1.	The hefty amount of paperwork involved in filing a claim is sometimes a deterrent to victims following through with the application process.  





2.	The prolonged period of time between payment of the expenses and the claim reimbursement has been a frustration for victims.





3.	Many victims in West Virginia are illiterate or have limited education levels.  These victims have trouble understanding the application forms and procedures.





4.	Many victims are unaware that the Crime Victims Fund exists and/or how to file a claim.  Although the Crime Victims Compensation staff has made an increased outreach effort, there are still victims unaware of the fund.





5.	Lack of education of Law Enforcement regarding the benefits available to victims.





6.	Many victims refuse to file a criminal charge or a police report against the offender.  A police report is required in order to file for compensation benefits.








7.	Embarrassment of their victimization prevents some victims to pursue compensation.





8.	Lack of telephone and transportation services are often barriers for victims who wish to apply for compensation.  The increase cost of gas has further isolated the poor and decreased the access to transportation.





9.	Many victims do not meet the eligibility requirements, especially the ?innocent victim? requirement.





10.	Victims who lack knowledge of the judicial system feel intimidated and do not file claims.





11.	Some victims have civil suites pending and choose not to file until the outcome of the civil case.  Many victims feel the offender should be responsible for restitution.





12.	Many victims choose to utilize private insurance or Medicaid ? they feel it reduces the stigma attached to being a victim of crime.





13.	Some victims (especially Domestic Violence Victims) are afraid of reprisals if they file a claim.  Also sometimes the victim returns to live with the perpetrator and this is a deterrent in filing a claim.





14.	Victim is in a state of trauma (especially sexual assault and domestic violence victims) and cannot process the information or is not able to deal with more paperwork at the time and when they are able the time frame has expended

1.	The development of a state wide Victim Assistance Network to facilitate networking and coordination between systems based advocates and community based advocates. 


 


2.	CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) programs work together as a statewide network on advocating for abused and neglected children.  These programs rely on each other for community awareness campaigns, training events, and education efforts.





3.	VOCA Advocates make efforts to work with local FRN?s (Family Resource Networks), local police departments, sheriff departments, state police detachments, prosecutors offices, Department of Health and Human Resources and many other agencies and providers.








4.	Public awareness campaigns during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Victim Rights Week, etc. These campaigns involve local advocates, criminal justice agencies, service providers and many members of the community and civic organizations. 





5.	Distribution of program materials throughout the community such as local stores, doctor?s offices, police departments, and other service providers.








6.	Presentations to community organizations, schools, college/universities, other service providers etc. on victim rights and services available in the community.





7.	The development of Child Advocacy Centers though out the state.  The CAC model is an example of public/private efforts to aid crime victims.  Coordination of MDT efforts for abused children.





8.	Program participation of Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART).





9.	Training to law enforcement agencies, probation and prosecutor?s offices on victims rights, services available, and where these services are located.





10.	Pursue media contacts for public awareness.  VOCA advocates, in coordination with local officials and community leaders, record public service announcements for local radio and cable stations; print newspaper articles about the services available to victims; and network with local news stations to get victim services publicized.





11.	VOCA advocates work with their local STOP (Violence Against Women) Teams in order to network with other service providers, law enforcement officials and prosecutors.





12.	Continually participate in and utilize volunteers for community events such as health fairs, speaking engagements, transporting victims, Crime Victims Rights Week activities and Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities.








13.	Participate in ?ride along? programs with local law enforcement responding to calls and providing services to victims.





14.	All VOCA sub-grantees are required to develop and implement Memorandum of Understanding with all victim service providers in their service area in order to provide comprehensive victim services for all victims and to collaborate and coordinate services. 

1.	Two representatives for the U.S Attorneys Office serve on the West Virginians Against Violence Committee.  This committee serves as an oversight committee for the VOCA program in West Virginia. 





2.	Both West Virginia VOCA Administrators serve on the Federal Victim/Witness Assistance Committee at the U.S Attorneys Office-Southern District in Charleston, WV.  This committee meets quarterly to discuss current victim issues, upcoming events, and current Federal and State laws concerning victims of crime.  The committee consists of Federal Officials as well as State and local officials who work with crime victims. 





