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A.
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR ISSUES, IN YOUR STATE, IF ANY, THAT HINDER VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN ASSISTING CRIME VICTIMS IN FILING FOR COMPENSATION BENEFITS AND IN UNDERSTANDING STATE VICTIM COMPENSATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS?
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Three subgrantees cited concerns. There is a need for more awareness about the program. The public and victims alike do not know much about the program as it pertains to the purpose and process. Subgrantees also stated that there should more sites available within the territory for individuals to file compensation claims. As for child abuse cases, compensation claims filed against parents would greatly affect reunification efforts within the family court division and childrens services. In these situations where returning to family homes is very likely it may be more advantageous to seek reunification instead of compensation.
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B.
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE EFFORTS TO PROMOTE COORDINATED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EFFORTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO AID CRIME VICTIMS.
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Efforts to promote coordinated public and private efforts include:
*Quarterly Criminal Justice meetings which promote interaction between prosecutors, law enforcement and service agencies.
*Regarding child abuse and neglelct cases interagency meetings are held to review the needs of child victims.
*Social service agencies conduct and participate in community outreach projects that promote victim services and safety. Outreach efforts may be thru radio, print or television media campaigns. Some agencies also promote through their websites.
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C.
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE EFFORTS TAKEN TO SERVE FEDERAL CRIME VICTIMS, I.E. COORDINATION ETC.
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Efforts undertaken that may be of benefit to federal crime victims would include:
*Encouraging the use of the shelter to provide temporary shelter to victim witnesses. Providing case data regarding parental kidnapping cases.
*Also cited were efforts to identify and educate immigration domestic violence issues.
*Subgrants participated in Human Trafficking Workshop which will assist agencies in providing better services.
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D.
DESCRIBE ANY NOTABLE ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED AT THE STATE OR SUBGRANT LEVEL TO IMPROVE THE DELIVERY OF VICTIM SERVICES (I.E. NEEDS ASSESSMENTS, PROGRAM MONITORING, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION). INCLUDE TRAINING EFFORTS, AND USE OF VOCA APPROVED TRAINING FUNDS, IF APPLICABLE.
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Notable efforts by social service and legal advocacy agencies:
*Collaborating and participating in U.S. Attorney DV and Trafficking Seminar.
*Participated in interviews by local media regarding legal issues of crime victims.
*Hosted DV/Divorce Seminar for domestic violence victims. Seminar explored how victims may be affected when the legal status of marital relationships change or when custody is established.
*Participation in the National District Attorneys Association Conference (Orlando, Florida). Sessions presented dynamic issues to include: Visual Trial, Family Justice Center,Parental Abduction, Elder Abuse, Cultural Competency.
* Participation in Training Elder Abuse Instructor's Course.
*Pre-service and ongoing training for volunteer advocates.
*Conducted support groups for victims of crime.
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E.
INCLUDE AND/OR ATTACH ANECDOTAL INFORMATION AND INDIVIDUAL CASE HISTORIES ILLUSTRATING AT LEAST FOUR WAYS IN WHICH VOCA FUNDS HAVE BEEN USED TO ASSIST CRIME VICTIMS. (LETTERS FROM CRIME VICTIMS ARE HELPFUL.)
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In the case of a 37 year old female who was a domestic violence victim services were provided to address the issues surrounding her family situation. This victim was also the mother of an 8 month old child. The agency from which she sought help provided CRISIS COUNSELING AND FOLLOW-UP CONTACTS. One violent incident led to her sleeping in her car with her baby because she was so fearful of her boyfriend. The following day she recived additional INFORMATION AND REFERRAL as well as EMERGENCY LEGAL ADVOCACY which resulted in securing a protection order. Further assistance was provided to address custody issues pertaining to the baby. Plans were made to return to the mainland to relocate to family and to secure continued services in her home state. Until such time SHELTER was also provided to this young woman and child.
Another case represents a family of four siblings who had been abandoned by their mother and thus placed in foster care. Through LEGAL and PERSONAL ADVOCACY paternal relatives were located who were interested in providing a home for the children. After careful evaluations it was determined that it would be in the children's best interest to be removed from the Court's jurisdiciton and placed with their father and paternal family.
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F.
IDENTIFY ANY EMERGING ISSUES OR NOTABLE TRENDS IMPACTING CRIME VICTIM SERVICES IN YOUR STATE.
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The following are some of the emerging issues or trends mentioned by subgrants:
*Insufficeint foster home placement options
*Some social workers lack the knowledge of educational services required under the law
*Concern continues as it pertain to firearm confiscation from batterers
*Judges lack of sensistivity to Domestic Violence cases
*Increased involvement of legal advocate in problem solving with law enforcement
*Increase of victim referrals (for legal advocacy) from agencies not traditionally identified as victim services providers (court and law enforcement)
*Notable changes in how local law enforcement respond to domestic violence cases. Some police officers have indicated the need for ongoing information about the law and domestic violence
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G.
SPECIFICALLY DISCUSS HOW YOUR STATE HAS USED VOCA ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS, AND THE IMPACT OF THESE FUNDS ON THE STATE'S ABILITY TO IMPROVE VICTIMS SERVICES.
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VOCA administrative funds are used to offset the salary of a grant manager. Administrative funds are also used to conduct site and desk monitoring activities, posting of RFP'S in print media and technical assistance for subgrantees.
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