As part of Maryland's procurement process, the Office of Victim Services required all providers requesting VOCA funding to indicate such linkages in their proposals, submitted in response to the VOCA Request for Proposals. Through the State Board of Victim Services, the Office of Victim Services staff continued discussions with representatives from the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maryland to assess and address the needs of victims of federal crimes. Also, through its interactions with service providers throughout the State, the Office of Victim Services continued to promote the need for services to victims of federal crimes. The Department of Human Resources, Community Services Administration, Office of Victim Services collected monthly activity reports from all service providers funded under the Victims of Crime Assistance program. These reports outlined the number of clients served and the types of services provided and were signed by an authorized individual from each program.
Monthly reports certify performance of all activities outlined by the provider.
Additionally, the Office of Victim Services collected demographic information on clients served, to ensure the provision of services to underserved populations. In order to assess and improve the delivery of victim services, all funded programs receive a site visit from an Office of Victim Services Program Specialist. During site visits, programs are subject to a review of all activities under VOCA funding. The review includes an assessment of program effectiveness pertaining to service provision and meeting the needs of victims. The site visit is followed by a report outlining the findings of the reviewer and recommendations, if any, for corrective action.