3.	Each year during Crime Victims Rights Week the annual ?Operation Reach Out? resource fair is held to promote victim awareness.  This event is spear headed by the West Virginia Crime Victim?s Compensation Fund in conjunction with the United States Attorney?s Office (Southern District), the WV Victim Assistance Committee; West Virginia Division of Criminal Justice Services, West Virginia Division of Corrections, , YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Center; Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney?s Office; Kanawha County Sheriff?s Department; West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration, the West Virginia State Police the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  In 2008, the Northern District also participated in an ?Operation Reach Out? in coordination with the Southern District.  





4.	Sub-grantees are required to provide services to victims of federal crimes on the same basis as victims of state/local crimes.  Sub-grantees should contact the Victim/Witness Coordinator at their local U.S. Attorney?s Office and advise the Coordinator of the services their program provides and their willingness to assist federal crime victims.  

1.	The VOCA Administrators perform desktop monitoring of all VOCA sub grantees on a monthly basis.  For the period of July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008, at least one on site monitoring visit was conducted for each sub grantee.  New VOCA sub grantees receive at least one on-site visit per year and receive a follow up visit the preceding year.  All other VOCA grantees (pending any technical assistance need or troubleshooting) are monitored on a three year basis.





2.	A sub grantee self monitoring form has been developed and will be provided to sub grantees to submit prior to the end of the funding cycle, for those programs who did not receive an on site monitoring visit by the VOCA administrators.





3.	VOCA administrative funds sponsored one half day training on the VOCA program and grant administration of VOCA funds in West Virginia.





4.	During on-site monitoring visits and technical assistance visits, both administrators collect information concerning individual training needs for each sub grantee. This information is used when meeting with the Federal Victim Assistance Committee and determining the training needs for the state. 





5.	The VOCA Administrators are a part of the West Virginia State Victim Assistance Academy Steering Committee, who is responsible for developing and implementing the week long academy based upon the model from the National Victim Assistance Academy.  VOCA sub-grantees were requested to complete a training needs assessment to determine the training needs for the academy.

1.	In person and telephone information and referral.


2.	Personal advocacy to crime victims.


3.	Follow up services.


4.	Criminal Justice Support/Advocacy.


5.	See attachments for letters etc.

1.	Reduction in Federal funds and the instability of the economy has caused a large turnover in VOCA funded staff.  This has also caused longer periods of time between hiring and difficulty in hiring new staff.





2.	Programs are seeing an increase in clients who have drug dependency and/or mental health issues.


 


3.	Programs are experiencing an increase in juvenile abuse cases.





4.	Issues with clients needing transportation services.





5.	Increase in awareness and efforts to reach the elderly and the disabled populations.





6.	Increased awareness and prioritization of sexual assault victims and services.


7.	Development and implementation of SART (Sexual Assault Response Teams) and SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) programs.





8.	Increase in crimes being committed by juvenile offenders.





9.	Expansion and utilization of child MDIT?s.





10.	SANE mobile units.





11.	Victims of clandestine methamphetamine labs.





12.	Development and increased utilization of Child Advocacy Centers. 





13.	Development of DEC (Drug Endangered Children) teams and protocols.





14.	Emphasis on child victims who are witnesses of domestic violence.





15.	Increase in unemployment and homeless people.





16.	Increase in child abuse and neglect. 





17.	Increased coordination between service providers, advocates, law enforcement and the court system.





18.	Increase in homicides and domestic violence homicides.





19.	Lack of mental health and drug abuse services. 





20.	New gambling establishments opened which are causing victim related problems.





21.	 Increase in identity theft and internet crimes.





22.	Lack of local or state funding.





23.	Abusers learning the system and how to discredit victims.





24.	Certain areas of the state becoming more culturally diverse and a need to address these issues.

.  VOCA administrative funds were used to support staff salaries, necessary supplies and equipment to administer the VOCA program; printing costs for administrative manuals, training materials for grantees, and other grant related documents; travel to OVC sponsored training workshops and conferences; and general support for the program.





2.  The use of VOCA administrative funds continued to allow improvement in the victim services in West Virginia.  The use of these funds allowed for two full-time Justice Program Specialists who co-administer the VOCA program and devote time to the administration of both the program and to 62 VOCA sub grantees.  These two Program Specialists provided technical assistance to sub grantees as well as to other victim service providers in the state of West Virginia.  This technical assistance allowed the state to utilize and manage the limited Federal funds in the most efficient manner possible.