Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Human Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Victim advocate authorized to apply for VOCA funds after reporting 508 people served under current grant cycle
Summary
The county’s victim advocate told commissioners she has worked with 508 clients so far under the current VOCA grant period and the board authorized applying for the two-year VOCA grant (up to $250,000) that requires a 20% local match.
The Lincoln County victim advocate asked commissioners on Jan. 7 for permission to apply for Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding administered by the Montana Department of Justice. The two-year grant cycle reimburses program expenses and typically requires a 20% local match.
The advocate described the program’s workload and recordkeeping: she told the board that the current grant period (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2026) shows 508 people assisted in cases recorded through the county attorney’s office; that number excludes some city-court matters and cases that did not enter district or justice court. She explained VOCA is reimbursable (expenses are submitted and then paid out) and that allowable costs include salary, fringe, transportation and supplies.
Commissioners moved and approved authorization to apply for VOCA funding. The advocate said she will prepare a budget and rely partly on volunteered hours and in-kind office expenses to meet the 20% match. Commissioners suggested offering letters of support and noted that if victim services were not available the duties would revert to law enforcement, which has more limited capacity to provide court and victim support.
The board asked staff to provide support as needed; the authorizations do not commit the county to award acceptance until the grant is formally approved and reimbursement elements are finalized.
