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Klamath County DA and victim‑services director urge county to save one advocate amid federal VOCA funding cuts
Summary
Klamath County’s victim‑services director warned the board that federal changes to VOCA grant rules threaten funding and requested local backing to preserve one victim advocate position, citing available federal and state allocations totaling about $50,675.63 and additional carryover funds.
Klamath County officials told commissioners on Aug. 13 that a change in federal guidance for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant could sharply reduce funding for local victim‑services programs and that the county should step in to preserve at least one advocate position.
David Leslie, director of victim services (addressing the board), summarized VOCA’s purpose and said the county’s current VOCA‑funded advocates and services could be at risk after recent federal guidance requiring coverage of certain noncitizen groups. Leslie said the county has three advocates funded across two sources; the anticipated federal rule change could result in the loss of one VOCA‑funded advocate. Leslie asked the board to approve retaining one advocate position — Rosie Salazar, a Spanish‑speaking advocate — using remaining award balances and carryover funds.
Leslie provided figures he said were drawn from the county’s accounts: $38,216.13 in remaining federal VOCA funds for the July 1–Sept. 30 quarter and $12,459.50 in criminal fine (CFA) funds that are state rather than public general‑fund dollars, for a combined $50,675.63 available to draw down beginning in October. He also said the office ended the fiscal year with about $21,000 that might be available as carryover but said he had not yet confirmed carryover rules. Leslie asked the board to approve using available funds to save one victim advocate position rather than furloughing or laying off staff.
Commissioners responded with support in the meeting: one commissioner said, “I fully support this,” and another called the potential loss “unfortunate” and said county staff have reached out to state and federal lawmakers. Dan Golden, director of the juvenile department, told the board the potential loss of VOCA support would affect the county’s ability to meet statutory obligations to victims and described the coordination between the DA’s office and juvenile department as important for efficiency.
Leslie and other presenters said attorneys from the U.S. Department of Justice and state offices were reviewing or preparing legal actions; he referenced an emergency meeting of roughly 150 victim‑service organizations where some participants were told they would lose VOCA funding under the new guidance. Leslie said he had heard of potential litigation or an injunction but had no definitive timeline or outcome to report.
No formal vote on county funding for the position was recorded in the transcript; commissioners expressed support and said they would work with staff to determine details. Leslie characterized his request as an interim measure while broader legal and policy developments play out at state and federal levels.
