Call to Action: Tell Kentucky's Senators to Support the VOCA Fix Act of 2020
The federal VOCA Fix Act of 2020 would strengthen the federal Crime Victims Fund, which was established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984. Nationwide, CASA programs receive more than $56 million annually in VOCA funds.
In recent years deposits to the fund have decreased dramatically, which in turn has diminished VOCA funds made available to states; many of which are passed through to CASA/GAL organizations. The decrease is due to less federal fines and fees being collected.
The VOCA Fix Act of 2020 would add funding from deferred prosecution agreements and eliminate match requirements for VOCA state assistance grants while the nation is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The VOCA Fix Act was included in the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, which has passed the U.S. House. You can help push for further progress by contacting Kentucky senators Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell and asking them to support the VOCA Fix Act. Their contact information follows:
Sen. Rand Paul
Contact form: https://www.paul.senate.gov/connect/email-rand
Main State Office (Bowling Green): 1029 State Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101
State Office Phone: (270) 782-8303
Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 224-4343
Sen. Mitch McConnell
Contact form: https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactform
Main State Office (Lexington): 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 108, Lexington, KY 40503
State Office Phone: (859) 224-8286
Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 224-2541
Here is a template you can use as a starting point to create a personal message for the senators:
Dear (RECIPIENT’S NAME AND TITLE),
I am writing to ask for your support of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fix Act of 2020. The Crime Victims Fund (CVF) was established by the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 and is administered by the Office for Victims of Crime. The CVF is financed by the collection of federal crime fines, forfeitures and special assessments rather than taxpayer dollars. The Fund helps an average of 3.7 million victims of all types of crime every year. Court Appointed Special Advocate and Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) state organizations and local programs across the country benefit from VOCA dollars in the amount of over $56 million a year which help make possible service to nearly 272,000 child victims.
In recent years deposits to the CVF have decreased dramatically which in turn has diminished the VOCA funds made available to states; many of which are passed through to CASA/GAL organizations. The recent House passed HEROES Act includes the "VOCA Fix Act of 2020." This provision of the HEROES Act includes two important provisions. They are:
In addition to the existing funds deposited to the CVF, funds collected from deferred prosecutions agreements and non-prosecution agreements would also be deposited. This would increase receipts and funds available for VOCA State Assistance Grants.
Eliminates the match requirement for VOCA victim assistance grants now and for one year after the COVID-19 emergency period expires.
Please support the inclusion of the VOCA Fix Act of 2020 in the coronavirus relief package currently under consideration and help retain and increase VOCA funding to CASA/GAL programs across the country who serve children who have experienced abuse.
Thank you very much for your support of victims of child abuse.
Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME)