Board outlines limited changes to Trauma Recovery Center NOFA amid steep funding uncertainty

Executive Officer Linda Gledhill told the California Victim Compensation Board that staff plan "a handful of minor changes" to the Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) notice of funds available for the coming grant year because of limited funds.

Gledhill said staff plan to "move the time frame to start in mid October and end in mid December, thus avoiding having the work being done over the holiday season" and that they will clarify "how organizations can receive the highest number of points for each component of the application" and emphasize that the scoring team "can only consider information submitted on the application." She also said the agency is considering adjusting the submission timeframe for TRCs and mentioned a figure in the staff presentation that applicants would have 45 days to submit rather than 60 days.

Gledhill warned that the agency's funding projection could be as little as $5,000,000 to distribute in 2026, and she said major policy changes would be difficult to implement without stable funding. "If stable funding were available, then I think we could have that discussion and get board's direction on different ways to approach for some of the goals that were expressed during that hearing," she said.

Board members urged staff to continue the policy conversation even if immediate funding is uncertain. Member comments included requests for a clear definition of "existing TRC" and technical assistance to applicants; several board members said some requested reforms do not require additional money and should still be explored.

What happened next: Staff committed to an open conversation with the board and to proceed with the limited NOFA changes for the upcoming cycle. No vote on TRC policy changes occurred at the Sept. 18 meeting.

Provenance: Draws on the executive-officer report (transcript start 00:22:17) and subsequent board discussion (00:36:01 onward).