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VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT STATE COMPENSATION PROGRAM 2002 VERMONT STATEWIDE COMPENSATION PROGRAM Prepared By: Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services 103 South Main Street Waterbury, VT 05671-2001 tel: (802)241-1250
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: 517 2. NUMBER OF CLAIMS APPROVED AS ELIGIBLE: 334 (a) Number of Victims 17 and Under 65 (b) Number approved for victims 18 - 64 264 (c) Number approved for victims 65 and Older 5 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 278 178 255,924 2. HOMICIDE 36 3 49,251 3. SEXUAL ASSAULT 43 4 26,047 4. CHILD ABUSE (Including sexual & physical abuse) 134 77,829 5. DWI/DUI 8 30,189 6. 0THER VEHICULAR CRIMES 14 31,943 7. STALKING 4 3 4,315 8. ROBBERY 2 0 1,884 9. TERRORISM 0 0 10. KIDNAPPING 9 5 6,849 11. ARSON 2 2 3,857 12. OTHER 13 1 10,441 TOTAL 543 194 498,529
INDICATE TOTAL EXPENSES PAID BY SERVICE
1. MEDICAL/DENTAL (Except Mental Health) 150,496 2. MENTAL HEALTH 131,929 3. ECONOMIC SUPPORT (Lost Wages, Loss of Support) 94,657 4. FUNERAL/BURIAL (Including all Funeral Related Expenses 57,939 5. CRIME SCENE CLEAN-UP 2,643 6. FORENSIC SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMS 49,734 7. OTHER 60,865 8. TOTAL 548,263
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. Section III, 12. Other Crimes Paid Food Adulteration 1 - $2,218; Hate Crime 1 - $600; Lewd & Lascivious Conduct 4 - $2,348; Reckless Endangerment 4 - $2,491; Unlawful Restraint 1 - $2,382; Unlawful Trespass 2 ( DV 1) $402 Totals 13 1 $10,441 Section IV, 7. Expenses Paid by Service - “Other” Childcare $194; Mileage $18,467; Miscellaneous $4,196; Rent/Relocation $1 8,867; Safety/Security $7,517; Transportation/Travel $11,624; Total for “Other” $60,865 ==== VOCA funds have allowed Vermont to pay for some additional expenses of crime victims that could not be covered if only state funds were available--e.g., relocation costs for displaced victims of domestic violence, bi-lingual and sign language interpreters, and transportation costs for victims to attend medical and counseling.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 victim compensation program seeks to fairly compensate for their losses the maximum number of crime victims eligible for benefits, while, at the same time, minimizing the number of ineligible applicants compelled to undergo a comprehensive investigative process only to have their claim denied. Percentages of claims approved and denied in Vermont are compared to percentages reported nationally on OVC's summaries of state performance reports. In FY 2002 approved/denied percentages were 65/8 in Vermont; the most recent percentages available nationally (FY 2000) were 68/22. All statistics are computer generated. A program of advocate training on compensation rules and regulations is underway in an effort to increase approvals and further decrease an already low denial rate. Average claim processing time is now 91 days per our computer records; there is currently no backlog of claims.
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. Administrative funds support staff attendance at training conferences; this helps ensure that staff members are well versed and up-to-date on all the latest program service guidelines. Also, administrative funds have been used to purchase new computer equipment that allows for faster claims processing, and to pay for 1-800 and TTY phone service that provides more victims access to services.