CalVCB previews advocate-portal fixes, new resources and plans for future features

Jennifer Rocco, Deputy Executive Officer who oversees the Victim Compensation Division at the California Victim Compensation Board, on the advocate-portal webinar said the board is "committed to continuing" improvements after advocates reported challenges with the transition from CARES access to the portal.

The session explained how advocates can search for applications, manage users, view new letter templates and training videos, and submit questions via the portal feedback button. Rocco said staff will prioritize enhancements identified in the session and hold additional webinars to demonstrate changes.

The webinar emphasized three search methods in the portal: by applicant (first and last name plus DOB and either username or email), by application ID or temporary ID (for in-progress applications), and by office or advocate (including an unassigned-applications option). CalVCB staff demonstrated that an application in-process shows a temporary ID until it is fully submitted and an application ID is generated seconds later. Rachel, a CalVCB staff member, described the search as "tight" for victim security and explained that results show claimant name, date of crime, type of crime, advocate assignment, representative and account username and email.

Staff demonstrated the user-administration…