Jeanne Pitzer, Richland County Prosecutor’s Victim Assistance Director went before the county commissioners Tuesday seeking their approval of a grant proposal. Monies from the grant will go directly towards the victim services fund in Richland County.
The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), 1984, was designed by President Reagan’s administration to offer support to those who suffer from acts of crime. Every year prosecutor’s offices, non-profit organizations and social service departments apply for a federal and state grant that will provide for these services. Amounts allocated to each organization vary, but the combined federal and state amount asked for by the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office was $79,279.
The federal and state grants are contingent upon the county matching a minimum 25 percent of the 75 percent granted. For example, this year’s application for a federal grant amounted to $71,865, with an additional inquiry of $7,414 from the state. However, these amounts will only be granted if the county can match at least 25 percent of that combined amount. Therefore, Pitzer asked for the same amount granted by the county last year, $30,101. The combined total funds, from federal, state and county, will be $109,380.
Two years ago, the Prosecutor’s Office was granted $76,475, with $23,955 matched by the county. As of 2012, however, the amount allocated was cut by $4,610. To compensate for the loss, the county commissioners agreed to match $30,101, which is a 33 percent match, instead of the minimum 25 percent. The extra eight percent will go into paying for minimal staffing and help cover costs of services to more victims.
The $30,101 does not come from taxpayer dollars. Instead, it comes from seized/forfeited assets that are collected by the county when charges are made. Money also comes from a fund set aside by the county commissioners for bail bonds.
The funds will be used for various victim services provided by the county. Victims of crime may be eligible to receive a number of services from victim advocates from the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office that range from compensation of funeral and burial expenses, to providing counseling.
Applications must be filled out when service or compensation is desired, but there is no application fee. The list of services provided is generated by the federal government and is “exhaustive.” The average number of victims helped in Richland County per year is 7,500.
“This is about the people,” said Pitzer. On any given week, Pitzer could be taking care of multiple families or individuals at once. “If [the help desired] is victim related, I do it,” she added.
Victims in search of assistance should ask for a victim advocate by calling 419-774-5676.
