There are no major issues known that hinder Alabama's victim assistance programs in providing assistance to crime victims in filing for compensation benefits and in informing victims of compensation eligibility.

VOCA program management staff works closely with staff and membership of three statewide victim agencies.  These agencies are:  the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV), the Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers,(ANCAC), and the Alabama Coalition Against Rape (ACAR).  Trhough the growth and development of ACADV and its eighteen shelter members, all of which received VOCA funds during the period October 1, 2007, throug September 30, 2008, victims of family violence in all sixty-seven counties in the state of Alabama have access to safe shelter and other related services.  Many of these counties have active Domestic Violence Task Forces that are comprised of professionals from many disciplines, including law enforcement, prosecution, social services, etc.  The basis mission of these Task Forces is to coordinate a comprehensive response to the needs of domestic violence victims. 





Similarly, the twenty-six children's advocacy centers in Alabama that receive VOCA funding 10/1/07--9/30/08, provide a mult-disciplinary response to child physical and sexual abuse.  Children are interviewed, evaluated, and receive counseling and other support services at child-friendly facilities throughout the state.  Many VOCA-funded children advocacy centers in Alabama have recognized the extreme importance of the role of the non-offending caregiver in responding appropriately and compassionately to victims of child abuse.  Many centers have incorporated specialized services to these secondary victims; unfortunately, due to the cut in VOCA funding, many of these programs for secondary victims will be curtailed in the future. 





Ten members of the Alabama Coalition Against Rape receive VOCA funding to support their direct services to adult victims of sexual assault.  During the period 10/1/07-9/30/08, the state of Alabama funded an innovative program designed to assist victims of sexual assault who are phyically or cognitively challenged.  Additionally, the state's Sexual Assault Response Team/Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner programs continue to receive VOCA support.  





Regarding underserved victims, the state of Alabama has recognized victims of family violence who reside in rural areas as a population that has been historically underserved.  During the period 10/1/2007-9/30/08, more than 800 victims of rural family violencr received VOCA-funded services.  Additionally, VOCA funds support two programs in the state of Alabama that provide specialized services, including crime scene clean-up, counseling, and group therapy, to survivors of victims of homicide.  Mothers Against Drunk Driving continues to utilize VOCA funds to support its services to victims and survivors of victims of drunk driving crimes and offenses.  





   

The use of the Internet for predatory criminal purposes has led to a continuing increase in federal crimes.  Local law enforcement and prosecurtion agencies, as well as VOCA-funded victim service agencies, coordinate with federal law enforcement agencies in these efforts.





VOCA subrecipients network with U.S. Attorney's Offices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and federal probation officers, utilizing their experience by participating in local and statewide committees and providing consultation for setting policies to serve crime victims.  





Federal organizations within Alabama include the Tennessee Valley Authority, Maxwell Air Force Base, Fort Rucker and Fort McClellan.  Victim services programs (VOCA subrecipients) are located within each of these four areas of the state and coordinate their services with these federal organizations.

The Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety (LETS) Division of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) has a Program Integrity Section within its structure.  This section employs full-time program monitors whose time is fully dedicated to performing site visits to LETS subgrantees, including the subrecipients of the Victims of Crime Act.  VOCA-funded program are monitored at least once a year, with a follow-up visit scheduled on an as-needed basis.  These site visits have several purposes:  to ensure that all federal funds are being utilized in compliance with the appropriate state and federal regulations; to track the successful completion of the goals and objectives of each program's application for funding; and to provide technical assistance to subgrantees.  Additionally, ADECA has an internal audit section that performs audits for any program that exhibits fiscal deficiencies.

This information is included as an attachment to this report.

Sadly, the victim services providers in the state of Alabama are experiencing the same funding challenges that are evident in our economy at large.  The staee of Alabama experienced a 17% funding cut from our 2007 to our 2008 VOCA awards; this cut was unavoidably passed forward to our subrecipients.  These large cuts made it necessary for programs to discontinue anything but the most basic of services.  





In the area of domestic violence, shelter programs have had to curtail outreach and awareness efforts in order to afford critical safe shelter for victims and their children.  In the area of child abuse, centers have had to decrease services to secondary victims, including non-offending caregivers.  The role of the non-offending caregiver is believed to be critical to the safety and well-being of a victim of child abuse, so this has been a loss in terms of services to child victims. 





These challenges notwithstanding, the staff of the VOCA subrepient agencies in Alabama have worked collaboratively and creatively to minimize the impact of decreased funding for services to victims.  

VOCA adminsitrative funds are used to support salaries, benefits and travel for the state administrator and the program monitoring staff.