From
Fred Bates, Jr.
Title
Resolution supporting the two-year continuation of the Police Department's Victim Assistance Program grant from the Texas Criminal Justice Division of the Governor's Office in the amount of $339,220
Presenter
Ronnie Morris, Assistant Police Chief - Investigative Services Bureau
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The Police Department is interested in applying to the Criminal Justice Division (CJD) of the Governor’s Office for a two-year continuation grant for the Victim Assistance Program, which consists of two full-time Crime Victim Services Coordinators.
The Crime Victim Services Coordinators continue to plan, coordinate, and administer the Victim Assistance Program by recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers and interns; providing personal advocacy for crime victims and their families; planning, implementing, and monitoring new programs pertaining to victim outreach; court accompaniment and interfacing with law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, and others on behalf of victims; assisting victims in securing Crime Victims Compensation benefits; providing community education programs; and participating as a member of the Coalition of Crime Victim Services, Law Enforcement Victim Assistance, and Grand Prairie Human Services Coalition.
In 2017, the Victims Assistance Unit provided services in the following categories; Crisis Counseling (81), Information / Referrals (2,043), Justice Support Advocacy (788), Emergency Legal Assistance (907), Assistance in Filing Compensation Claims (1,720), and Personal Advocacy (1,099). The 2018 year-to-date statistics are on track to be more numerous than the previous year. Currently, these categories are; Crisis Counseling (57), Information / Referrals (1,710), Justice Support Advocacy (624), Emergency Legal Assistance (870), Assistance in Filing Compensation Claims (1,225), and Personal Advocacy (1,067).
The Grand Prairie Police Department’s Victims Assistance Unit provides ...
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