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VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT STATE COMPENSATION PROGRAM 2002 MONTANA STATEWIDE COMPENSATION PROGRAM Prepared By: DOJ/OAG/Office for Victim Services & Restorative Justice PO Box 201401 215 North Sanders Helena, MT 59620-1401 tel: (406)444-2649
CLAIMS DATA
1. NUMBER OF NEW CLAIMS RECEIVED DURING REPORTING PERIOD a. Total claims, if only one claim is usually counted per crime: 0 OR b. Total claims, if victims and indirect victims generally count as separate items: 670 2. NUMBER OF CLAIMS APPROVED AS ELIGIBLE: 476 (a) Number of Victims 17 and Under 163 (b) Number approved for victims 18 - 64 305 (c) Number approved for victims 65 and Older 8 3. NUMBER OF FORENSIC SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION CLAIMS RECEIVED DURING THE REPORT PERIOD. IF SUCH CLAIMS ARE HANDLED THROUGH SEPARATE CLAIMS PROCEDURE. (See Instructions) 0
PAYMENT STATISTICS BY CRIME CATEGORY:
a. b. c. TYPE OF CRIME NUMBER OF CLAIMS NUMBER OF DOMESTIC TOTAL AMOUNT PAID PAID DURING VIOLENCE RELATED BY CATEGORY REPORTING PERIOD CLAIMS PAID DURING Including all supple- Includes Column b REPORTING PERIOD mental payments
1. ASSAULT 246 58 655,007 2. HOMICIDE 41 14 79,683 3. SEXUAL ASSAULT 12 3 31,639 4. CHILD ABUSE (Including sexual & physical abuse) 135 91,478 5. DWI/DUI 11 80,224 6. 0THER VEHICULAR CRIMES 1 12,525 7. STALKING 7 2 6,428 8. ROBBERY 0 0 0 9. TERRORISM 0 0 10. KIDNAPPING 3 3 1,456 11. ARSON 0 0 0 12. OTHER 0 0 0 TOTAL 456 80 958,440
INDICATE TOTAL EXPENSES PAID BY SERVICE
1. MEDICAL/DENTAL (Except Mental Health) 694,132 2. MENTAL HEALTH 126,107 3. ECONOMIC SUPPORT (Lost Wages, Loss of Support) 81,131 4. FUNERAL/BURIAL (Including all Funeral Related Expenses 67,069 5. CRIME SCENE CLEAN-UP 0 6. FORENSIC SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMS 0 7. OTHER 0 8. TOTAL 968,439
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. Office of Victims of Crime grant funds are instrumental in Montana's continuing commitment of providing critical services to crime victims. Without the support of federal dollars, Montana's Crime Victim Compensation Program would have to rely solely on state general funds and would be compelled to consider alternatives such as reducing overall benefits or types of services we are able to offer. Either alterative would have a devastating effect on Montana crime victims. With the support of VOCA funds, Montana crime victims receive financial support for metical care, mental health counseling, lost wages and, in cases involving homicides, funeral expenses, loss of support and counseling for the surviving family members.2. HOW DO YOU MEASURE YOUR PROGRAM'S EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS IN REDUCING THE FINANCIAL IMPACTH OF CRIME ON VICTIMS? WHAT ARE THE RESULTS? The overall effectiveness of services to crime victims is measured weekly, monthly and quarterly using time specific computer generated reports. The processing time is measured from the date the claim Is filed to the date of decision. The Reports can be generated to show the average of all claims or the processing time for an individual claim. This is especially important given me increased number of claims received each year and the possibility of a claim falling though the cracks. The increase in staff bas also improved training and outreach efforts. The program supervisor provides on-site visits to law enforcement, prosecutors, victim assistance and victim/witness programs around the state. Victim advocates receive individual training on the compensation program, resulting in improved and more efficient services to victims.
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. Montana's use of VOCA administrative funds has wide-ranging impacts: revised and updated victim compensation materials; an increase number of presentations and trainings for professionals around the state; work with the Department of Corrections to improve the State's restitution statue; broader collaboration with the Attorney General's office. and, a new connection with the State's Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team.