Grant Details

The primary purpose of Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) victim assistance grants is to support programming in non-profit agencies that provide direct services to victims of crimes throughout Wisconsin. Direct services are defined as efforts that:

• Respond to the emotional, psychological, or physical needs of crime victims;
• Assist victims to stabilize their lives after a victimization;
• Assist victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice system; or
• Restore a measure of safety and security for the victim.

Eligible services and activities are:

• Immediate Health and Safety - Services that respond to immediate needs of crime victims;
• Personal Advocacy - Allows for personal advocacy and emotional support;
• Health Care Assistance - Costs of the following, on an emergency basis, non-prescription and prescription medicine, prophylactic or other treatment to prevent HIV/AIDS infection or other infectious disease, durable medical equipment (such as wheel-chairs, crutches, hearing aids, eyeglasses), and other healthcare items;
• Forensic Examinations - For sexual assault victims, forensic medical exams are allowable only to the extent that other funding sources (such as state compensation, private insurance or public benefits) are unavailable or insufficient;
• Forensic Interviews;
• Mental Health Assistance - Assisting victims in understanding the dynamics of victimization and in stabilizing their lives after victimization;
• Assistance with Participation in Public Proceedings Arising from the Crime - The provision of services and payment of costs that help victims participate in the criminal justice system and in other public proceedings arising from the crime;
• Cross-System Coordination - Activities that support a coordinated and comprehensive response to crime victims needs by direct service providers; and
• Non-Emergency Legal Services - Legal assistance services where reasonable and where the need for such services arises as a direct result of the victimization.