Mass Violence Lessons Learned and AEAP Boston VOCA Conference August 20, 2014

Introductions Content Discuss OVC’s Antiterrorism Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP), which supports victims of domestic mass violence and terrorism How to apply for AEAP funds, what expenses are typically eligible for AEAP, and some grant monitoring issues Lessons learned from past incidents, including what type of assistance is available to help you through the process, how to deal with private funds, and related issues Today’s Presentation

Authorized by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984, as amended, Title 42 U.S.C. §§ VOCA formally established the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) within the Office of Justice Programs in 1988 to administer the Crime Victims Fund (CVF). The Antiterrorism Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP), which specifically supports victims of mass violence and terrorism, is funded by the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve, an annual set aside of up to $50 million under the CVF. Since 2004, OVC has awarded more than $32 million under AEAP for victim support in mass violence incidents Crime Victims Fund and AEAP

AEAP is designed to help jurisdictions that have been overwhelmed after a mass violence incident. “Overwhelmed” can mean different things in different locations. Assistance available under AEAP: Crisis Response (up to 9 months) Consequence Management (up to 18 months) Criminal Justice Support (up to 36 months) Crime Victim Compensation (available any time) to reimburse victims for out-of-pocket expenses Training and Technical Assistance – to identify resources, assess needs, coordinate services to victims, and develop strategies for responding to an event AEAP

Counseling Compensation for medical & mental health costs, lost wages, and funeral expenses Emergency food, clothing, transportation, and travel Temporary housing Repatriation of remains Cleaning and return of personal effects Child/dependent care Samples of AEAP Supported Expenses Physical and vocational rehabilitation Employer and creditor intervention Some victim-related ME & law enforcement costs Needs assessment and planning Support for victim participation in criminal justice proceedings Victim outreach and notification systems

AEAP Grant Process – How it Works OVC contacts VOCA officials after an incident Coordinate with FBI OVA and other agencies. OVA can: Provide immediate victim assistance, collect ante- mortem data, death notifications, help establish FAC, assist with incident briefings for families, etc. Determine resources deployed and services that are being coordinated. Support short-term victim-related expenses such as emergency transportation or temp lodging

AEAP Grant Process – How it Works OVC determines appropriate AEAP applicant We provide materials including the AEAP Solicitation and samples of past applications Collaborative process and prospective grantee will identify victim-related expenses Letter of Request to OVC Continued collaboration to refine application Ensure coordinated response; for example, BJA, DOE Time needed to complete process varies Consultant provided for large or complex events

AEAP Award Grant Award Grant monitoring Administrative Review includes a review of the grant file, a personnel review, and subcontractor/sub-recipient monitoring Programmatic Review – includes looking at content and substance of the grant to determine whether the grant activities are consistent with the implementation plan and grant goals/objectives Financial Review – looking at how a grantee tracks budget to actual expenditure amounts in approved budget categories

Help communities prepare and respond to mass violence Compendium of Resources, operational procedures, best practices, and lessons learned Planning through long-term victim support Checklists: Planning/Partnership, Response, Recovery Who should use the toolkit? VOCA Administrators State and city government officials Emergency planners, law enforcement, prosecutors Victim service providers and health care/mental health providers Mass Violence Lessons Learned Toolkit

How to use the Toolkit Step-by-step approach to help develop a comprehensive victim assistance plan for mass violence incidents Bring together key partners to review emergency plans and integrate or refine victim issues Victim assistance protocols can enhance the effectiveness of response and recovery. Response and Recovery checklists can assist communities address immediate and longer-term victim issues. Online availability estimated for late 2014 or early 2015 Mass Violence Lessons Learned Toolkit

Eugenia Pedley OVC AEAP Webpage Contact Information