UCPO Office of Victim/Witness Advocacy: "Project Direct"

Union County Prosecutor’s Office has an immediate need to enhance its ability to make an immediate initial contact and provide services to victims of crime in a timely or safe fashion. Our intent is not to replace in person interactions with Victims of crime but to expand our Office’s capabilities to be able to respond to the Victim’s immediate needs. This needs has become ever more apparent in during the COVID19 Pandemic. The following project proposal involves the implementation and deployment of software based systems designed to meet that need by facilitating remote virtual contact with victims in a safe, confidential, and welcoming environment. The facilitation and development of this platform will enable for this project to meet the current high-level needs of our community. We also anticipate that this will successfully integrate and sustain our victim services well beyond this grant. Furthermore, this virtual platform will allow of accessibility and range of services that will pioneer the options of the like within the state of New Jersey. In the aftermath of a crime; a victim, agency and police officers will benefit from clear and accessible information and services. Rather than dilute these efforts with multiple options we will begin with the 1-800 number for the inception of all contact. Within this option we will continue efforts of marketing, outreach and training of victim services. In furtherance, this 1-800 number will then lead to interactions with staff/advocates as soon as possible. If and when appropriate, the ability to have a virtual direct services shall be initiated and integrated. In short, we anticipate and hope to revise the scope of “Project Direct” to meet the current needs of the citizens of the County of Union through virtual direct services made available through a web-based platform which will be easily accessible.