On behalf of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors, I write in strong support of your legislation, AB 1956, which will prioritize the continuity and stability of crime victim services if federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant funding falls by 10% or more from the prior year.
VOCA supports thousands of victim service providers serving millions of victims annually and is facing a $700 million, or 40%, cut in federal fiscal year 2024. The losses from the proposed cut will tremendously compromise victim services and put victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse and other violent crimes at risk throughout California.
Funding cuts of this magnitude will result in a significant reduction in housing services including emergency shelter, transitional housing, and housing first. Additionally, many victims suffer from both short and long-term mental outcomes like post-traumatic stress disorder that can be mitigated through appropriate counseling and/or support groups. This funding is essential in preventing any reduction in services which would be detrimental to a population that already finds itself in a precarious situation. It is critical to supplement funding so that direct services can continue and staffing levels for these agencies can be maintained to provide adequate access to counseling, housing, and other vital services.
We look to this administration and legislature for the crucial support to continue funding these programs statewide so that victims of crime never feel abandoned, destitute, or deserted. These individuals deserve continued access to all the services available to them through the myriad of agencies that exist for the sole purpose of their provision.
For the reasons stated above, we offer our strong support for AB 1956.
Sincerely,
Larry Micari, Chair
Tulare County Board of Supervisors
Cc: Tulare County State Delegation, Shaw Yoder Antwih Schmelzer & Lange, Patrick Burks