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VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT VICTIM ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM 2002 MINNESOTA STATE WIDE ASSISTANCE REPORT Prepared By: Minnesota Center for Crime Victim Services 245 East Sixth Street Suite 705 St. Paul, MN 55101-0000 tel: (651)205-4821
STATE FUNDING INFORMATION
A. THE ANNUAL AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THE VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROJECTS: 1. Appropriations $ 4,787,383 2. Criminal Fines and Penalities $ 0 3. Assessments $ 0 4. Other $ 0 TOTAL:$ 4,787,383
B. TOTAL NUMBER OF AGENCIES FUNDED FROM THE FEDERAL GRANT: 119
C. NUMBER OF SUBGRANTS FUNDED FROM THIS FEDERAL GRANT: 119
VICTIM STATISTICS
A. THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS SERVED BY TYPE OF VICTIMIZATION:
NO. OF NO. OF VICTIMS SERVED VICTIMS SERVED 5,023 1. Child Physical Abuse 1,467 7. Adults Molested as Children 3,465 2. Child Sexual Abuse 430 8. Survivors of Homicide Victims 1,009 3. DUI/DWI Crashes 377 9. Robbery 129,746 4. Domestic Violence 5,775 10. Assualt 3,126 5. Adult Sexual Assault 23,209 11. Other 250 6. Elder Abuse TOTAL: 173,877
B. THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS WHO RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
NO. OF VICTIMS SERVED 55,966 1. Crisis Counseling 84,517 2. Followup 556 3. Therapy 22,756 4. Group Treatment/Support 33,871 5. Shelter/Safehouse 72,295 6. Information/Referral (in-person) 98,283 7. Criminal Justice Support/Advocacy 17,517 8. Emergency Financial Assistance 21,488 9. Emergency Legal Advocacy 10,501 10. Assistance in filing Compensation Claims 65,444 11. Personal Advocacy 111,105 12. Telephone contact Informational/Referral 17,273 13. Other TOTAL: 611,572
A. EFFORTS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AID TO CRIME VICTIMS: MCCVS continues to promote coordinated public and private efforts for the good of crime victims. The following are examples of this coordination. The Day One Center, Inc., is a non-profit program that electronically connects victim service programs providing shelter and safehomes to victims of domestic violence. Through one phone call a victim of domestic violence can access shelter services available statewide. Providers are connected to a web-based system that gives immediate information on available shelter space, which can ensure that safety and services are appropriate and immediately available for women and children who need them. The Day One Center also arranges transportation to safe shelter when needed and has greatly increased the number of women and children who are able to secure safe shelter. The Interagency Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention is a legislatively created body, charged with the responsibility of making recommendations to the State Legislature regarding funding, policy, practices, and coordination with a focus of decreasing and/or eliminating domestic violence and sexual assault. The Task Force is made up of representatives from 17 governmental/private agencies. The Task Force meets every month and will do so through June 2005. MCCVS hosts an annual crime victim conference at Cragun's Resort in Brainerd, Minnesota. The conference brings together victim advocates and program volunteers, criminal justice professionals (law enforcement, prosecution, court), MCCVS staff, and other professionals from all over the state. A wide variety of victim services and related program issues are presented and discussed. In SFY02 there were over 500 participants. Please see the explanation of the new regional model under section D. The development of the regional model is one of the biggest changes MCCVS has made recently to help promote coordinated victim service efforts within each county.
B. EFFORTS TAKEN TO SERVE FEDERAL CRIME VICTIMS: MCCVS coordinates efforts and communicates regularly with the U.S. Attorney's Office and programs located on federal reservations to make sure that federal crime victims are served. VOCA funds support 7 American Indian tribal programs serving virtually all reservation areas within the state. One example is the Victims Services Program for the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. Their community advocacy program for battered women provides a crisis line, information and referral, general and legal advocacy, assistance with orders for protection, transportation services, and group support. Program staff also participates in a task force of reservation court staff, law enforcement, social services, medical and shelter staff to research and improve the present practices toward working with victims to seek cooperative efforts to improve and integrate services. Another component of the Red Lake Program funded with a VOCA grant is the Red Lake Family and Children Services, serving general crime victims. They provide information and referral, advocacy support groups, legal advocacy, assistance in obtaining crime victim reparations, crisis intervention and follow-up. The U.S. Attorney's Office also has an advocate in Red Lake. Together, these two advocates provide access to important services in a very isolated rural area of northern Minnesota. In the Twin Cities metropolitan area, programs such as the Council on Crime and Justice, are working closely with the F.B.I. to assist victims of federal crimes. In addition, the Interagency Task Force on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention includes a U.S. Attorney who prosecutes crimes on reservations.
C. ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE DELIVERY OF VICTIM SERVICES: During SFY02, MCCVS developed a strategic plan for distribution of grant funds during calendar years 2002-2005 (portions of state fiscal years 2003-2006). Information was gathered from communities around the state via several different avenues including focus groups, community town hall meetings and service provider questionnaires. The disposition of the information gathering and formation of the strategic plan changed as news of the state budget shortfall came out. MCCVS was still able to get feedback on what services were the most important to continue considering the shortage of funding. The strategic directions presented in the final report included: 1 . Increasing base level of funding to direct service continuation programs while cutting back on special project funding and programs not providing direct services. 2. Working with the Department of Public Safety Commissioner's Office, Governor's Office, and Legislature to ensure, at a minimum, that state funding is restored to pre-2002 levels. 3. Focusing staff efforts on assisting programs in measuring impact and improving outcomes. 4. Providing incentives to programs that streamline administrative functions. 5. Reviewing program standards and modifying as necessary. 6. Developing a web-based grants management system that will enable programs to apply for funds, request payments and report on-line. A copy of the strategic plan is available for viewing at wwwAps.statemn.us/mccys MCCVS continued to use the regional model style of working with sub-grantees. Program Specialists are assigned sub-grantees by geographic regions of the state versus by a specific type of victimization program (domestic violence, general crime, child abuse or sexual assault). The regional model promotes greater familiarity and understanding of the needs of specific regions and of the victim services in existence, whether fimded by MCCVS or not. Program Specialists are better able to evaluate programs in comparison to those in nearby counties, and see where the gaps in services exist. The regional model also encourages networking among victim services programs and between all programs who have contact with victims (systems and non-profits). Program Specialists are conducting regional networking meetings that are open to victim assistance programs of all crime areas to discuss problems, share best practices and give participants an opportunity to have face-to-face contact with their Program Specialists outside official program site visits. Over the past two years, MCCVS staff has revamped the quarterly statistical reporting report forms that are required from programs. The old forms were created by several different advisory groups in the areas of child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence and general crime. It became apparent that the information we were gathering was not as reliable, valid or consistent as it could be. The forms (beginning in SFY03) were streamlined as much as possible, clearly explaining to sub-grantees what was to be tracked. The summary data MCCVS will receive in SFY03 will better meet the needs of federal fLinders and the state legislature, as well as be an effective tool for internal planning.
D. WAYS VOCA FUNDS HAVE BEEN USED TO ASSIST CRIME VICTIMS: In Minnesota, VOCA funds are used to support a variety of services for victims of all types of crimes. Programs include community advocacy projects, criminal justice intervention projects, child abuse centers, rape crisis centers, and victim/witness assistance programs. A majority of the VOCA funding that these programs receive is used to pay direct service staff. The following are some examples of how VOCA funding has made a difference for victims and for victim service providers. FREEBORN COUNTY CRIME VICTIMS CRISIS CENTER (CVCC), located in Albert Lea, provides services to victims of general crime, domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. In SFY02, there was a murder-suicide that took place in one of Freeborn County's small communities, Hayward. CVCC staff spent time in the community meeting with the residents who were affected by the tragedy providing intervention, assistance filling out reparations claims, and any other services these victims sought. The Hayward Fire Department followed up a few months afterwards with a donation to CVCC and the statement, "We believe the first responders and citizens of Hayward benefitted from your meetings and support." FILLMORE FAMILY RESOURCES (FFR) is a program based in Preston that serves victims of general crime and domestic abuse. During SFY02, FFR received the following quotes on the service evaluation questionnaire that is given to victims after they are provided services by the program: "I couldn't have thought a new life would be as nice as the one FFR helped me to find here and a supportive staff to help with any upcoming trauma from my past. I thank God for them." "Hope they're always there." "I feel I was treated exceptionally well. The greatest respect and caring was shown throughout all of my problems. I again thank the girls for all the courtesy and helpfulness." "I am very impressed with the help and support I've received. To know I have this is such a relief" "You cannot get through the hurt and shame without people like you." "I am very appreciative of the assistance I received at a very scary time." CARLTON COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE has a general crime victim program. The coordinator of this program and has been involved with one of the highest-profile cases that Minnesota has seen in recent years. He submited this anecdote regarding his support of a family. The family still don't have their daughter's remains back, since they were entered into evidence they can't be released until after the appeal process. As you know that process can take years at the Supreme Court level. Since it is evidence the Court and Court Administrator's Office is only supposed to have access to them. I've gotten permission from the Chief Judge in our Judicial District to allow me to let the family come and visit with the remains whenever they wish. The family comes on holidays and the child's birthday and the day of the anniversary of her abduction. We put the family in a private room, we have the box covered