Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Assistance Grants
The federal VOCA assistance grant program offers funding to local community providers for use in responding to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims, assisting victims in stabilizing their lives after their victimization, helping victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice system, and providing victims with a measure of safety and security.
The Crime Victims Fund (the Fund) was established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984. The Fund is financed by fines and penalties paid by convicted federal offenders, not from tax dollars.
Some crime victims, particularly victims of violent crime, may be eligible for victim compensation. The Office of the Attorney General for the State of Florida administers the Crime Victim Compensation Program. This program provides compensation for such out-of-pocket expenses as medical bills, lost wages, funeral bills, and counseling related to the impact of the crime when there is an injury or death, or threat of injury to the victim. Compensation is paid only when other financial resources, such as private insurance, worker’s comp, and/or offender restitution, do not cover the loss.
This year (Oct2017 to Aug2018), SOS has three victim advocates under this program and have served so far 617 victims.
OUR PROGRAMS
The Safe Families Partnership Network (SFPN)
The Safe Families Partnership Network (SFPN) provides care coordination to children and families who are victims of violence. Other risk factors include child abuse or neglect, child chronic absenteeism, and child disruptive behaviors. The referrals are accepted from Law Enforcement, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, DCF, Court system, and self-referrals (walk-ins).
HPD Group Violence Intervention (GVI)
The Homestead Police Department Group Violence Intervention model is a part of a national program that seeks to decrease gun related deaths. The GVI is designed to reduce gun related homicide, targeting group or gang-involved individuals at high risk of violence and retaliation instances.
College Preparation Academy
This grant is funded by the Children’s’ Trust of Miami Dade County. The City of Homestead College Preparation Academy is a partnership between the City of Homestead, Homestead Police Athletic League, Homestead Police Explorers and Project Start Off Smart (SOS) The eight (8) week summer program prepares the youth and their families for what to expect during the college application, admission and acceptance process.
Office on Violence Against Women (OVW)
The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) provides federal leadership in developing the national capacity to reduce violence against women and administer justice for and strengthen services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
Educational Civic Engagement Projects
The Ocean Reef Community Foundation (ORCF) has provided SOS a grant in order to work in collaboration with the Homestead Police Department community policing unit to conduct educational civic engagement projects. It takes law enforcement and residents working together in order to improve the quality of life for all through a reduction of crime and disorder. SOS has joined with the Homestead Police Department in a communitywide “See Something, Say Something” campaign.