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VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT VICTIM ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM 2002 IDAHO STATE WIDE ASSISTANCE REPORT Prepared By: Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance PO Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0036 tel: (208)334-6512
STATE FUNDING INFORMATION
A. THE ANNUAL AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THE VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROJECTS: 1. Appropriations $ 0 2. Criminal Fines and Penalities $ 0 3. Assessments $ 100,820 4. Other $ 146,481 TOTAL:$ 247,301
B. TOTAL NUMBER OF AGENCIES FUNDED FROM THE FEDERAL GRANT: 38
C. NUMBER OF SUBGRANTS FUNDED FROM THIS FEDERAL GRANT: 38
VICTIM STATISTICS
A. THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS SERVED BY TYPE OF VICTIMIZATION:
NO. OF NO. OF VICTIMS SERVED VICTIMS SERVED 506 1. Child Physical Abuse 304 7. Adults Molested as Children 722 2. Child Sexual Abuse 58 8. Survivors of Homicide Victims 341 3. DUI/DWI Crashes 150 9. Robbery 3,802 4. Domestic Violence 330 10. Assualt 340 5. Adult Sexual Assault 1,329 11. Other 27 6. Elder Abuse TOTAL: 7,909
B. THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS WHO RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
NO. OF VICTIMS SERVED 4,121 1. Crisis Counseling 4,608 2. Followup 2,522 3. Therapy 2,414 4. Group Treatment/Support 574 5. Shelter/Safehouse 4,065 6. Information/Referral (in-person) 3,840 7. Criminal Justice Support/Advocacy 428 8. Emergency Financial Assistance 889 9. Emergency Legal Advocacy 1,235 10. Assistance in filing Compensation Claims 5,349 11. Personal Advocacy 5,165 12. Telephone contact Informational/Referral 1,568 13. Other TOTAL: 36,778
A. EFFORTS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AID TO CRIME VICTIMS: One of our grant requirements is to show coordinated efforts are occurring in each community. More and more coordinated efforts to aid victims of crime are occurring throughout Idaho. Networking is very important and knowing what is available in the community is of primary importance when assisting crime victims. Grants from the ICDVVA clearly state that duplication of services is not allowed. Cities and counties are working together more and there are statewide efforts to coordinate responses on a uniform basis. To be eligible for VOCA victim assistance funds, subrecipients must show how they are working collaboratively within their communities toward assisting victims of crime. Of significant note would be efforts throughout the state on the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault, particularly with the infusion of Violence against Women Act (VAWA) STOP grant funds.
B. EFFORTS TAKEN TO SERVE FEDERAL CRIME VICTIMS: The ICDVVA works with the U.S. Attorney’s Office very well. Even though the ICDVVA no longer administers the Indian country grant, all are on our mailing list, invited to and encouraged to participate in any training the ICDVVA has. All have attended various trainings of the ICDVVA during this past year. Idaho has passed implementation language for the “Full Faith and Credit” requirement for civil protection orders to help domestic violence and stalking victims. All grantees of the ICDVVA must serve federal victims, when appropriate.
C. ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE DELIVERY OF VICTIM SERVICES: Idaho has developed a Domestic Violence Task Force composed of the “movers and shakers” in the state. Various members include representatives of the various associations, like Sheriff’s, Chiefs, Magistrate Judges, Coalition, Courts, Corrections, Prosecuting and City Attorney’s and more. We are still working on the rape study. Administrative funds are being used for a sexual assault study, with a contract with Boise State University. Three counties are currently being studied to determine what the response is to rape, from arrest to sentencing. With the VOCA administrative money, the ICDVVA has been better able to monitor the subgrantees. An evaluation component has been encouraged of the subgrantees. The “3 Days in June”, Governor’s Training Conference on Crime Victim Assistance, is the major statewide training in Idaho and uses some administrative dollars. Evaluations showed that this training was very effective in meeting participant expectations and needs. The VOCA administrative funds are used to pay for our webmaster’s part time salary. The ICDVVA website is www.state.id.us/crimevictim. VOCA administrative funds also help with the software required by the subgrantees for reporting purposes and for grantee training in Boise.
D. WAYS VOCA FUNDS HAVE BEEN USED TO ASSIST CRIME VICTIMS: Domestic Violence: VOCA funds pay for the direct victim services, including individual counseling and allowing for more support groups. VOCA funding is an essential component to the viability of the domestic violence programs. Programs have been able to increase the professional counselor that work with domestic violence victims. Sexual Assault: Professional counselors have been hired using VOCA funds that are licensed to counsel both adult and child victims of sexual assault. Without VOCA funds, it is doubtful that quality counselors would be available for these victims of crime. It is important to have the personnel with qualifications that can work with this special group of victims. Drunk Drivers: MADD, Idaho Chapter, is able to provide victim counseling with the VOCA funds. They are able to also help victims with the court procedures, which they have always been able to provide, but the counseling is new and much needed. Victim/Witness Coordinators: VOCA funds have helped a few small counties with the victim notification area of a victim/witness coordinator’s job. These counties work with the law enforcement, victims’groups, prosecutor’s office, and other necessary components of the system to help assure that victims’ rights are given.
E. ISSUES OR TRENDS IMPACTING CRIME VICTIM SERVICES: Again, the emerging issue is the need for more enforcement of crime victims’ rights. Another is the need for services in the more rural areas, where it is very difficult to get a program going, then to have the program sustained. People experience burn-out, and there are is not enough of a population base to replace personnel. Idaho is also currently working on sexual assault standards.
F. USE OF VOCA ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS: Questions D answered a lot of what Idaho has done with our administrative funds. It helps monitor programs, pay part time staff, develop our website, purchase our required report software for subgrantees, helping with training needs, pays for pamphlets and helps with the infrastructure of the non-profit grantees via not only the monitoring but a support person who travels between programs.