$6.5 million in additional funding has been
awarded to programs that assist crime victims across the state. The
federal funding will support 172 providers administering 226 programs
that provide counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy and legal
assistance, among other services. In total, victim assistance programs
are receiving $43.8 million in federal funding for 2015-16.
“This funding helps ensure that people who are the victims of a crime can receive the support and assistance they need to recover,” said Governor Cuomo. “The organizations that receive this funding provide critically important services in communities across our state, and I am proud that our administration, with the help of our Congressional delegation, is supporting their missions.”
The state Office of Victim Services administers the grant funding for the programs, which are operated by non-profit organizations, hospitals and law enforcement agencies. Victim assistance programs typically receive a modest funding increase during their three-year contracts, but as a result of congressional action, they each received 15 percent more than anticipated in funding.
Governor Cuomo announced the funding as the Office of Victim Services is hosting a three-day conference in Syracuse for professionals from victim assistance programs funded by the agency. More than 400 professionals from across the state are attending the conference, which includes presentations by survivors of crime, workshops and panel discussions with an emphasis on trauma-related services for victims, caregivers and providers. There also will be a screening of The Hunting Ground, a documentary on the problematic handling of sexual assault cases on college campuses.
“This funding helps ensure that people who are the victims of a crime can receive the support and assistance they need to recover,” said Governor Cuomo. “The organizations that receive this funding provide critically important services in communities across our state, and I am proud that our administration, with the help of our Congressional delegation, is supporting their missions.”
The state Office of Victim Services administers the grant funding for the programs, which are operated by non-profit organizations, hospitals and law enforcement agencies. Victim assistance programs typically receive a modest funding increase during their three-year contracts, but as a result of congressional action, they each received 15 percent more than anticipated in funding.
Governor Cuomo announced the funding as the Office of Victim Services is hosting a three-day conference in Syracuse for professionals from victim assistance programs funded by the agency. More than 400 professionals from across the state are attending the conference, which includes presentations by survivors of crime, workshops and panel discussions with an emphasis on trauma-related services for victims, caregivers and providers. There also will be a screening of The Hunting Ground, a documentary on the problematic handling of sexual assault cases on college campuses.
Office of Victim Services Director Elizabeth Cronin said,
“Whether it is providing temporary housing for a domestic violence
survivor or counseling for an abused child, these programs provide a
critical role in helping crime victims negotiate the road to recovery.
As a former prosecutor, I’ve seen first-hand the challenges crime
victims face and the struggle they endure on a daily basis. This funding
will further enhance the vital services they depend on as they try to
get their lives back on track.”
A complete list of the organizations and agencies that provide services to crime victims in each of the state’s 62 counties can be found here. In 2014, crime victim assistance programs funded by the Office of Victim Services served nearly 265,000 people across New York.
The funding cycle for the $43.8 million in grants aligns with the federal budget year (Oct. 1 through Sept. 30). The majority of the funding comes from the federal Victims of Crime Act and the New York Victim and Witness Assistance Grant Program's Criminal Justice Improvement Account, where all of the funding is the result of fines, fees and surcharges paid by certain offenders convicted in federal or state courts. State funds comprise the remaining 5 percent.
A complete list of the organizations and agencies that provide services to crime victims in each of the state’s 62 counties can be found here. In 2014, crime victim assistance programs funded by the Office of Victim Services served nearly 265,000 people across New York.
The funding cycle for the $43.8 million in grants aligns with the federal budget year (Oct. 1 through Sept. 30). The majority of the funding comes from the federal Victims of Crime Act and the New York Victim and Witness Assistance Grant Program's Criminal Justice Improvement Account, where all of the funding is the result of fines, fees and surcharges paid by certain offenders convicted in federal or state courts. State funds comprise the remaining 5 percent.
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said,
“While we must do all we can to prevent crimes and domestic violence
from happening in the first place, we also must do what we can to take
care of those who have been victimized. Fortunately, there are
organizations across New York that provide invaluable services to those
who have been victims of crime and violence. This $6.5 million in
federal funding will help make sure these victims have access to legal
assistance, counseling and other programs, and I will continue to fight
to ensure organizations like these have the resources they need to
continue their important work.”
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter said, “No one ever plans to be the victim of a crime. When such tragedy occurs, a helping hand can be absolutely critical to helping survivors to recover and communities to heal. As the original co-author of the Violence Against Women Act and a longtime advocate for those who have fallen victim to crime, I have seen how these services provide a vital lifeline to individuals and families. That’s why I’m so proud to support these critical programs and the lives they transform.”
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter said, “No one ever plans to be the victim of a crime. When such tragedy occurs, a helping hand can be absolutely critical to helping survivors to recover and communities to heal. As the original co-author of the Violence Against Women Act and a longtime advocate for those who have fallen victim to crime, I have seen how these services provide a vital lifeline to individuals and families. That’s why I’m so proud to support these critical programs and the lives they transform.”
The Office of Victim Services provides a
safety net for individuals and/or their family members who have been
victimized through no fault of their own and have no other means of
assistance. It is a payer of last resort: all other sources of
assistance, such as medical insurance and workers compensation, must be
exhausted before the agency can pay a victim or their family members for
any out-of-pocket losses related to the crime. Last year, the Office of
Victim Services provided more than $20 million in compensation to
assist crime victims and their families.
For more information about services offered by OVS, including eligibility guidelines and a list of crime victims assistance programs that currently receive funding, visit www.ovs.ny.gov or call 1-800-247-8035.
For more information about services offered by OVS, including eligibility guidelines and a list of crime victims assistance programs that currently receive funding, visit www.ovs.ny.gov or call 1-800-247-8035.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
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