CALIFORNIA CRIME VICTIMS ASSISTANCE ASSOCIATION
(FORMERLY THE CALIFORNIA VICTIM/WITNESS COORDINATING COUNCIL)
ANNUAL REPORT FY 06-07
MISSION & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES FOR FY 05-06-07
Adopted August 3, 2005 by CVWCC Board of Directors
MISSION
The mission of the California Victim/Witness Coordinating Council (CVWCC) is to advocate for crime victims’ rights and support Victim/Witness Assistance Programs that promote quality services for all crime victims and witnesses consistent with California law.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
1) Educate and Promote Awareness: Develop a comprehensive public education and awareness campaign to increase visibility of crime victims’ needs with key stakeholders.
2) Establish Sustainable Funding: Identify and develop stable funding sources to ensure the delivery of quality victim services by Victim/Witness programs.
3) Build Strategic Alliances: Define and develop key partnerships to promote crime victims’ rights and enhance services.
Message from the President & Board of Directors
NEW NAME CAPTURES WHO WE ARE
Effective July 1, 2007, the California Victim/Witness Coordinating Council (CVWCC or “Council”) began doing business under our new name, the California Crime Victims Assistance Association (CCVAA). This change in name reflects our role as a statewide forum for the support and promotion of crime victims’ rights and services as we continue to provide a unified voice for California victim/witness program coordinators. Because we are the sole California crime victim service organization advocating for all types of crime victims, the CCVAA remains a unique resource for state decision makers and policy setters. And, through partnerships with a number of key state agencies and organizations, the CCVAA remains committed to developing and advancing the field of victim services in California.
The CCVAA is comprised of 59 victim/witness coordinators responsible for the operation of victim/witness programs in all California counties, as well as federal victim/witness program coordinators from around the state. During FY 05-06, based on data provided by the Office of Emergency Services, county-based victim/witness assistance programs in California assisted 156,700 new victims of crime. Through the ongoing work of proactive committees and three regional groups, the CCVAA remains a dedicated and consistent voice for victims’ rights and services in California. This annual report offers an overview of the CCVAA’s activities and accomplishments during FY 06-07 and identifies key challenges in the near future.
california victim services training institute (CVSTI) update
1) Since 2000, the CCVAA has operated the “California Victim Services Training Institute” or CVSTI, with the primary objective to plan, coordinate and deliver professional training to victim/witness advocates, supervisors and directors of programs throughout the state. Today, 722 victim/witness assistance personnel and allied professionals have received specialized training from the CVSTI on crime victimization, the criminal justice system, case management and a host of focused topics to enhance the knowledge and skill levels of the victim service professionals. Training presenters are subject matter experts, including 60 victim/witness directors or staff members. As crime patterns change or new legislation is passed that relates to crime victim rights or services, the CCVAA revises the training to reflect those new trends and changes.
2) A related project of the CVSTI is the development and maintenance of a CCVAA-sponsored website (www.CVSTI.org) that serves as a repository of training information and a resource for victim/witness personnel and other victim service providers. Recently, the website was updated to enhance serviceability and use among advocates and allied professionals. With the marketing of our new name, the website will be a key communication tool in spreading the word.
3) For several years, the CVSTI has collaborated with OES to incorporate victim/witness centers into the statewide emergency response system for mass victimizations. In June, 2006, OES formally adopted an “OES Community Crisis Response Protocol for Victim/Witness Programs” to help guide us in developing local and regional response systems. As of June 2007, 339 victim/witness personnel had received 40-hours of crisis response training, 87 had received advanced training, 7 had attended “train the trainers” and 4 had been certified by the National Organization of Victim Assistance (NOVA). Now, additional trainings are planned to assist victim/witness directors in managing a community crisis. The next steps include the identification of county and regional networks that are ready to be mobilized when mass victimization strikes and working with all county victim/witness programs to be “crisis ready”.
4) In 2004, the CCVAA partnered with OES and with California State University Fresno to plan and implement a statewide crime victim assistance academy (California Victim Assistance Academy or CVAA). This basic academy, designed for a broad range of victim advocates, criminal justice personnel and allied professionals, is academic- focused and augments the job-focused trainings conducted annually by the CVSTI for victim/witness advocates and program directors. This new, cross-disciplinary training was delivered to students for the first time in June, 2006 and just recently wrapped up another week of training, for a total of 159 trainees. At this time, the CCVAA is consulting with OES leadership to arrive at the best strategy to meet legislative training requirements while advancing the professional training and development needs of victim/witness personnel.
CCVAA ACTIVITES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR FY 06-07
· With CDAA and Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, promoted and obtained extensive support of SB 153 (Migden, Runner). This bill would significantly enhance basic funding for victim/witness programs and implement other public safety and victim service measures.
· First Vice-President and Ventura County Victim/Witness Director Catherine Duggan is appointed by the Governor to the new 17-member commission of the Sex Offender Management Board in January, 2007.
· Assisted POST with the production of a new DVD “Victims of Violence”, designed to assist victims in working with law enforcement, prosecutors and judges in the successful investigation and prosecution of cases and to enhance awareness of victims’ rights and services.
