The Crime Victims Assistance Grant Program is a result of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on October 12, 1984. The Act created the Crime Victims Fund which is financed through fines and assesments on criminals at the federal level. No tax dollars go into the Fund.

VOCA Assistance Grants are dispersed through the Office for Victims of Crime, U.S. Department of Justice and are awarded to each state and several territories based on a specific formula. States are then responsible for subgranting the money to approved applicants in order to help finance their crime victim service programs. Applicants may include non-profit agencies, state and local government agencies, and Native American tribes.

In Oklahoma, a nine-member Victims of Crime Act Board makes the funding decisions. Click here for a list of the current board members. VOCA funds are awarded yearly on a competitive basis. Pursuant to the Victims of Crime Act, the VOCA Board must give priority to applicants serving victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and unserved/underserved victims. Federal regulations require that each of these service areas receive a minimum of 10% of the total grant funds.

In order for applicants to be eligible, the applicant must be a non-profit agency with 501(c)(3) status, a local government, a state government, or a Native American Tribe. In addition, the applicant must certify funds will only be used for direct victim services; and, provide a 20% cash or in-kind match. Native American Tribes have a 5% match requirement. Click here for a detailed description of the eligibility requirements and allowable costs under the VOCA grant.

VOCA GRANT TIME LINE (exact dates vary from year to year)

January: Application notices are mailed to past and current subgrantees, District Attorneys Offices, Police Deparments, Sheriffs Offices, Native American Tribes, and any other agencies that have requested to be placed on the mailing list.

March: Completed applications are due at the Distirct Attorneys Council.

May: The VOCA Board meets for two days. The first day is for applicants to be present to answer questions. The second day is when the Board makes the actual funding decisions.

June (early): VOCA Board meets for the Appeals Meeting.

June (late): Financial Training is held at DAC. This training is mandatory for first time subgrantees and is offered as a refresher course for existing subgrantees.

July 1st: VOCA Grant Cycle begins.

July 15th, Aug.15th, etc.: Draw Down requests (Form A-3) due the 15th of each month.

Sept. 30th: Performance Report (Form A-10) due for previous grant. This report is due within 90 days of the end of the grant period.

June 30th: VOCA Grant Cycle ends.

In May 2005, the VOCA Board awarded $4,437,612.86 to 95 subgrantees. Click here for a list of the subgrantees and their award amounts.

VOCA SUBRECIPIENTS CLICK HERE FOR FORMS and FINANCIAL GUIDE.

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