County officials flag VOCA cuts that could trim two victim‑advocate posts
Summary
Staff told commissioners the VOCA victim‑services grant has been reduced in the draft from $85,000 to $27,000; county prosecutors warned losing VOCA advocates would hamper victim notice requirements and might force general‑revenue coverage or service reductions.
During the budget review Staff member (S2) and agency presenter (S4) said they had already reduced expected VOCA revenue in the draft: "We reduced, that revenue line from 85,000 to 27,000 already."
S4, who described the Office of Prosecution Services' role in distributing VOCA, warned that further reductions could affect two VOCA‑funded advocate positions. He said the office will seek more information from the state and will be "in DC begging and pleading with the congressional delegation from Missouri to do whatever they can to divert more money into VOCA funding." Commissioners discussed how reductions would shift costs to general revenue and risk service gaps. S4 cautioned that losing victim advocates could make it difficult to meet notice requirements under the Missouri Constitution's victims' bill of rights.
Staff and commissioners acknowledged uncertainty about the final state and federal allocations and tasked S4 with following up with the Office of Prosecution Services and reporting back before final budget adoption.
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