Utah County attorney's office reports VOCA grant compliance, served 903 victims in quarter

Jamie Barzee of the Utah County Attorney's Office presented the county's Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) grant report to the Utah County Commission, saying the office recently renewed a two-year contract running July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2021.

Barzee, who said she serves on the county's victim-witness team, told commissioners the office met or exceeded grant goals for the July–September quarter and is in compliance with grant requirements. "I'm happy to report that we are in compliance with all grant requirements and that in the first quarter of this year… we met or exceeded our grant goals," Barzee said.

She provided program metrics: 903 individuals received services during the quarter, of whom 709 were new clients; staff sent 448 victim information packets by mail; they received 848 inbound calls, emails or texts and made 1,689 outgoing contacts; and staff accompanied victims to court on 82 occasions. Barzee said the team completed the required quarterly reports, including subgrantee and financial status reports, and filed them by the October 30 deadline.

Barzee described the caseload and types of crime the office assists with—aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, child abuse, domestic violence, identity theft, kidnapping and violations of protective orders—and said the three-person victim services team supports 40 county criminal attorneys. "Suffice it to say that Chris, Katie, and I have been incredibly busy and are struggling to keep up with the demands that are required of us," she said.

The presentation served as an informational compliance update; commissioners asked no follow-up questions during the session. The county's VOCA-funded victim-witness services remain active while staff continue to manage a high workload.

The commission did not take formal action on the VOCA report during the meeting; the presentation was recorded and will be part of the agency's semiannual reporting to the commission.