SD OVC State Wide Compensation Report

VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT
STATE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
2008 SOUTH DAKOTA 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:	318
2. NUMBER OF CLAIMS APPROVED AS ELIGIBLE	186
(a) Number of Victims 17 and Under	47
(b) Number approved for victims 18 - 64	138
(c) Number approved for victims 65 and Older	1
3. NUMBER OF CLAIMS APPROVED AS INELIGIBLE OR CLOSED	25
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	97	25	$327,225
2. HOMICIDE	11	1	$18,717
3. SEXUAL ASSAULT	14	2	$14,030
4. CHILD ABUSE (Including sexual physical abuse)	38		$33,004
5. DWI/DUI	4		$19,449
6. OTHER VEHICULAR CRIMES	1		$130
7. STALKING
8. ROBBERY
9. TERRORISM
10. KIDNAPPING	1	0	$108
11. ARSON
12. OTHER
TOTAL	166	28	$412,663

INDICATE TOTAL EXPENSES PAID BY SERVICE

1. MEDICAL/DENTAL (Except Mental Health)	$357,170
2. MENTAL HEALTH	$19,530
3. ECONOMIC SUPPORT (Lost Wages, Loss of Support)	$21,322
4. FUNERAL/BURIAL (Including all Funeral Related Expenses)	$3,087
5. CRIME SCENE CLEAN-UP
6. FORENSIC SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMS
7. OTHER	$11,614
8. TOTAL	$412,723

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.

VOCA funds continue to be a vital part of the South Dakota Crime Victims' Compensation Program.  This year we have been able to make payments on all claims that were eligible.  VOCA funds account for almost 20% of the funding used to pay these claims.

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

Our program provides a "processing time" report.  The average processing time is currently 161 days.  We also do utilize an "aging report" that helps us identify old claims and we have been in the process of reviewing and addressing any claims older then one year.  There are two investigators and they currently have case loads of approximately 140 claims each.  It is our goal to process most claims within 6-9 months.  We are reviewing ways to enhance our current database system to assist us in tracking the status of claims and processing time.  The enhancements would provide triggers for the investigators when claims reach 6 and 12 month marks, as well as triggering needs for second requests on police reports, employeer verification and medical records.





The Program Manager, Program Assistant and the two Investigators also participate in weekly case management meetings to review questionable cases as well as old cases.  Any claims that are denied are first approved by the Program manager, followed by the Director of the Division of Adult Services and Aging, and the Secretary of the Department of Social Services before the claimant is notified.  All denials can be appealed to the Crime Victims' Compensation Commission.

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.

The VOCA Administrative funds assisted the Program Manager, one Claims Investigator, and one Commission member to attend the national conference.  The VOCA Administrative funds also help pay the salary for the Program Manager, the Program Assistant and the two Investigators.

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This document was last updated on March 30, 2009