Law Enforcement Based Victims Specialist Program

This grant award made to the Vermont Department of Public Safety, is funded under OVC FY 2020 Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program Purpose Area 2: Mid-Sized Agency which is designed to develop or enhance and sustain crime victim specialist programs within law enforcement agencies and better coordinate services to victims to more quickly and more effectively serve the victim assistance and compensation needs of all crime victims and inform them of their rights as crime victims. This grantee will employ a Victim Services Specialist to augment the existing Victim Services Director's work in the field with victims of crime. The Victim Services Specialist will work within the Criminal Division in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The Victim Services Specialist will work in all areas served by the Vermont State Police when there is an identified victim in need., prioritizing victims underserved in rural areas and in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and Designated Qualified Opportunity Zones. The Victim Services Specialist will provide crisis services; stabilization and support to victims and survivors directly after a crime has been reported to law enforcement; provide service and support to victims and survivors during a law enforcement investigation; and provide resource referral, follow-up and transitional
services to victims and survivors if their case enters the court system. (CA/NCF)