New advocates, as well as staff in the courts, police departments, hospitials and other health care providers are in need of continual training in the eligibility criteria and application process. Some providers feel the eligibility requirements are complex, or are difficult to relay to all potential beneficiaries such as the parents of children served by a CAC, who may not realize that insurance co-payments and deductibles as well as time off from work can be eligible costs. For all providers, assiting with victims compensation can be difficult due to the non-legal status, or illiteracy or the non-English speaking status of the victim or the parents of children served by the CAC. In the rural north, we still see individuals whose sense of self-reliance leads to feelings of stigma or shame in seeking assistance.  Victims are often in crisis mode or extremely overstressed, and may find the process so overwhelming they deem it 'not worth it' and fail to follow up on seeking benefits. The victim assistance program may not have funds available immediately to cover emergency costs, and the processing time for compensation payments contributes to this being an issue.

All New Hampshire VOCA subgrantees share the goal of providing the victim with the most streamlined and complete combination of services available.  VOCA funds support six Child Advocacy Centers in the state, which provide comprehensive services in a true model of community coordination.  Each CAC gathers together a representative from law enforcement, prosecution, medical, mental health, child protection and victim advocacy and crisis assistance professions. Other victim service providers report widespread collaboration with local law enforcement, the county attorneys office, medical and mental health providers, courts, and Department of Health and Human Services. Individual subgantees also report coordinating with substance abuse providers, clergy or churches, juvenile justice agencies,first responders, funeral directors, charitable agencies, and nearby domestic violence programs or the closest shelter. Many participate with the County Domestic Violence Council or Project.  We aso see coordination with the two NH SART programs, and SANE advisory board. Unique examples provided by NH subgrantees include the University of NH's Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program, in its work  with the University Athletics Program to create protocols for coaches who learn of student victimization, and the efforts of Starting Point crisis center to deliver home-baked goods as a 'thank you" to law enforcement, hospitals, the local DOVE attorneys, mental health providers and child protection services, enabling Staring Point's staff to meet new personnel and refill their brochures. 


All VOCA subgrantees also coordinate with community agencies for outreach opportunities, and include schools/colleges, social service agencies, and community events similar to the town's 'old home days' in these efforts. 

All VOCA subgrantees are willing and able to serve federal victims should the opportunity arise, and many incorporate training in the VAWA legislation into their regular training process. Programs work with law enforcement to ensure enforcement of foreign protective orders, build excellent relationships with local agencies for referrals and with immigrant legal defense.  Child Advocacy Centers have FBI agents participate in case reviews as appropriate.  One program reports having trained local dv task forces, also hospital staff, on trafficking and immigration related domestic violence issues.

Fourteen of NH VOCA subgrantees participate in a monitoring process administered by the NH Coaltion Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, as well as distribute a survey that is maintained by the Coalition.  Six of the CAC's in NH are participating in a study by the University of NH. Three subgrant agencies have initiated internal training in trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy by pscologists, to the clinical staff, and at least one uses telepsychiatry equipment for children in treatment to access specialized child psychiatry treatment. A few subgrant agencies report revising internal tools such as training manual, shelter intake policies, employee handbooks, resource and referral manuals for clients, clients rights and non-discrimination statements.  Many agencies also report cross-training, with Lutheran Social Services, local mental health providers, the Center on Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning.  Also, agencies provide training to law enforcement, and to the multidisciplinary team of the CAC.


VOCA approved training funds are used to send advocates to the Tri-State Advanced Advocate Academy, the Victims Assistance Academy located at the Muskie School of University of Maine, and NH Attorney General's Conferences on Domestic and Sexual Violence and on Child Abuse and Neglect. 

Please see 18 examples in the attached pdf file "VOCA Anecdotal Information" 

The economic crisis has affected victim service providers.  As in previous years, agencies report that top issues impacting crime victim services include a lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable child care, lack of affordable transportation/public transportation, lack of affordable substance abuse treatment, lack of affordable legal assistance, and unemployment/underemployment.  This year, agencies report additional stress on the victims who are trying to become self-sufficient in an ever-increasingly difficult economy after leaving an abuser, and alternatively spending a longer time staying in an abusive relationship for lack of resources.  Victim service providers are increasingly attempting to "do more with less" and recognize the need to seek any additional funding possible.  Volunteers are having a more difficult time contributing their unpaid hours, and the costs of utilities, rent, etc. are rising for the victims and the victim service providers alike.  Also, several agencies report an increase in the number of victims of robberies served, and indicate a probable correspondence to the suffering economy.


The increase in complexity of the typical case is also a notable issue for most subgrant agencies.  Some cases involve substance or mental health issues co-presenting with domestic violence, some cases involve non-English speaking or illiterate victims, or victims with non-legal status, or those who do not understand the legal system. All require more time and effort and other resources than a less complex case would require. 


The Child Advocacy Centers in New Hampshire have served more victims in recent years, a positive trend yet also one that taxes the advocates in the victims assistance providers. 

The NH Attorney General's Office uses VOCA administrative funds to conduct the normal grant activities related to VOCA Assistance Programs, including submitting federal applications, progress reports and closing reports; reviewing subgrant applications and performance reports; conducting site monitoring visits and desk audits; conference travel and supporting local training conferences.