· Formally supported 1) the California Sheriff’s Association application for federal funding of a victim notification project (VINE), and 2) S 973, the Restitution for Victims of Crime Act of 2007, a federal bill that assists victims in obtaining restitution and prevents federal defendants from spending or hiding their ill-gotten gains and assets.
· Participated in the March 19, 2007 Governor’s Summit on Sex Offender Housing, at which CCVAA First Vice-President (and Ventura Co. Victim/Witness Director) Catherine Duggan was a key presenter.
· Met with elected district attorneys at CDAA winter and summer conference roundtables.
· Participated as a member of advisory committees and councils with the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB) Victims of Crime Program (VCP), the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), the Office of Emergency Services for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) plan, and the CDCR Sex Offender Management Task Force.
· Participated as members of CDAA Victims’ Rights Committee and other CDAA victim-related committees; assisted CDAA with revising the “Victims’ Rights Manual”.
· Collaborated with the CA Chief Probation Officers (CPOC) on training issues and SB 153.
· Analyzed and made recommendations on recruitment and retention problems in victim/witness programs.
· Convened bi-monthly meetings with the VCGCB VCP to enhance communication and problem solve, streamline procedures and help identify new or revised policies.
FUTURE CHALLENGES & EMERGING ISSUES
· Obtain additional, stable state funding for victim/witness programs through legislation and/or budget policy (ie, SB 153).
· Through the Executive Committee and Public Policy Committee, work with the Governor’s Crime Victim Advocate, Susan Fisher and other victim service leaders to develop a strategic plan for the comprehensive delivery of crime victim services in California.
· With the adoption of our new name, develop and publish a brochure and informational packet for distribution to state agencies, other victim service agencies, legislators, policy makers, the media and the general public.
· Continue updates and enhancements of CVSTI website.
· Work with CDAA to include an annual award for an outstanding crime victim advocate at the annual CDAA Award Luncheon or Banquet.
· In cooperation with CDAA and the VCGCB, distribute updated Victims’ Rights Manuals to VW Programs and DA offices statewide and post on CVSTI website (or link to CDAA).
· With OES consultant, identify counties that are prepared to respond to mass victimization events and develop regional response networks.
· For each CCVAA Region, develop and implement a mentoring plan and resource program for new coordinators.
· Continue working with CPOC to promote cross-training and other collaborative projects.
· Develop a formal relationship with the Sheriff’s Association and Police Chief’s Association through a liaison or other representation.
· In each county, meet with local legislators and/or their aides to familiarize them with victim/witness program services, the CCVAA and the availability of local victim/witness coordinators for questions and concerns re: crime victim issues.
· Expand linkages with victim service activist groups including Crime Victims United (CVU), the Doris Tate Crime Victims’ Bureau, California MADD, the Carol Sund Carrington Foundation and other prospective “partners” to promote victims’ rights and services.
· Work with OES to ensure that victim/witness programs are represented on advisory committees and task forces involving crime victims served by victim/witness programs.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS FY 06-07
President Cindy Marie Absey (San Luis Obispo County)
First Vice-President Catherine Duggan (Ventura County)
Second Vice-President Linda J. Lucas (Tehama County)
Secretary Gayle Cain (Tulare County)
Treasurer Rod Gillespie (Nevada County)
Sergeant-At-Arms Lisa Foster (Alameda County)
Board Members
Cynthia Alexis (San Francisco County)
Coleen Chiles (Siskiyou County)
Marilynn Kimball (San Bernardino County)
Ronnetta Johnson (Orange County)
Kerry Martin (Sacramento County)
Joyce Moser (Humboldt County)
Grace Nelson (San Mateo County)
Megan Rheinschild (Santa Barbara County)
Karen Sifuentes (Yolo County)
Kristine Thornberry (Riverside County)
Regional Representatives
Ginger Martin (Northern Region)
Diane Batres (Central Region)
Pam Littrell (Southern Region)
Board of Directors FY 07-08
Officers
Marilynn Kimball (San Bernardino County) President
Ronnetta Johnson (Orange County) First Vice-President
Megan Riker-Rheinschild (Santa Barbara County) Second Vice-President
Kristine Thornberry (Riverside County) Secretary
Rod Gillespie (Nevada County): Treasurer
Linda J. Lucas (Tehama County): Sergeant-at-Arms
Board Members
Cindy Marie Absey (San Luis Obispo County)
Cynthia Alexis (San Francisco County)
Gayle Cain (Tulare County)
Coleen Chiles (Siskiyou County)
Catherine Duggan (Ventura County)
Lisa Foster (Alameda County)
Leslie Knobel (Fresno County)
Sam Laird (Lake County)
Kerry Martin (Sacramento County)
Joyce Moser (Humboldt County)
Grace Nelson (San Mateo County)
Karen Sifuentes (Yolo County)
Regional Representatives
Melissa Romero (Butte County) Northern Region
Diane Batres (San Joaquin County Central Region
Pam Littrell (Imperial County) Southern Region