with a veil and cross, we have candles lit, pictures of the child, flowers and soft music playing. We allow them to spend as much time as they need with her. The family has told me many times how much they appreciate all our efforts in allowing them this time. I have a note posted on my board from a grandparent that states "You have been a tremendous help to all of the family, thank you". We feel this is the least we can do for this family. It has been almost 5 years since she has been gone and still they can't go on with their lives until they can bury their daughter. Today is the last time they will be able to visit her here. The Supreme Court has asked that all the evidence be sent to them, so until there is a final ruling from the court (let's pray they hurry), the family won't be able to spend anymore time with her. Todd also adds the following anecdote: I also have a card posted from a sexual assault victim that says "you've opened up my mind and heart to make me realize I'm not the only one out there that has been sexually abused and that I can do something about it and I have! Thank you for making a difference in my life! You will never be forgotten!" NEW HORIZONS CRISIS CENTER (NHCC) in Marshall provides advocacy services to victims of sexual assault and general crime. Staff members at NHCC shared these two stories. In our county there was a major case of theft and fraud by a 'public servant.' It involved a public agency, many of the perpetrator's co-workers, and families countywide and beyond. There was so much hurt, anger, and distrust in each of these areas. We were able to work with all areas providing support personally, throughout the trial, during the time that victims, co- workers, and others, testified, and during the sentencing and, subsequent appeal. We assisted approximately 12-15 people with victim impact statements. Our agency was able to help the public agency in general, plus approximately 20 secondary victims and 10- 15 primary victims in this case alone. We also did a community impact statement at the time of sentencing plus wrote a letter to the editor of the local paper to assist in the education and healing of the community as a whole. Our agency was called in to be with a victim who wanted to make a sexual assault report at the sheriff s department. She was there with her daughter and wanted to make a report about the repeated sexual assaults, verbal, and emotional abuse she had suffered at the hands of her spouse over the past 30 years. During the interview the deputy asked her if she had ever been suicidal. The response was "yes," but it was not pursued. After the interview we took the opportunity to ask if she was still planning on killing herself. She adamantly replied "yes." Staff spoke with her and her daughter and then let them leave after securing a promise that, for at least that night, she would not harm herself. Staff also had the assurance that she would be with her daughter at all times until an appointment the next morning. At the following morning's appointment staff made a Dr.'s appointment for her, accompanied her to the clinic and in to her actual appointment. The Dr. asked her if she would have killed herself had we not brought her in that day. She replied "yes" and that she had a gun to do it with. The doctor then informed her that she could either go voluntarily to a secure mental health unit or he would place her on an involuntary 72- hour hold. She chose the voluntary action. Staff followed daughter and her to the placement where she remained for 3 days. (Even though there is much more staff/victim interaction throughout the next year this particular segment is what stood out.)
E. ISSUES OR TRENDS IMPACTING CRIME VICTIM SERVICES: The state budget crisis began its impact upon victim services during SFY02 as some initial cuts were made to a few programs. There will inevitably be additional cuts in state funding coming up as we look ahead to the next state biennium. MCCVS has spent the last few months preparing for different scenarios of state funding cuts that may need to take place depending on what the legislature asks of us. The governor's budget comes out in mid-February which will give us a place to start. Minnesota continues to see some of the same barriers as in the past in providing quality services to crime victims including lack of childcare, transportation problems, affordable housing, cultural and language barriers, and emergency fund availability. Unfortunately with the budget problems, MCCVS won't be able to address these issues to the degree that it would like as it will be a struggle just to keep the doors open at some agencies as they experience cuts in their state funding. Implementation of a statewide automated victim notification system continues to take place statewide. About 20 counties have the system up and running and nearly all of the state's 87 counties will have implemented the system by the end of SFY04. In past years, criminal justice professionals make good faith efforts to reach victims to meet their notification obligations under statute. However, victims are frequently difficult to reach by mail or telephone and do not receive notification. Access to the automated information will improve victim connections and involvement with the criminal justice system while saving local staff time.
F. USE OF VOCA ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS: The VOCA administration funds are used primarily for staff salaries and expenses for attending national conferences and VOCA training opportunities. A small percentage of the funding is used toward various administrative, fiscal, training, and programming expenses of the Grants Unit. VOCA administrative funds primarily impact MCCVS's ability to improve victim services statewide through supporting staffing needs. An adequate number of staff means Program Specialists are able to conduct site visits to sub-grantees, and strengthen the delivery of victim services through assisting programs with financial training, technical assistance, needs assessments, programming development, and program evaluation. Due to the state budget situation, MCCVS used a portion of its VOCA administrative and training funds for sub-grantee awards. These funds would have been otherwise used to fill vacant staff positions and allow staff to take advantage of training opportunities.