Lake County DA warns VOCA cuts could eliminate victim‑advocate post

At a Sept. 3 Lake County Board of Commissioners meeting, District Attorney Paul Charas told the board that federal changes to Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) eligibility tied to Oregon’s 'Sanctuary State' designation had led the federal government to pull most VOCA funds to the state, leaving Lake County with only limited remaining funding.

Charas said the remaining money "would not be enough to continue employing the Victim's Advocate," and warned that losing the position would be "detrimental and tragic" for a caseload that includes child‑abuse, sexual‑assault and rape prosecutions. He said travel reimbursement for out‑of‑state family members and witnesses is also paid from the same fund.

Commissioners discussed short‑term options: immediately laying off the victim advocate, hiring a temporary employee, or stopping formal victim services. Charis told the board that some other counties were already laying off their VOCA employees and cutting services; he also said the Oregon Department of Justice had filed suit against the federal government to try to recover the funds.

District Attorney's Office Manager Marla Slay told commissioners that Victim's Advocate Cherie Davis "wanted to stick it out" and that Davis had offered to accept layoff status and volunteer her time. Business Director Nicki Alves said laying off the Victim's Advocate would not necessarily reduce county costs because Lake County is self‑insured for unemployment claims; Alves told the board current VOCA funding should carry the position through the end of September 2025 and that department staff planned to meet with Treasurer Lasley that afternoon to review options.

The board did not take a formal vote on the issue at the meeting. Commissioners asked for further numbers and said they would follow up after the finance meeting. The county did not announce a staffing decision at the Sept. 3 session.