VT OVC State Wide Compensation Report

VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT
STATE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
2008 VERMONT 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:	548
2. NUMBER OF CLAIMS APPROVED AS ELIGIBLE	235
(a) Number of Victims 17 and Under	57
(b) Number approved for victims 18 - 64	172
(c) Number approved for victims 65 and Older	6
3. NUMBER OF CLAIMS APPROVED AS INELIGIBLE OR CLOSED	108
4. NUMBER OF FORENSIC SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION CLAIMS RECEIVED DURING THE REPORT PERIOD. IF SUCH CLAIMS ARE HANDLED THROUGH SEPARATE CLAIMS PROCEDURE. (See Instructions)	260

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	227	134	$297,150
2. HOMICIDE	67	13	$103,493
3. SEXUAL ASSAULT	101	6	$101,048
4. CHILD ABUSE (Including sexual physical abuse)	96		$101,639
5. DWI/DUI	2		$3,276
6. OTHER VEHICULAR CRIMES	5		$6,789
7. STALKING	3	3	$427
8. ROBBERY	3	0	$75
9. TERRORISM	0		$0
10. KIDNAPPING	4	3	$7,935
11. ARSON	0	0	$0
12. OTHER	13	6	$5,336
TOTAL	521	165	$627,168

INDICATE TOTAL EXPENSES PAID BY SERVICE

1. MEDICAL/DENTAL (Except Mental Health)	$202,386
2. MENTAL HEALTH	$268,497
3. ECONOMIC SUPPORT (Lost Wages, Loss of Support)	$66,433
4. FUNERAL/BURIAL (Including all Funeral Related Expenses)	$41,692
5. CRIME SCENE CLEAN-UP	$3,635
6. FORENSIC SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMS	$156,592
7. OTHER	$44,524
8. TOTAL	$783,759

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.

The funding has been level so we haven't expanded any new services. We are keeping our expenses at the current level and providing the same services for victims.

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

We send a client satisfaction survey to every applicant. We do follow up after receiving responses to address pertinent issues. We do policy review with the Victims Compensation Board and we have created a new data system that began July 1, 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.

Our free telephone access through the 800 number is probably the most important way that we use the Administrative funds.  This access, including a TTY for victims who are Deaf and hard of hearing, allows victims to communicate fully with the Claims Specialists here at the Center.  The Compensation Claims Specialists are able to process claims more quickly as a result of receiving all the necessary information without cost to victims and their service providers.


The Administrative Funds also allow the Compensation program to provide stipends and mileage reimbursement for our Board members.  These costs make it possible for people to offer their valuable time and expertise to guide the program by making decisions about policies and procedures and by supporting our Claims Specialists to thoroughly discuss complicated victim circumstances.  This assures a fair process where information is considered from many perspectives, with a victim-centered orientation.  Victims are better served by an engaged and informed Board of Directors committed to addressing their needs.


Finally, Administrative funds are used to pay dues for membership in organizations able to work on the behalf of victims to assure that funds are spent as intended and victims? rights are protected.

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This document was last updated on March 30, 2009