Nearly 3,300 of those organizations receive some VOCA funds. All States and most Territories receive an annual VOCA victim assistance grant. Additional funds are distributed based on population. States competitively award VOCA funds to local community-based organizations that provide services directly to victims of crime. Each State has discretion to determine which organizations will receive funding based upon the VOCA victim assistance guidelines and the needs of crime victims within the State.
Most States make awards on a competitive basis.
VOCA assistance funds may be used only for direct services to crime victims. Services such as offender rehabilitation, criminal justice improvements, and crime prevention activities cannot be supported with VOCA assistance funds. Each year, OVC develops a Program Plan which identifies the training and technical assistance and demonstration initiatives to be funded on a competitive basis in the coming year. At least half of all discretionary grant funds are dedicated to improving the response to Federal crime victims. Developing materials that help Federal victims understand their rights and available services.