NCJ Number
197448
Date Published
June 1998
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This "Fact Sheet" presents the background, purpose, eligibility, expenses, and examples of the Mentor Program to assist Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) State administrators with grant-management issues that affect the delivery of services to crime victims.
Abstract
Through the Mentor program, the Federal Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is helping to develop the skills, knowledge, and abilities of all VOCA administrators and their staffs. Participation is open to administrators and staff of crime victim compensation and assistance programs. The purpose of the Mentor Program is to facilitate peer consultation in which an administrator from one State can provide technical assistance and skills training to an administrator in another State. The range of assistance available is as diverse as the work experience of VOCA administrators. Examples provided in this report illustrate how the VOCA Victim Compensation and Assistance Mentor Program has proven to be a valuable and effective resource. Regarding eligibility, the mentors selected by OVC are State administrators who have achieved a proven level of expertise in specialized areas. There is no registration deadline, and mentor assistance is available to VOCA administrators throughout the year as needed. OVC compensates trainers, reimburses travel expenses associated with onsite assistance or staff consultations, and covers the cost of any materials needed for the technical assistance visit. Thus, there is no cost to the trainers, those receiving assistance, or their agencies.