Victim Services, Office of

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Agency Web Site: https://ovs.ny.gov/Link to External Website

Mission

The Office of Victim Services (OVS) has a three-tiered mission to: provide compensation to innocent victims of crime in a timely, efficient and compassionate manner; fund direct services to crime victims via a network of community-based programs; and advocate for the rights and benefits of all innocent victims of crime.

Organization and Staffing

The Office is headed by a Director, who is appointed by the Governor for a term of three years. The Director coordinates and recommends policy relating to the provision of services to crime victims. In addition to the Director, OVS has a staff to aid in the fulfillment of its mission. Work of the agency is carried out from two locations; a primary office in Albany and one in Brooklyn. Major units of the agency include: Investigations, Rehabilitation and Additional Medical Services, Administrative Services, and Grants.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2020 Executive Budget recommends $171.8 million and 102 FTEs for the Office, an increase of $52.1 million over FY 2019. The increase is attributable to an increase in Federal Victims of Crime Act award to OVS.

Program Highlights

Victim Compensation

Provides compensation to victims of crime and their families by paying unreimbursed crime-related expenses, including but not limited to: medical and funeral expenses, loss of earnings or support, counseling costs, crime scene clean-up expenses, the cost to repair or replace items of essential personal property, the cost of residing at or utilizing the services of a domestic violence shelter, and limited attorney fees.

Victim and Witness Assistance

Provides awards through a competitive process to organizations across the State serving crime victims. Currently, OVS administers and processes over 300 contracts with Victim Assistance Programs serving all 62 counties. Additionally, this Unit coordinates with other agencies in the State on victim and witness service initiatives and priorities and serves as a liaison for the agency with various crime victim coalitions, federal authorities, the public and other interested parties.

ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category Available
FY 2019
Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
Change From
FY 2019
Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2020
State Operations 12,973,000 15,073,000 2,100,000 6,678,000
Aid To Localities 106,725,000 156,725,000 50,000,000 236,260,000
Total 119,698,000 171,798,000 52,100,000 242,938,000

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2019
Estimated FTEs
03/31/19
FY 2020
Estimated FTEs
03/31/20
FTE Change
Administration
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 48 48 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 54 54 0
Total 102 102 0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 6,477,000 8,577,000 2,100,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 6,496,000 6,496,000 0
Total 12,973,000 15,073,000 2,100,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Administration
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 4,977,000 7,077,000 2,100,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 6,153,000 6,153,000 0
Victim and Witness Assistance
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 1,500,000 1,500,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 343,000 343,000 0
Total 12,973,000 15,073,000 2,100,000

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 13,230,000 2,100,000 6,409,000 600,000
Victim and Witness Assistance 1,843,000 0 1,038,000 0
Total 15,073,000 2,100,000 7,447,000 600,000
STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2020 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change
Administration 6,821,000 1,500,000
Victim and Witness Assistance 805,000 0
Total 7,626,000 1,500,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
General Fund 2,788,000 0 (2,788,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 67,377,000 117,377,000 50,000,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 36,560,000 39,348,000 2,788,000
Total 106,725,000 156,725,000 50,000,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2019
Recommended
FY 2020
Change
Payment to Victims
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 11,523,000 11,523,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Other 23,520,000 23,520,000 0
Victim and Witness Assistance
General Fund 2,788,000 0 (2,788,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 55,854,000 105,854,000 50,000,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 13,040,000 15,828,000 2,788,000
Total 106,725,000 156,725,000 50,000,000

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/15/2019