Victim Services Organizations Worry About Future State Funds

Crime victims in need are getting a break from state lawmakers.

Several organizations offering crime victim services were worried their state funds could soon be slashed dramatically due to a budget shortfall in the Compensation to Victims of Crime Fund, or CVC fund.

That shortfall has since been addressed, according to state representative Dee Margo. However, the funds will only stay consistent through the end of 2013.

Lisa Saucedo, executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of El Paso, told ABC-7 she is happy to hear about the bridged budget, but worries about the future. CASA of El Paso currently serves more than 500 victimized kids by setting them up with volunteers.

“2013 is coming up rather quickly,” said Saucedo. “Our concern is that these children will not be served, and that the state will cut out all crime victim services funding.”

Saucedo said CASA of El Paso currently gets about $162,000 from the CVC fund every year. She said programs like hers actually help the state save money in the long run. For example, kids with CASA volunteers typically spend less time in the foster care system.

Margo said the fund was shored up because millions of dollars set for a similar initiative were instead recently rerouted to the CVC fund.

Why the original shortfall? Margo said the CVC is mostly funded by court fees and fines. He said difficulties collecting that money is partly to blame.

“There hasn’t really been a full fledged effort across the state to collect the fees,” said Margo.

Margo said looking into the collection process and fostering other sources of state revenue could make a difference down the line.

“There’s plenty of room for improvements,” said Margo. “We’ll do the best we can.”