SD OVC State Wide Compensation Report

VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT
STATE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
2007 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE WIDE COMPENSATION REPORT

CLAIMS DATA


1. NUMBER OF NEW CLAIMS RECEIVED DURING REPORTING PERIOD
a. Total claims, if only one claim is usually counted per crime:	291
OR
b. Total claims, if victims and indirect victims generally count as separate items:
2. NUMBER OF CLAIMS APPROVED AS ELIGIBLE	239
(a) Number of Victims 17 and Under	54
(b) Number approved for victims 18 - 64	180
(c) Number approved for victims 65 and Older	5
3. NUMBER OF CLAIMS APPROVED AS INELIGIBLE OR CLOSED	73
4. NUMBER OF FORENSIC SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION CLAIMS RECEIVED DURING THE REPORT PERIOD. IF SUCH CLAIMS ARE HANDLED THROUGH SEPARATE CLAIMS PROCEDURE. (See Instructions)

PAYMENT STATISTICS BY CRIME CATEGORY:

TYPE OF CRIME	a. NUMBER OF CLAIMS PAID DURING REPORTING PERIOD Includes Column b	b. NUMBER OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATED CLAIMS PAID DURING REPORTING PERIOD	c. TOTAL AMOUNT PAID BY CATEGORY Including all supple- mental payments
1. ASSAULT	105	29	$325,380
2. HOMICIDE	13	0	$21,659
3. SEXUAL ASSAULT	13	1	$8,341
4. CHILD ABUSE (Including sexual physical abuse)	39		$22,919
5. DWI/DUI	0		$0
6. OTHER VEHICULAR CRIMES	7		$28,992
7. STALKING	0	0	$0
8. ROBBERY	0	0	$0
9. TERRORISM	0		$0
10. KIDNAPPING	0	0	$0
11. ARSON	0	0	$0
12. OTHER
TOTAL	177	30	$407,291

INDICATE TOTAL EXPENSES PAID BY SERVICE

1. MEDICAL/DENTAL (Except Mental Health)	$324,003
2. MENTAL HEALTH	$13,765
3. ECONOMIC SUPPORT (Lost Wages, Loss of Support)	$42,344
4. FUNERAL/BURIAL (Including all Funeral Related Expenses)	$18,792
5. CRIME SCENE CLEAN-UP	$0
6. FORENSIC SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMS	$0
7. OTHER	$8,388
8. TOTAL	$407,292

Please respond to the following questions
additional 8x11 sheets may be attached if necessary

1. DESCRIBE THE IMPACT THAT VOCA FUNDS HAVE HAD ON YOUR PROGRAM'S ABILITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CRIME
VICTIMS.

The Department of Social Services, Adult Services and Aging, Victims' Services managers the Crime Victims' Compensation program.  VOCA grant funding continues to be a substantial contribution to the program and helps the program assist with financial needs of victims' of violent crimes.  VOCA funds have been able to help victims' of crimes pay for medical expenses related to the crimes, afford counseling services, afford child care expenses, replace lost wages, and replace personal belongings.  VOCA funds have also helped familys of victims' of homicide pay for traditional funeral and burial expenses including Native American spiritual leaders, wakes, or memorial dinners.

2. HOW DO YOU MEASURE YOUR PROGRAM'S EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS IN REDUCING THE FINANCIAL IMPACT
OF CRIME ON VICTIMS? WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?

The program manager, program assistant and the two investigators participate in weekly case management meetings to review case load and discuss difficult cases.  The program manager monitors the case load of each investigator through weekly reports which include the length of time each case has been active.  The Crime Victims' Compensation program strives to resolve claims within 120 days.  Claims older then 120 days are routinely discussed at the weekly case management meetings to review any steps necessary to resolve the claims.  Each investigator has the authority to make decisions up to $3,000.  Claims over $3,000 are reviewed at the weekly case management meetings.  Claims that are denied are reviewed by the program manager, The Director of the Division of Adult Services and Aging, and The Secretary of the Department of Social Services before a final decision is made and a denial letter is sent to the claimant.

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.

The administrative funds are used to pay salaries and benefits for the program manager, program assistant, and the two investigators.

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This document was last updated on August 04, 2008