Complete narrative questions in the Victims Services Data Collection System (VSDCS) for each quarterly reporting period based on activities and services provided to enhance services to crime victims.
If there have been no relevant activities in a section, please state this plainly (e.g., "No direct services related to this topic occurred during this reporting period"). The N/A designation should not be used as a narrative category description.
When submitting data and narrative in VSDCS and reporting to DCJS, ensure that personally identifiable information (PII) is fully safeguarded to avoid unwarranted exposure of a victim's identity. PII is defined as information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, either alone or when combined with other personal or identifying information that is linked or linkable to a specific individual. Use non-identifiable labels, for example, "Client A" or "Survivor 2", to avoid the use of actual names or revealing details.
Assistance to Campus Sexual Assault Victims
Report how § 23.1-806 (“Reporting of Acts of Sexual Violence”) impacted the overall workload of your program. If your services involved responding to or supporting campus sexual assault victims, describe the types of services provided, the amount of time* spent providing services, the impact of the services provided, and the response of the institution and collaboration efforts.
Campus may refer to locations that students frequently use and that support institutional educational purposes. For example, preschool, primary, secondary, post-secondary colleges or universities, and or educational settings on religiously affiliated entities (e.g., seminary, religious-affiliated college).
*The amount of time is a required field in VSDCS when Adult Campus Sexual Assault or Child Campus Sexual Assault Charged Offense is selected.
Case Studies
Describe two noteworthy cases, or cases requiring a large amount of staff time; letters from crime victims may be included. Case studies should focus on the services provided to the victim(s). Discuss services provided in cases (i.e., child abuse, domestic assault, sexual assault, and underserved) in which VOCA funds were used to assist crime victims during the reporting period. Additional materials may be submitted as an upload to the OGMS (Online Grants Management System).
Ensure all client identifiers are anonymized.
Coordinated Efforts
Describe any coordinated responses/services for assisting crime victims during the reporting period. Discuss any attempts to promote coordinated public and private activities within the community to aid victims: for example, task forces, SART teams, and multidisciplinary teams. Please describe ways that your agency promoted the coordination of public and private efforts within the community to help crime victims during the reporting period.
DCJS Assistance Needs
Outline specific assistance your program requests from DCJS, such as training, consultations, technical assistance, or other resources needed. If an urgent need arises, contact your assigned Grant Monitor.
Organizational Capacity Issues
Report the number of requests for services that were unmet because of organizational capacity issues. Explain how the program staff addressed the requests. This may include why it could not be fulfilled or mitigation efforts by your program staff, and an explanation of how your program is able to respond to gaps in services during the reporting period.
Plans for Next Quarter
Describe your program's upcoming goals or activities to accomplish in the next reporting period. Activities may include the first meeting of a multi-disciplinary team, Victims’ Rights week activities or outreach, implementing new protocols for service delivery, etc.
Program Accomplishments & Changes
Report any projects, tasks, or initiatives which show the program’s success or improvements to service crime victims: e.g., new court procedures enacted, the adoption of new policies, increased media attention (attach copies of newspaper articles), etc. Describe any materials that were created for the program: e.g., brochures, forms, cooperative agreements, etc. Accomplishments and changes may include, narrative of some of the challenges your victim assistance program faced during the reporting period, staffing retention issues that your victim assistance program has, and why these issues may occur during the reporting period. Examples may include: high turnover due to insufficient salary, insufficient benefits, and heavy workload, and an explanation of anything that may benefit or impede service delivery to victims in your locality (e.g., new resources, personnel, policy/procedures changes or implementation, or updated/new equipment).
Trends
Identify and describe emerging issues or trends affecting crime victims' services in your locality: for example, new protective order laws increase the number of victims the program must serve, legislation or regulatory changes, and or population declines or growth that may impact service delivery.
Victim Compensation
Report achievements or challenges in assisting clients in applying for compensation benefits, obtaining awards from the Virginia Victims Fund (formerly Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund). Services may include, but are not limited to, identifying crime victims and advising them of the availability of such benefits, assisting potential recipients with application forms and procedures, assisting with obtaining necessary documentation for a compensation claim, monitoring claim status, and intervening on behalf of crime victims with the Virginia Victims Fund.
Attachments to any section of the narrative should be uploaded to OGMS as an attachment with your approved VSDCS-generated quarterly progress report. Attachments may include a new brochure, a newspaper article, and or a Victim letter (with identifying information redacted).