VictimConnect Resource Center

The National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) is seeking funding to maintain, expand, and enhance its national helpline, VictimConnect Resource Center (VCRC). Specifically, the program seeks to (1) ensure quality direct services, (2) implement a continuous improvement review (CIR) process that utilizes collected information to inform management decision making, (3) design and execute enhancements to training tools, online resources, and resources developed based on identified needs, and (4) develop impactful partnerships and engage in awareness efforts to improve accessibility and quality of services.
 

VCRC is seeking to fund the required technology, program staff, supervisors, and managers to provide quality professional and volunteer support to visitors through phone, chat, and text, and use the knowledge gained from daily interactions and supervision to conduct six CIRs. CIRs will identify the enhancements, including three technology enhancements focused on process improvement, three online training tools, and three online resources. Program staff will develop and implement those enhancements. In addition, CIRs will help identify and inform strategy on curating over 1,800 new resources for the online resource map over the three-year grant period. Beyond CIRs, VCRC will also focus on improving accessibility and awareness by connecting with 50 partners and promoting the helpline as a resource in six webinars targeted at victim service and law enforcement professionals.
 

VCRC provides the same level of services to all crime victims, regardless of when the crime occurred. Direct service providers who support all crime victims are essential to ensure that every crime victim has access to resources available in their community, information and safety planning services, and emotional support and advocacy through recovery. This is especially critical when individuals have reduced service options, such as individuals in rural communities, underfunded communities, and tribal communities, as well as individuals who are not able to safely access services, are fearful of accessing services, or who have disabilities that reduce their ability to access services.

With the achievement of the identified goals, VCRC expects the following long-term outcomes: (1) All victims of crime are aware of and receive quality direct services; (2) Underserved and hard-to-reach populations will have access to a meaningful resource that is trained and ready to support their individualized needs; and (3) All victims of crime will have service delivery options that allow them to feel safe and secure (phone, chat, text, online resources).