The Office of the Governor's Criminal Justice Division (CJD) administers VOCA Victim Assistance funding in Texas while the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) administers VOCA Crime Victim's Compensation funds for the state.  Victim Assistance Programs report awareness training designed to identify crime victims ad provide or refer them to needed services in the community would be beneficial as well as shorther processing time for crime victim compensation claims.  OAG makes available information and compensation applications in English and Spanish, which can be downloaded directly from the OAG website or can be provided by OAG staff.

To be eligible for funding, VOCA Assistance Programs administered by CJD must certify and agree to promote collaboration and coordination among local service systems that involve multiple disciplines and support a seamless delivery of services that focus on each individual's return to physical mental and emotional health.  Coordination efforts qualify an organization to receive VOCA funds but are not activities that can be supported with VOCA funds.  In order to meet this requirement, VOCA sub-grantees participate in community-based and regional collaborations that involve both public and private agenices in developing plans and delivering services.  

VOCA programs provide federal crime victims with the same services available to other crime victims.  Local agencies will work with their local FBI office on child identification, trafficking and Internet crimes.  Some agencies belong to multi-disciplinary teams that may be made up of local, state and federal entities.  These multi-disciplinary teams share information and provide cross-training on a variety of relevant topics.

Texas uses traditional methods to improve and sustain victim services such as providing training to direct service providers, hiring qualified staff, distributing educational information, and measuring progress.  Victim services agencies are required to promote collaboration and coordination among local service systems that involve multiple disciplines and support a seamless delivery of a continuum of services that focus on each individual's return to physical, mental, and emotional health.  Most victim assistance agencies implement client satisfaction surveys to pinpoint service areas requiring improvement.  Program goals and outcomes are closely monitored through program evaluation resulting in impoved service delivery.  In addition, Texas works close with Texas CASA, Inc. and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) who serve as conduit agencies and award sub-grants to local CASA programs and local MADD chapters.  This relationship enhances the efficiency of the distribution and administration of VOCA funding and creates an effective method of reducing administrative expenses while maintaining a high degree of direct services.

Funds have been used to support Court Appointed Special Advocates to child abuse victims to provide shelter and counseling services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, and provide reliable and consistent sources of assistance through trained volunteer staff.  Anecdotal information provided by local agencies and survivors is attached.

Though there has been an increase in the reported incidents of violent crime, the rate of violent crime incidents has increased due to a 12.1% increase in population between 2001 and 2007.  CJD has identified the following trends affecting crime victims in Texas between 2001 and 2007:





1. Overall violent crime rate decreased 10.74%


2. Sexual assault crime rate decreased 7.3%





In response to these trends, victim assistance agencies continue to develop local and regional coordinated service delivery systems for victims of crime, including promoting collaboration among different disciplines to ensure that victims receive a continuum of services from initial contact through the criminal justice system.

VOCA administrative funds allowed staff to attend federal training that addressed critical victim issues and provided technical grant management skills.  In addition, administrative funds were used for a prorated portion of CJD's overall supplies and operating costs a well as victim project evaluation.