VOCA . . .

VOCA Fund Developments -- FY '11

President Proposes $800 million VOCA Cap

The Obama Administration is requesting a 2011 VOCA cap of $800 million, an increase of $95 million over 2010. However, the proposal also includes new and expanded funding for other programs that will reduce the amount of funds that would otherwise be available for state VOCA victim assistance grants:
" Increase funding for United States Attorneys' Office victim witness coordinators: $32.6 million
(compared to $22.4 million in FY 2010; increase number of positions from 170 FTE to 240 FTE);
" Increase funding for FBI victim assistance specialists: $21.4 million (compared to $14.6 million; increase number of positions from 112 FTE to 155 FTE);
" Reduce funding for Federal victim notification system: $5.4 million (down from $6.4 million in FY 2010); and
" Create a new earmark of $100 million from the Fund "for discretionary grants to aid victims of domestic violence and violence against women, including grants to support domestic violence shelters, transitional housing assistance, and other services."
Based on current information, it appears that under the Administration's proposals, grants for state VOCA victim assistance grants could be cut by as much as $20 million. A 2011 cap of $867 million would ensure a modest growth in state victim assistance grants.

The website of our collegial organization, the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators, is a superb source for detailed information on VOCA budget and spending issues. The above information is taken from their analysis.

Links to VOCA related Web sites: