Community Justice seeks funding to restore victim-advocate staffing after cuts and rising caseloads
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Summary
The Community Justice Department requested the remainder of a previously proposed FY25 staffing enhancement to expand crime victim advocate services, citing growing caseload complexity, declines in VOCA funding and diminishing court fine revenue.
The Missoula County Community Justice Department asked commissioners to approve the remainder of an FY25 staffing enhancement to expand the crime victim advocate program, citing rising caseloads, increased case complexity and reduced outside funding.
Request details: The presenter said the department had originally requested three full-time equivalents to support the crime victim advocate division in FY25; the county approved approximately half of that request last year and the department now asks for the remaining portion. The presenter listed a funding figure of roughly $128,500 (presented in last year’s dollars) and asked that commissioners allow adjustment for wage growth.
Program scale and workload: The presenter said advocates serve roughly 1,600 people annually and that there are about 775–780 additional walk-ins and calls; about 25% of callers become ongoing clients. Advocates are collocated or closely connected with law-enforcement and court offices so they can meet clients where cases are processed, but the presenter said the pandemic changed how much work can be done virtually.
Funding pressures: The department said a key federal funding source (VOCA) had a 22% reduction from the previous award cycle and that court fines and fees — another historical revenue source for operations — have been declining. Those cuts, combined with inflation and increased service demand, prompted the request for additional county-funded staffing.
Why it matters: The presenter stressed advocates’ role in safety planning for victims, including planning for household members and pets, and read a client note praising the service: “Tanya was so patient and insightful to my sensitive situation and my fragile frame of mind. She educated me, sat with me, and guided me down the path to reach the end point.” Commissioners asked questions about co-location and physical space in the new sheriff’s office; staff said interview rooms remain available though fixed desk space may be limited.
Next steps: No final funding decision was recorded at the meeting; the presenter asked commissioners to consider the outstanding portion of the FY25 request and to allow an inflation adjustment if approved.