Please take a few minutes to contact your Senators now and ask for their support of the VOCA Fix Act of 2020.
The Crime Victims Fund (CVF) was established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984 and is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime. The Fund is financed by the collection of federal crime fines, forfeitures and special assessments rather than taxpayer dollars. The Fund helps an average of 3.7 million victims of all types of crime every year.
The Fund specifically helps support CASA of the River Region and other CASAs around the country. CASA programs receive over $56 million annually in VOCA funding to support advocacy for children who are abused and neglected. In recent years deposits to the CVF have decreased dramatically which in turn has diminished VOCA funds made available to states; many of which are passed through to CASA/GAL organizations. The dollars deposited to the CVF have decreased due to less federal fines and fees that fund the CVF and VOCA.
The recent House passed Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act includes the “Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fix Act of 2020.” This provision of the HEROES Act includes two important provisions. They are:
In addition to the existing funds deposited to the Crime Victims’ Fund, funds collected from deferred prosecution agreements and non-prosecution agreements would also be deposited. This would increase receipts and funds available for VOCA State Assistance Grants.
Eliminates the match requirement for VOCA state assistance grants now and for one year after the COVID-19 emergency period expires.
Both of these provisions would greatly benefit the over 500 CASA and GAL state organizations and local programs receiving VOCA funding nationwide and ultimately the children we serve. Please take a few minutes to contact your Senators now and ask for their support of the VOCA Fix Act of 2020. Thank you for your advocacy for CASA and ensuring we have the resources we need to protect children and their futures!
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