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STATE COMPENSATION PROGRAM 2007 ARIZONA STATE WIDE COMPENSATION REPORT |
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| PAYMENT STATISTICS BY CRIME CATEGORY: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| INDICATE TOTAL EXPENSES PAID BY SERVICE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Please respond to the following questions additional 8x11 sheets may be attached if necessary |
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1. DESCRIBE THE IMPACT THAT VOCA FUNDS HAVE HAD ON YOUR PROGRAM'S ABILITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CRIME VICTIMS. |
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VOCA funds enabled the State of Arizona to compensate additional crime victims for medical, mental health, wage loss, and funeral expenses that otherwise would not have been possible. Awards in FFY07 paid with VOCA funds totaled $1,078,295 which equated to assistance for approximately 442 victims of crime. These funds benefit not only the victims but also the service providers in our communities who deliver essential services to victims. Like many other states, Arizona's economy is entering a downturn but still faces a growing population and corresponding number of crimes. VOCA funds are critical to our ability to assist innocent crime victims. In addition, as outreach efforts become more effective, greater demands are placed on the program as more victims become aware of the program and its ability to provide assistance. |
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2. HOW DO YOU MEASURE YOUR PROGRAM'S EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS IN REDUCING THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF CRIME ON VICTIMS? WHAT ARE THE RESULTS? |
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One of the means used to determine the efficiency of the program is the amount of time it takes to process claims. The State of Arizona administers a decentralized Crime Victim Compensation Program within each of the 15 county attorney's offices. At the end of each quarter, the counties submit a quarterly performance and financial report to the Commission listing the average number of weeks required for processing claims. This data is complied by the Commission to determine a statewide average. For FFY07, the average processing time statewide was 8 weeks. This represents an increase of 2 weeks from the prior federal fiscal year. The program rules require Boards to hear claims within 60 days of submission, and we are within this requirement. Arizona continues to seek means to streamline the processing of claims. Effectiveness in reducing the financial impact of crime on victims is measured through the proportion of awards compared to the amount of funds available. As we expand our outreach efforts, more crime victims are filing claims and we continue to look for additional revenue sources. |
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3. DID YOUR STATE USE VOCA ADMINSTRATIVE FUNDS?
Yes
IF YOUR STATE USED VOCA ADMINSTRATIVE FUNDS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE IMPACT THESE FUNDS HAVE HAD ON YOUR STATE'S ABILITY TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION OR IMPROVE VICTIM SERVICES. |
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VOCA administrative funds are critical for Arizona's ongoing effort to improve victim services. The VOCA administrative funds allowed the State of Arizona to pay a portion of the salary and employee related expenditures for a compensation program coordinator. This position is particularly important to Arizona since our program is decentralized. The compensation program coordinator provides technical assistance and ensures county programs are adhering to federal law and Arizona Administrative Code pertaining to the Compensation Program. On-site technical assistance and program compliance reviews were conducted at all 15 county programs. Additionally, the administrative funds allowed staff to attend the national training conference which provides a forum to meet with OVC staff, increase our knowledge of victim issues, and network with other states on victim compensation issues. |
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