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VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT STATE COMPENSATION PROGRAM 2002 SOUTH DAKOTA STATEWIDE COMPENSATION PROGRAM Prepared By: South Dakota Department of Social Services 700 Governors Drive Pierre, SD 57501-2291 tel: (605)773-3656
CLAIMS DATA
1. NUMBER OF NEW CLAIMS RECEIVED DURING REPORTING PERIOD a. Total claims, if only one claim is usually counted per crime: 0 OR b. Total claims, if victims and indirect victims generally count as separate items: 454 2. NUMBER OF CLAIMS APPROVED AS ELIGIBLE: 452 (a) Number of Victims 17 and Under 139 (b) Number approved for victims 18 - 64 309 (c) Number approved for victims 65 and Older 4 3. NUMBER OF FORENSIC SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION CLAIMS RECEIVED DURING THE REPORT PERIOD. IF SUCH CLAIMS ARE HANDLED THROUGH SEPARATE CLAIMS PROCEDURE. (See Instructions) 0
PAYMENT STATISTICS BY CRIME CATEGORY:
a. b. c. TYPE OF CRIME NUMBER OF CLAIMS NUMBER OF DOMESTIC TOTAL AMOUNT PAID PAID DURING VIOLENCE RELATED BY CATEGORY REPORTING PERIOD CLAIMS PAID DURING Including all supple- Includes Column b REPORTING PERIOD mental payments
1. ASSAULT 169 53 278,522 2. HOMICIDE 29 9 52,141 3. SEXUAL ASSAULT 26 4 14,197 4. CHILD ABUSE (Including sexual & physical abuse) 79 43,535 5. DWI/DUI 8 19,689 6. 0THER VEHICULAR CRIMES 3 473 7. STALKING 1 1 435 8. ROBBERY 0 0 0 9. TERRORISM 0 0 10. KIDNAPPING 2 1 15,351 11. ARSON 0 0 0 12. OTHER 2 0 898 TOTAL 319 68 425,241
INDICATE TOTAL EXPENSES PAID BY SERVICE
1. MEDICAL/DENTAL (Except Mental Health) 262,401 2. MENTAL HEALTH 72,873 3. ECONOMIC SUPPORT (Lost Wages, Loss of Support) 21,049 4. FUNERAL/BURIAL (Including all Funeral Related Expenses 65,203 5. CRIME SCENE CLEAN-UP 0 6. FORENSIC SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMS 0 7. OTHER 3,641 8. TOTAL 425,167
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 receipt of funds under the VOCA grant has continued to be a substantial factor in our ability to serve crime victims in South Dakota, many of whom are women and children. To that end, approximately 21% of the claims for which payments were made during FFY 2002 were filed by or on behalf of victims of domestic violence, including witnesses to such crimes. More than 31% of the claims approved as eligible were for female victims and 25% were for juvenile victims. (Note: the number identified as “domestic abuse” may be affected by the investigating law enforcement officer’s characterization of the crime involved.) Since 1999-2000 VOCA funds allowed us to expand the types of benefits for which compensation may be paid. For example, we expanded the circumstances for which payments may be made for child care expenses, lost wages, and mileage – including lost wages and mileage expenses for family members of the victim. We also expanded the types of expenses included in funeral expenses thereby allowing us to provide assistance for traditional services such as Native American spiritual leaders, wakes, or memorial dinners. In 2001 we approved coverage for safety and security devices such as solid core doors, door locks, windows, and window locks.2. HOW DO YOU MEASURE YOUR PROGRAM'S EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS IN REDUCING THE FINANCIAL IMPACTH OF CRIME ON VICTIMS? WHAT ARE THE RESULTS? The program manager monitors the number of claims for which each investigator is responsible through weekly automated reports. Our policy is to resolve claims within 90 – 120 days, or the investigator must provide an explanation as to why additional time is needed for a particular claim. Each investigator has the authority to make decisions up to $3,000. Weekly case management meetings make decisions on claims over $3,000, or for claims that are more difficult, regardless of the amount. An average of all claims is used to measure processing time. The average processing time has been reduced from 40 weeks to 28 weeks within the past year. However, the majority of claims are resolved within the 90 – 120 day time frame. The processing time is measured through automated reports.
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. We have continued to apply the portion of the grant allowed to be used for administrative purposes toward the salary and benefits of our claims investigators, and a portion of the salary of the administrative assistant, and the program manager.