Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Victim Services Grant topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners authorize VOCA grant application to fund county victim advocate services
Summary
The board approved moving forward with an application to the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) program, which reimburses eligible expenses and can provide up to $250,000 over a two-year cycle; the county's victim advocate said the program served 508 clients in the current grant cycle and that a 20% local match is required.
Lincoln County commissioners on Jan. 7 authorized the county's victim advocate to apply for a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant administered by the Montana Department of Justice.
The advocate told the board the program operates on a two-year reimbursement cycle and can award up to $250,000. The advocate said the current grant cycle (July 1, 2024'June 30, 2026) has supported services for 508 people, counting cases that pass through district and justice courts; city-court-only matters were not included in that figure.
The grant requires a 20% local match. The advocate said the county can provide match through in-kind items such as office space, volunteer hours and other documented costs; commissioners discussed using volunteer hours and local support events as part of the match.
Commissioners voted to move forward with the application and offered to provide letters of support if requested. The board emphasized the program's role in relieving law enforcement of victim-service duties and the importance of continuing the office's services in court and community coordination.
Next steps: the advocate will submit the application and coordinate any requested support letters with county staff.
