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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVoca DefinitionsVOCA DEFINITIONS Use this information in completing Part 4, Types of Services. Definitions are provided by the U. S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). The information provided in this section must be consistent with the applicant's Statement of Need and Project Proposal. An applicant who receives VOCA funding will be required to maintain data on victims served and types of services provided in accordance with the following definitions. Assistance with Victim Compensation includes making victims aware of the availability of crime victim compensation, assisting the victim in completing the required forms, gathering the needed documentation, etc. It may also include follow-up contact with the victim compensation agency on behalf of the victim. This is a mandatory VOCA service. Criminal Justice Support/Advocacy refers to support, assistance, and advocacy provided to victims at any stage of the criminal justice process, to include post -sentencing services and support. Crisis Counseling refers to in-person crisis intervention, emotional support, and guidance and counseling provided by advocates, counselors, mental health professionals, or peers. Such counseling may occur at the scene of a crime, immediately after a crime, or be provided on an on-going basis. Crisis Hotline Counseling typically refers to the operation of a 24-hour telephone service, 7 days a week, which provides crisis counseling, guidance, emotional support, information and referral, etc. Emergency Financial Assistance refers to cash outlays for transportation, food, clothing, emergency housing, etc. that is supported with VOCA grant funds or reported as matching expenses. Emergency Legal Advocacy refers to the filing of temporary restraining orders, injunctions, other protective orders, elder abuse petitions and child abuse petitions, but does not include criminal prosecution or the employment of attorneys for non -emergency purposes, such as custody disputes, civil suits, etc. Follow-up Contact refers to in-person contacts, telephone contacts, and written communications with victims to offer emotional support, provide empathetic listening, check on a victim's progress, etc. Information and Referral (in-person) refers to in-person contacts with victims during which time services and available support are identified. Other Services refers to other VOCA allowable services and activities not listed in the options provided. Personal Advocacy refers to assisting victims in securing rights, remedies, and services from other agencies; locating emergency financial assistance, intervening with employers, creditors, and others on behalf of the victim; assisting in filing for losses covered by public and private insurance programs including workman's compensation, unemployment benefits, welfare, etc.; accompanying the victim to the hospital, etc. Primary Victims are the people against whom the crime was directed, except in cases of homicide and DUI deaths where the primary victims are survivors. In domestic violence situations, children of spouse abuse victims who receive services are also considered primary victims. Secondary Victims are people other than primary victims receiving services as a result of their own reaction to or needs resulting from a crime directed against a primary victim, e.g., the husband of a rape victim who receives counseling, non -offending caretaker of child abuse victims, etc. Shelter/Safe Rouse refers to providing short- and long-term housing services to victims and families following a victimization. Support Groups refers to the coordination and provision of supportive group activities and includes self- help, peer, social support, etc. Telephone Contacts refers to contacts with victims during which time services and available support are identified. Therapy refers to intensive professional psychological and/or psychiatric treatment of individuals, couples, and family members related to counseling to provide emotional support in crisis arising from the occurrence of crime. This includes the evaluation of mental health needs, as well as the actual delivery of psychotherapy. Individuals who provide this service must meet the criteria outlined in the Florida Statutes (F. S.). Unduplicated Victims are victims not counted on previous quarterly reports. Unduplicated victims may be either primary or secondary victims of crime. A person may be counted more than once only as a result of an entirely separate and unrelated crime during the reporting period, e.g., a domestic violence victim is victimized during a separate episode.