The Office of Attorney General is responsible for all Victim Compensation claims within the State of Maine.  Although the Program Coordinator for the Victim Assistance Program and the Director of the Victim Compensation both serve in an advisory capacity on the VOCA training committee, the two programs remain separated by two different departments within state government. This separation has little effect on the assistance of crime victims when applying for compensation benefits.  During the week long basic victim academy, the Director of Victims Compensation conducts a presentation to all new advocates addressing the state victim compensation eligibility requirements. 

Staff from the Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Child and Family Services have been invited to partner with the Bingham Program regarding their 2008 initiative for the next four years to focus the state's attention on the devastating personal and economic effects of violence against women and children and on what can be done to foster primary prevention in our personal and professional lives (see attached program summary). The Community Services Coordinator and the Community Services Supervisor have taken an active role in the monthly meetings (see attachment).  





The Department subcontracts with the Parents of Murdered Children.  POMC is a self help organization dedicated solely to the aftermath of and prevention of murder.  The organization provides emotional and educational support for surviving victims of homicide.  

The Community Services Coordinator and the Community Services Supervisor collaborates with Maine's CDC and is actively involved in the Safe Families Partnership committee.  This committee's objective is to increase the visibility of intimate partner violence and sexual assault as public health issues, increase awareness of cultural competence within systems of care so that individuals are comfortable in disclosing experiences with violence and to increase screening for lifetime and current intimate partner violence and sexual assault among programs serving women of reproductive age within Maine.





In December of 2008, Governor John E. Baldacci and Public Health Director Dr. Dora Anne Mills and Attorney General Steve Rowe were joined by leaders from Maine's medical community as they issued a health advisory on domestic violence and sexual assault.  Such health advisories are issued by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) in the Department of Health and Human Services as an electronic tool for communicating urgent information to the professional health community and others (see attachments).  The Community Services Coordinator and the Community Services Supervisor have been active players in these meetings.

In 2008, the Community Services Coordinator completed the six remaining site reviews and conducted a presentation for victim advocates at the annual Prosecutor's conference held in October of 2008.  There was a higher number of victim advocates in attendance because VOCA training funds were used to reimburse participants for the training.  Training funds are also utilized to provide support for the Tri-State Consortium as well as the Victim Academy.  The State of Maine contracts with the Muskie School for these services.  The state is responsible for allocating training funds in support of providing victim advocate trainings as well as serving in an advisory role.  Recently the training committee sent out a needs assessment in hopes to obtain more definitive objectives for the next Advanced Academy scheduled in 2009.





Administrative funds are utilized for in-state and out-of-state travel to attend the National VOCA conference, conduct program monitoring and provide training for VOCA funded positions for domestic violence, sexual assault, and victim advocates.  





In September of 2008, the state's Community Services Coordinator attended the annual VOCA conference held in Buffalo, New York.  The Community Services Coordinator had the opportunity to take part in various training sessions involving VOCA issues.  The Community Services Coordinator has also participated in a Batterers' Accountability class and several Lesbian Bi-Sexual, Gay, Transgender Individual "LBGTI" Trainings throughout the state.

VOCA funds are allocated throughout the state to support crime victims with funding for domestic and sexual violence programs, crisis counseling services, group support, shelter, hotline services, criminal justice support, legal advocacy and client support.  





In FY08, there were 12,549 unduplicated victims that received assistance from the ten domestic violence projects; there was also 1,336 unduplicated victims who received assistance from the nine sexual assault projects throughout the State of Maine. (Letters from agencies and crime victims are attached.





The Department contracts with the Attorney General's Office where there are two full-time victim advocates.  The two advocates provide crisis counseling, home visits, referrals for individual treatment and grief support, information regarding victims' rights in the criminal justice system, notification of court hearings, provide travel arrangements for homicide survivors, death notifications, and assist with funeral arrangements for victims of homicide.  





There are ten VOCA funded victim advocates that are court based; services are provided within the criminal justice/prosecutorial systems.  

In 2008, there were 29 homicides in the State of Maine [an increase of 12 from the previous year].  Of those 29 homicides, seventeen were domestic violence situations; five of the victims involved were children.  Exposure to violence can hinder emotional, social and cognitive development.  Children who grow up in homes with domestic violence are often distracted and can have learning and behavioral problems.  Children who are exposed to abuse often repeat the pattern of abuse as adults.  One of the most effective ways to break the cycle is to invest in parent strengthening and early care programs.

Administrative funds are utilized for in-state and out-of-state travel to attend the National VOCA conference, conduct program monitoring and provide training for VOCA funded positions.  In September of 2008, the state's Community Services Coordinator attended the annual VOCA conference held in Buffalo, New York.  The Community Services Coordinator had the opportunity to take part in various training sessions involving VOCA issues.