Victim advocate: VOCA cuts leave Santa Clara–Ivins program short of requested funding

Tanya Womble, the victim advocate assigned to the Santa Clara–Ivins police department, reported to the council that nationwide reductions in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding left her program with less than the amount requested in the current grant cycle.

“Back in January, we did receive notification that there were significant nationwide cuts to the overall VOCA funding,” Womble said, describing the grant process and the department’s application. She said the department requested about $67,000 for the two-year cycle (including roughly 75% of her salary and funds for outreach materials and a trauma-informed soft interview room). “Even though funding was cut, we were awarded ultimately about $46,500, which only covers a portion of my requested salary,” she said.

Womble walked through service volumes and casework she has handled: from January through the last reporting period she said she had assisted “approximately 245 adults” and “approximately 154 kids,” processed 96 child-abuse and neglect reports (67 of which were opened for investigation), and provided resources and case support for victims navigating police and court processes.

Womble told the council the statewide tracking-database expense was covered for year two by the state but not reimbursed for year one; other items such as materials and construction of a soft interview room remain unfunded. She asked for continued city support to sustain victim services amid the funding shortfall.

Council members and the mayor praised the program’s work and asked clarifying questions about numbers and collaboration with county advocates. No formal council action was taken; city support was discussed as an ongoing budgetary and program priority.