DE's Victim Service Funding in Jeopardy

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DE's Victim Service Funding in Jeopardy

Governor John Carney, Director Cerron Cade, the DE General Assembly Senate & House Leadership, the DE General Assembly Joint Finance Committee

This is a time sensitive request. Critical victim services will be cut as of April 1, 2024 if action isn't taken within the state.

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DCADV LEAP List

Wilmington, DE

To: Governor John Carney, Director Cerron Cade, the DE General Assembly Senate & House Leadership, the DE General Assembly Joint Finance Committee
From: [Your Name]

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) provides the most significant source of funding for services and support for victims of crime nationally and in Delaware. Despite efforts to stabilize the VOCA fund in the federal budget, a shortfall is expected which will have ripple effects across the state.
VOCA grants, administered within Delaware by the Criminal Justice Council (CJC), support shelters for domestic violence victims, counseling and support for rape victims, advocacy, and protection for child abuse victims and those experiencing human trafficking, homicide, elder abuse and much more. Calls for service continue to rise, and the needs of victims post pandemic remain severe and complex.
Over the past 6 years, despite demonstrated need, DE's VOCA grant award has seen a 55% cut. DE's award in FFY 18 was over $10 million and in FY 23 was less than $4.5 million. What this means is that critical services, defined as essential services during the pandemic, will be eliminated.
Efforts by our Congressional Delegation and those of the General Assembly to stabilize support for victim services have helped, but additional action is needed. The CJC estimates that DE will be short $2,000,000 for requested victim services by April 1, 2024. Of those requests, $700,000 will be cut from critical services like shelters, hotlines, and police-based crisis response.
But there is still time to avoid these cuts to services. The FFY23 grants are pending and under review by the CJC. Grants will not officially begin until April 1, 2024. These cuts can be avoided through collaborative efforts by Delaware’s Executive Branch, General Assembly and Congressional Delegates.
We are grateful for your ongoing commitment to support funding for victims of crime and first responders providing direct service. We are asking you to work to ensure that critical services are not cut on April 1st, 2024, and for you to also find ways to ensure stable funding for the future.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this issue.

Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence