One issue would be that programs around the state continue to be understaffed. There are still several counties that only have one, or no, advocate serving victims when the need arises. It becomes difficult for these understaffed programs to be able to spend quality time with the victims reviewing the rules and regulations for victim?s compensation.



A second issue would be the continued lack of training/education that many of the programs have not received regarding the Violent Crime Compensation Program. It continues to be difficult to make sure the proper information regarding changes to the guidelines of the program has being passed along to the people/programs that assist victims/survivors apply for assistance.

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) continues to work closely with the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and the Latino Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence to train and notify each other about problems or potential problems across the state. The state coalitions pay a vital role in our efforts to reach across communities and support programs whose purpose is to improve the lives of victims. Through training efforts and conferences, ICJI and the coalitions have continued to maintain a close alliance to improve the services received by victims of violent crimes. 



ICJI has continued to fund programs through the Indiana Attorney General?s Office and Indiana Department of Corrections.



We also continue to strongly encourage all VOCA-Assistance subgrantees to participate in local task forces, councils, and committees that will bring service providers together to address any unmet needs, overlapping services, or other issues that have arisen at the local level. ICJI continues to also encourage agencies with faith-based initiatives, and those agencies that work within smaller more contained communities. Indiana has numerous rural counties that are in need of support for programs that address the needs of victims of crime. ICJI is working through training efforts, working with the state coalitions, and other agencies to reach the smaller less densely populated areas in the state in order to reach those communities that are not easily accessible. 

VOCA funded programs do provide services to victims of federal crimes as the need arises. ICJI, statewide coalitions, and county advocates work in conjunction with the Northern and Southern U.S. Attorney?s Victim/Witness Coordinators to provide referral information when needed and direct services to those crime victims.

The Victim Services Division of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) conducted five (5) regional trainings regarding VOCA-Assistance grants around the state. We were able to include all current subgrantees and a few programs that will be applying for funding for 2008/2009.



ICJI awarded a training grant to the Latino Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence to help pay for equipment rental and printing expenses for a one-day statewide conference they were hosting. This is the second year that ICJI has been able to award the Latino Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence a training grant.



REAL Services, Inc Older Adult Crime Victim Program continues to receive recognition in their local newspaper for the services they provide to help raise awareness regarding Elder Abuse.

See Attachment: 

The need to provide services for the Hispanic/Latino community is still high. There is also still a need at the local level for more bilingual personnel and informational material.

Administrative funds have been used to pay a portion of the Victim Services Division Director?s salary and the salary of the VOCA-Assistance Program Coordinators salary. ICJI also uses the Administrative dollars to help pay the day to day operational expenses through the Victim Services Division. The funds are needed to help the division assist victims and victim services. The Administrative funds have also been used to pay in-state travel for site visits and travel for state and national trainings. By using administrative dollars, ICJI has been able to send staff to trainings to gain knowledge on improving services to victims, which transfers to aiding the agencies that receive funds and in addition have access to a broader knowledge bank and increases the potential to service more victims. The impact is two fold as we use our dollars to improve customer services, we in turn improve our ability to service our sub grantees in a more efficient and timely manner. Allowing the staff to concentrate on immediate customer service and give support and guidance to the agencies though out the state.