Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Grant

CFDA #16.575


The general purpose of VOCA is to assist public and private non-profit organizations in providing services to victims of crime. VOCA victim assistance funding is also utilized to develop new programs in underserved victim populations and geographic areas and to enhance successful programs. 

The Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA) is federal legislation aimed at helping victims of crime and established the Crime Victims Fund to compensate crime victims. The fund is financed by fines and penalties by convicted federal offenders not by tax dollars. The Utah Office for Victims of Crime (UOVC) is the agency authorized to administer the grant program. 

The "Victims of Crime Act of 1984" (P.L. 98473, Title II, Chapter XIV) as amended by the "Children's Justice and Assistance Act of 1986" Pub L. 99-401, the "Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988", Pub L. 100-690, Title VII, Subtitle D, and "The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-322, Title XXIII, Subtitle B.) The final rule updated August 8, 2016 codified and updated the existing VOCA Victim Assistance Program Guidelines to reflect changes in OVC policy, needs of the crime victim services field, and VOCA itself. (Federal Register/Vol 81, No 131; 28 CFR Part 94).

VOCA Victim Assistance subrecipients must adhere to all requirements in the VOCA Rule. In addition, VOCA subrecipients must adhere to all requirements in the DOJ Grants Financial Guide, 2 CFR 200OMB Uniform Guidance and applicable Certified Assurances and Grant Conditions.  

Eligibility

State and local governments, private non-profit organizations and Native American Tribes are eligible applicants. An eligible crime victim assistance program must comply with the following requirements:

  1. An applicant agency must be a public or a non-profit organization or a combination thereof, which provides direct services to crime victims;
  2. Demonstrate a record of providing effective direct services to victims of crime, demonstrate community support of services, have a history of providing direct services in a cost-effective manner, and have financial support from non-federal sources;
  3. Meet program match requirements. Match requirements are a minimum of 25%, cash or in-kind, of the total VOCA federal funds. The match is waived for a Native American tribe and/or an organization, located on a reservation.;
  4. Demonstrate that 25-50 percent of their financial support comes from non-federal sources if they are a new program that has not demonstrated a record of providing victim services;
  5. Utilize volunteers;
  6. Follow the VOCA non-discrimination provisions;
  7. Promote within the community served, coordinated public and private efforts to aid crime victims;
  8. Assist victims in seeking available crime victim compensation benefits;
  9. Provide services to victims of Federal crimes on the same basis as State crime victims;
  10. Provide services, at no charge, through the VOCA funded project. Any deviation from this provision requires prior approval by the state grantee;
  11. Maintain confidentiality of client-counselor information, as required by state and federal law;
  12. Comply with the applicable provisions of VOCA, the Program Guidelines, and the requirements of the M7100.1D which includes maintaining appropriate programmatic and financial records that fully disclose the amount and disposition of VOCA funds received;
  13. Maintain statutorily required civil rights statistics on victims served by race or national origin, sex, age, and disability; and permit reasonable access to its books, documents, papers, and records to determine whether the recipient is complying with applicable civil rights laws;
  14. Ensure Confidentiality of Research Information under 1407(d) of VOCA codified at 42 U.S.C. 10604;
  15. Submit statistical and programmatic information on the use and impact of VOCA funds as requested by UOVC.
Reporting Requirements

Report Type

Reporting Period

Due Date

Method

Quarterly Progress Report

Q1 (Jul-Sep), Q2 (Oct-Dec), Q3 (Jan-Mar), Q4 (Apr-Jun)

30 days after quarter ends

UOVC GMS

Quarterly Reimbursement Request

Q1 (Jul-Sep), Q2 (Oct-Dec), Q3 (Jan-Mar), Q4 (Apr-Jun)

30 days after quarter ends

UOVC GMS

Report to Governing Board

2x per Program Year

2x per Program Year

UOVC GMS

Quarterly PMT Data  Report

October 1st-September 30th 

30 days after quarter ends

OVC Performance Measurement Platform