounted for 23% of the total funds used by the Office of Victim Services (OVS) for compensation to crime victims in the State of Connecticut. Without the availability of VOCA funds, payments to crime victims would be significantly reduced.

2. HOW DO YOU MEASURE YOUR PROGRAM'S EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS IN REDUCING THE FINANCIAL IMPACT
OF CRIME ON VICTIMS? WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?

The State of Connecticut Office of Victim Services (OVS) uses a number of measures to gauge how effectively and efficiently victims? needs are being met. Average processing time is a key measure in this effort. Processing time is measured along two benchmarks; the amount of time it takes on average to get a file ready for determination and the amount of time on average it takes to reach a determination on a file once it is ready for determination. These average processing times are tracked by the Compensation Program?s automated data collection system, known under the acronym CLOVS. The hiring of two new claims examiners in late 2006 has had a positive impact on claim processing time. From October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008 the average processing time to prepare a file for determination dropped by one and one half months. In late 2007, OVS file determination duties were dedicated to a full time staff position. Because files are being determined at a faster rate, the average time to reach a determination on a file has dropped by one and one quarter months from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008. Total average processing time from receipt of a claim to determination dropped by two and three-quarter months for fiscal year 2008. Another significant measure OVS uses is the Claimant Satisfaction Survey. Surveys are sent out to every claimant within 60 days of issuance of the determination letters. In fiscal year 2008, OVS mailed out 1,227 satisfaction surveys. Of those, 255 were completed and returned for a response rate of 21%. Overall satisfaction with the program was approximately 71% for fiscal year 2008.

3. DID YOUR STATE USE VOCA ADMINSTRATIVE FUNDS?   Yes
   IF YOUR STATE USED VOCA ADMINSTRATIVE FUNDS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE IMPACT THESE FUNDS HAVE HAD ON YOUR
   STATE'S ABILITY TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION OR IMPROVE VICTIM SERVICES.

VOCA Administrative funds were used in various ways to assist the operations of the compensation program. Administrative funds were used for temporary staffing services to assist in the processing of compensation application paperwork. Administrative funds were used to redesign a compensation program poster and cards for distribution to police departments throughout the state. Funds were used to allow compensation program staff to attend a national conference and host a regional training conference. The conferences provided opportunities for networking, information sharing, and the ability to learn new practices and ideas in the area of compensation claims processing.

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This document was last updated on March 30, 2009