Rebecca Lee Knox

BROWARD VICTIMS’ RIGHTS COALITION, INC.
CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE FUND
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES


POLICY STATEMENT

The Broward Victims’ Rights Coalition Crime Victim Assistance Fund (herein after referred to as the “Fund”) recognizes that crime victims and survivors may suffer financial hardship as a result of their victimization. Hardships may include, but are not limited to; housing, utilities, food, furnishings, clothing, childcare, rent deposits, transportation, medical care, and other basic needs.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Broward Victims’ Rights Coalition Fund is to provide limited emergency financial assistance to crime victims and/or their families when no other funds are available.

DEFINITIONS

The term “Victim” refers to persons who have experienced a physical, emotional, or financial loss as a result of a criminal act, who meet the Fund’s eligibility criteria. This includes primaryand secondary victims and survivors.

The term The term “Victim Service Provider”“Victim Service Provider” (Provider), refers to all agencies and service providers serving theneeds of crime victims.

The term The term “Criminal Act” refers to the act that physically or emotionally harms another or that results in damage or loss of property, which, if reported to the police, would be considered a crime in the State of Florida even in the absence of pending criminal charges.“Criminal Act” refers to the act that physically or emotionally harms another or that results in damage or loss of property, which, if reported to the police, would be considered a crime in the State of Florida even in the absence of pending criminal charges. 


BUDGETARY REGULATIONS

As specified in the By-laws, all sums placed into the Fund shall be appropriated by the members of the BVRC, prior to expenditure thereof for the purposes of establishing, operating, maintaining and improving the Coalition.

The BVRC Fund may receive its operating capital through contributions from citizens, private businesses and public sector agencies. Contributors to the Fund may, in some instances, designate how their donations are to be expended. The Coalition, however, will exercise maximum flexibility in distributing funds to those victims most in need of service(s).

The Coalition will maintain a separate bookkeeping system by which to account for all Fund deposits, revenues, and expenditures, and will ensure that all transactions are accounted for and justified.

The Coalition will request the Treasurer to provide financial summary reports reflecting the Fund revenues, expenditures and balance. The summary reports will serve as an accountability tool to verify that the Coalition and the Fund Committee records are in agreement.

The Coalition will enter into agreements with local vendors, where possible, to request that goods and services be provided to authorized/identified victims/survivors presenting a Coalition voucher. The voucher will be written for the exact amount of purchase, and must be signed by the Treasurer or designee.

The vendor(s) will be advised by the Coalition that original invoices for services rendered must be forwarded to the Coalition for processing of reimbursements, and that such requests will be handled expediently.

ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES/CRITERIA
The Treasurer, as the administrative designee is fully responsible for overseeing deposits, revenues, expenditures and ending balances of the Fund.

The Treasurer and designated members of the Fund Committee will approve/disapprove, in writing, all victim/survivor(s) requests for financial assistance from the Fund.

The Fund will be used to provide financial assistance to crime victims/survivors in accordance with the eligibility requirements.


GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

  1. RESIDENCE - The Fund will be available to assist crime victims and their family members residing in Broward County; and may assist nonresident crime victims and their family members victimized within Broward County.
  2. PROOF OF VICTIMIZATION - Crime Victims or survivors must provide proof the victimization occurred within Broward County. A Police Report, Restraining Order/Injunction or submission of application from a Provider who serves the crime victim may serve as acceptable evidence.
  3. PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY - Financial assistance must be requested by victim/survivor within sixty (60) days following the victimization, unless good cause exists for waiving this criterion.
  4. NON-DUPLICATION OF SERVICES - The Coalition will not administer assistance from the Fund when victims are eligible for aid through other community resources. A Victim applicant must first explore all other available community resources. If required, Coalition members may be asked to assist and advocate on behalf of the applicant(s).
  5. The Coalition will serve the needs of crime victims only when other community resources have:
    • exhausted their budget;
    • no provision in their guidelines to honor client’s request;
    • limited funds to provide assistance to crime victims and must require matching funds from other agencies.
    • The Fund will provide financial assistance for current emergency expense/needs only.
  6. Crime victim/survivor(s) will be required to sign the Fund Application Form.
  7. Documentation of attempts to access other available resources will be written in the referral form and provided to the Fund Committee
  8. AGREEMENT TO REIMBURSE - The Coalition will utilize an “Agreement to Reimburse,” when feasible, when other income is expected to be available during the time assistance is requested.
  9. The Coalition will not use salary garnishment or other legal processes against anyone who fails to reimburse the Fund. However, failure to reimburse may jeopardize an individual’s ability to apply for future assistance, until the amount of the past assistance has been reimbursed.
  10. Crime victims/survivors will be requested/required to sign an Agreement to Reimburse the Fund for monies provided them when applicable.
  11. REPEAT VICTIMIZATIONS – Previously served Crime victims, their families and survivors may be eligible for financial assistance from the Fund providing proof of subsequent victimization and based on available funds.

PROCEDURES

  1. All applications must originate with a BVRC member (individual or agency member designee) in good standing.
     
  2. The use of the Fund may be available to victims after a majority of the Fund Committee members determines that the expenditure is essential to the victim. Commencing July 1, 2006, funds will be distributed in an amount not to exceed $100.00 per application. Thereafter, annual reviews will be conducted by the Fund committee and approved by the general membership to establish maximum financial awards per application.
     
  3. Providers will complete and submit a Fund Referral Form with supporting documentation to the Fund Committee via e-mail to an address to be established and maintained by the Coalition and provided to members.
     
  4. The expenditure of the Fund will be at the discretion of the Broward Victims’ Rights Coalition Fund Committee.
     
  5. The Fund Committee will consist of seven members in good standing with the Coalition. A Chair, an Executive Board representative and five Members at Large. The Executive Committee will compile and submit to the organization a committee slate to be approved by the general membership. All efforts shall be made to insure that the committee is representative of a cross section of agencies including, but not limited to: the judicial system; law enforcement; nonprofit and government service providers and the faith community.
     
  6. Upon approval by the Fund Committee designee, the Broward Victims’ Rights Coalition Treasurer will release funds.
     
  7. Emergency funds will be given directly to the Referring Provider and/or to the vendor on behalf of the victim. Receipts submissions are required.
     
  8. The Treasurer is fully responsible for overseeing deposits, expenditures, ending balances, and shall provide a monthly report to the general membership of the Broward Victims’ Rights Coalition.
     
  9. Documented notification of acceptance or denial will be provided to the BVRC member, who originated the application.

To Submit Online Form Click Here

  RLK CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE FUND ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES & PROCEDURES

  Rebeca Lee Knox Crime Victim Assistance Fund Application Form