AZ OVC State Wide Compensation Report

VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT
STATE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
2008 ARIZONA STATE WIDE COMPENSATION REPORT

CLAIMS DATA


1. NUMBER OF NEW CLAIMS RECEIVED DURING REPORTING PERIOD
a. Total claims, if only one claim is usually counted per crime:	1,647
OR
b. Total claims, if victims and indirect victims generally count as separate items:
2. NUMBER OF CLAIMS APPROVED AS ELIGIBLE	1,437
(a) Number of Victims 17 and Under	358
(b) Number approved for victims 18 - 64	1,040
(c) Number approved for victims 65 and Older	39
3. NUMBER OF CLAIMS APPROVED AS INELIGIBLE OR CLOSED	301
4. NUMBER OF FORENSIC SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION CLAIMS RECEIVED DURING THE REPORT PERIOD. IF SUCH CLAIMS ARE HANDLED THROUGH SEPARATE CLAIMS PROCEDURE. (See Instructions)

PAYMENT STATISTICS BY CRIME CATEGORY:

TYPE OF CRIME	a. NUMBER OF CLAIMS PAID DURING REPORTING PERIOD Includes Column b	b. NUMBER OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATED CLAIMS PAID DURING REPORTING PERIOD	c. TOTAL AMOUNT PAID BY CATEGORY Including all supple- mental payments
1. ASSAULT	440	97	$1,647,119
2. HOMICIDE	167	28	$922,158
3. SEXUAL ASSAULT	30	2	$79,228
4. CHILD ABUSE (Including sexual physical abuse)	105		$194,923
5. DWI/DUI	24		$113,046
6. OTHER VEHICULAR CRIMES	36		$163,038
7. STALKING	3	3	$1,617
8. ROBBERY	20		$54,826
9. TERRORISM	0		$0
10. KIDNAPPING	1		$908
11. ARSON	0		$0
12. OTHER	27	7	$98,126
TOTAL	853	137	$3,274,989

INDICATE TOTAL EXPENSES PAID BY SERVICE

1. MEDICAL/DENTAL (Except Mental Health)	$1,571,435
2. MENTAL HEALTH	$301,382
3. ECONOMIC SUPPORT (Lost Wages, Loss of Support)	$913,733
4. FUNERAL/BURIAL (Including all Funeral Related Expenses)	$487,139
5. CRIME SCENE CLEAN-UP	$1,300
6. FORENSIC SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMS	$0
7. OTHER
8. TOTAL	$3,274,989

Please respond to the following questions
additional 8x11 sheets may be attached if necessary

1. DESCRIBE THE IMPACT THAT VOCA FUNDS HAVE HAD ON YOUR PROGRAM'S ABILITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CRIME
VICTIMS.

VOCA funds enabled the State of Arizona to compensate additional crime victims for medical, mental health, wage loss, and funeral expenses that otherwise would not have been possible.  Awards in FFY08 paid with VOCA funds totaled $830,117 which equated to assistance for approximately 364 victims of crime.  These funds benefit not only the victims but also the service providers in our communities who deliver essential services to victims.  Like many other states, Arizona's economy is in the middle a downturn but still faces a growing population and corresponding number of crimes.  VOCA funds are critical to our ability to assist innocent crime victims.  In addition, as outreach efforts become more effective, greater demands are placed on the program as more victims become aware of the program and its ability to provide assistance.

2. HOW DO YOU MEASURE YOUR PROGRAM'S EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS IN REDUCING THE FINANCIAL IMPACT
OF CRIME ON VICTIMS? WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?

One of the means used to determine the efficiency of the program is the amount of time it takes to process claims.  The State of Arizona administers a decentralized Crime Victim Compensation Program within each of the 15 county attorney's offices.  At the end of each quarter, the counties submit a quarterly performance and financial report to the Commission listing the average number of weeks required for processing claims.  This data is complied by the Commission to determine a statewide average.  For FFY08, the average processing time statewide was 8 weeks.  This represents no increase from the prior federal fiscal year.  The program rules require Boards to hear claims within 60 days of submission, and we are within this requirement.  Arizona continues to seek means to streamline the processing of claims.  Effectiveness in reducing the financial impact of crime on victims is measured through the proportion of awards compared to the amount of funds available.  As we expand our outreach efforts, more crime victims are filing claims and we continue to look for additional revenue sources.

3. DID YOUR STATE USE VOCA ADMINSTRATIVE FUNDS?   Yes
   IF YOUR STATE USED VOCA ADMINSTRATIVE FUNDS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE IMPACT THESE FUNDS HAVE HAD ON YOUR
   STATE'S ABILITY TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION OR IMPROVE VICTIM SERVICES.

VOCA administrative funds are critical for Arizona's ongoing effort to improve victim services.  The VOCA administrative funds allowed the State of Arizona to pay a portion of the salary and employee related expenditures for a compensation program coordinator.  This position is particularly important to Arizona since our program is decentralized.  The compensation program coordinator provides technical assistance and ensures county programs are adhering to federal law and Arizona Administrative Code pertaining to the Compensation Program.  On-site technical assistance and program compliance reviews were conducted at all 15 county programs.  Additionally, the administrative funds allowed staff to attend the national training conference which provides a forum to meet with OVC staff, increase our knowledge of victim issues, and network with other states on victim compensation issues.

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