FCS seeks to use technology in new ways to disrupt the conventional service delivery system and wrap tech around victims of crime.

The Office for Victims of Crime is committed to enhancing the nation’s capacity to assist crime victims and provide leadership in changing attitudes, policies, and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime. Through the Vision 21: Advancing the Use of Technology to Assist Victims of Crime solicitation, OVC seeks to support organizations which demonstrate innovative strategies to create, expand, or enhance the use of technology initiatives on a national or nationally replicable scale to improve response, services, and access for victims of crime. OVC will support projects across a variety of technology platforms that could include, but are not limited to: 1) the development of new national app(s) or creation of another technology platform designed to serve victims of crime, including updating and maintenance for the length of the award; 2) the development of regionally focused app(s) or creation of another technology platform designed to serve victims of crime; or 3) the expansion or enhancement of existing services and/or hotlines on digital, online, or text platforms or an app that uses technology to provide services, referrals, tools, and information to victims of crime.

With this award, the Family and Children’s Services (FCS) will use its regionally integrated Family Violence Program case management and behavioral health team to demonstrate how existing technology can be used in new ways to advance service delivery for victims of crime. The project will use smart phone capability and pre-selected safety apps, telehealth interfaces, and dynamic electronic health record systems to leverage partnerships to provide victims of crime, first responders, and service providers with immediate virtual access to services from case managers, social workers, and other behavioral health specialists. The demonstration will cover Central Maryland’s urban and rural communities including Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties.

CA/NCF