U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

VOCA Administrators

OVC Center for VOCA Administrators Launch: Remarks From OVC Director Kristina Rose

September 2021
In this video, OVC Director Kristina Rose announces the launch of the OVC Center for VOCA Administrators. The Center provides technical support to strengthen the capacity of VOCA Administrators to administer VOCA formula victim assistance and victim compensation funds—the cornerstone of support for victims throughout the Nation. Visit the OVC Center for VOCA Administrators website. VOCA Administrators can request training and technical assistance by contacting their State Victim Resource Division Grant Manager.

Documenting Salaries, Wages, and Fringe Benefits for Grant Funded Personnel

July 7, 2021

In response to inquiries from the field on how to document salaries, wages, and fringe benefits for grant funded personnel, OVC posted the following resource: Time and Effort Best Practices for VOCA-Funded Personnel.

The allocation or distribution of costs should be an after-the-fact accounting not based on estimates. Payroll records must reflect actual time spent on the activity or activities. Additionally...

Application Mechanics: VOCA Formula Application Submission in JustGrants Webinar Now Online

June 16, 2021

OVC recently posted the materials from a webinar to help OVC FY 2021 VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant and OVC FY 2021 VOCA Victim Compensation Formula Grant applicants understand the new two-phase application process. The webinar was hosted by OJP’s JustGrants experts.

OVC strongly encourages applicants review the materials in advance of submitting their formula grant applications:

FY 2021 VOCA Assistance and Compensation Solicitations and Allocation Charts

June 1, 2021

The Office of Justice Programs has released the FY 2021 VOCA Victim Assistance and Victim Compensation allocation charts:

OVC Formula Chart: 2021 Crime Victims Fund Allocation – Assistance

OVC Formula Chart: 2021 Crime Victims Fund Allocation – Compensation

Refer to these allocation charts when applying for the FY 2021 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Assistance and Compensation formula solicitations. Applications for both solicitations are due by Monday...

Charging and Certification of Sexual Assault Forensic Exams to Compensation Programs

February 19, 2021

A Copy of an Email Sent by Kathrina S. Peterson, OVC Deputy Director, on January 25, 2021

Good Afternoon Everyone,

We are providing the attached memorandum to provide clarification on the charging and certification of sexual assault forensic exams to the Crime Victims Fund Compensation Program. The Office of the Inspector General recommended that we provide clarification on this issue, particularly regarding...

Compensation and Crowdfunding/Check-ins with Grant Managers

February 17, 2021

A Copy of an Email Sent by Kathrina S. Peterson, OVC Deputy Director, on February 11, 2021

Good Evening Everyone,

The purpose of this email is to provide information about compensation and crowdfunding, and also offer an opportunity to all of you to have more “regular” check-ins with your grant managers.

Crowdfunding and Compensation: Some states have requested information about crowdfunding and...

Director Hart Discusses Opportunities to Support States at Administrators Conference

On Monday, August 31, 2020, Office for Victims of Crime Director Jessica E. Hart spoke at the 2020 Victims of Crime Act Administrators National Training Conference. This annual event hosts state Victims of Crime Act Administrators who manage formula victim compensation and assistance grant programs—the cornerstone of support for victims throughout the Nation.

Director Hart spoke about the importance of developing productive relationships with Administrators and...

FY 2020 VOCA Victim Compensation and Victim Assistance Formula Application Attachments and More

April 29, 2020

A Copy of an Email Sent by Kathrina S. Peterson, OVC Deputy Director, on April 20, 2020

Good Afternoon VOCA Administrators,

This email contains information about the Compensation and Assistance applications and related required attachments; the FY 2020 Training and Technical Assistance Solicitation for Administrators and Subrecipients; and the recently launched DOJ National Elder Fraud hotline.

Compensation and Assistance Applications: As you...

Funding Opportunity: OVC FY 2020 Targeted Training and Technical Assistance for VOCA Victim Assistance and Compensation Administrators

Apply for the OVC FY 2020 Targeted Training and Technical Assistance for VOCA Victim Assistance and Compensation Administrators solicitation. The goal of this project is to provide peer-to-peer training and support on federal grants management and administration for Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance and Compensation Administrators and VOCA victim assistance subgrantees.

OVC Support to States

State Support Map

Select a state or territory on the map below to learn more about that state's efforts working with OVC.

March 2020 Updates to Match Waiver Approval Process


A Copy of an Email Sent by Kathrina S. Peterson, OVC Deputy Director, on March 31, 2020

Good Afternoon Everyone,

OVC is issuing the attached "March 2020 Updates to OVC Match Waiver Approval Process" in response to VOCA Victim Assistance Administrators comments and feedback. There are three distinct updates from the original July 2019 "OVC Match Waiver Approval Process."

First, in Section II(A)(2)...

Clarification of Allowable Costs for Victim Assistance Programs


OVC anticipates that it will upload the final VOCA formula victim assistance rule during the first week of July. It will become effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. In the interim, OVC is sending this communication to VOCA Administrators to again clarify what is allowable under the current guidelines for transitional housing and legal assistance.

Regarding legal assistance, victim assistance programs can...

The Use of VOCA Victim Assistance Program Funds for APS Intake Workers


In all states, some form of adult protective services (APS) exists to receive reports of elder abuse. Some states utilize a statewide hotline for receiving reports of elder abuse (intake), while other states maintain a system of local level intake. Intake is conducted, among other things, to determine whether victim services should be the only referral or whether a more system-delivered response is indicated (i.e...