At the present time, there are, or should not be any major issues that hinder victim assistance programs in assisting crime victims in filing for compensation benefits.  Our office has been working since January of 2006 to shorten the length of time that it takes to complete the review of a claim and thereby get the victims money to them much more quickly.  We have been conducting training sessions all over the state to educate the advocates about this initiative titled "60 in '06".  We are happy to report that the claims are now completed within 60 days after they are filed.  We have developed a "Perfected Claims" concept.  If a claim comes in with all required documentation then there is less time spent by staff tracking down missing documentation which also shortens the processing time.  These statewide trainings are designed to educate advocates on how our Compensation Program works, eligibility requirements, document requirements, reporting requirements, etc.  We have received comments from subgrantees indicating that these sessions have been very effective at resolving any questions, confusions, or problems that they have as they explain to victims or help victims file for compensation.  One major issue that was identified as a hindrance is lack of follow thru by the victim themselves when they are given the compensation application/information.

Many of our sub-grantees report working with each other on the local level by coordinating services to victims.  The shelter may make referrals to the local mental  health agency and vice versa.  Many of the advocates work with law enforcement and the justice system to ensure that victims rights are observed and that the victim is included in all aspects of their case.  Additionally, many of the agencies co-sponsor events such as workshops together, especially during Crime Victims Rights Week or Domestic Violence Awareness Month. One program is a Family Justice Center, where several different agencies have come together in one location to be a "one stop shop" for victims to get all of their needs met.  On the state level, we continue to hold our annual Two Days in May Conference and close to 1,400 advocates from all over the state attend annually.  This event promotes collaboration and networking with the participants.  We held our 2nd Annual "Rally in Remembrance" during CVRW and this event brought many disciplines together to honor crime victims at a day long event.

Many of our sub-grantees report that they do not get an opportunity very often to serve a federal crime victim, but when they do they are treated with all the same services as any local victim would receive.  Here in Ohio, the U.S. Attorneys offices have victim advocates at 3 locations in the state.  Information regarding these advocates and how to contact them is made available on the Attorney General's crime victims literature.

On the sub-grant level, they are always looking for and attending training to help improve the delivery of services.  Many of them do not have a very large budget for training opportunities.  Our office has responded by making funds available for our sub-grantees to attend the NOVA conference.  Also, we have created a training academy for advocates called Advocates Dedicated to Victim Assistance and Continuing Education or A.D.V.A.N.C.E.  In addition to holding two week long basic training courses for new advocates, we are offering more intermediate training on a monthly basis.  The topics that we are offering are varied, a couple of topics are cultural diversity, testifying in court, and a course is planned on how advocates and law enforcement can work together more collaboratively.  The goal of the Ohio Attorney General is to improve services by helping the subgrantee understand outcome measures and their relationship to quality services.

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Many continue to report, as they have in the past, that the trends they are noticing include:  re-victimization of the victim by the system; lack of mandatory training on issues of DV for court personnel, judges, prosecutors and  law enforcement; many are noting a lack of volunteerism in recent years; increase in the number of  children who are witnessing or involved in DV situations; an increase in the number of DV shelter clients whose children are in custody of Children's Services; Many victims cannot afford legal support and legal aid is limited; Identity theft is a real problem and how to address it effectively; an increase in the number of crimes against the elderly and children; and some areas where there is no SANE program while the number of sex abuse cases increases.  Also, many negative comments have been received regarding the lack of funding and the hardships this puts on the programs who must still serve victims with depleted resources.

Ohio did not use any funds for administrative purposes during this grant cycle.  All funds were given to local level victim assistance programs to fund direct victim services.