Victim Services, Office of

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 2021 Executive Budget recommends $212 million and 102 FTEs for the Office, an increase of $40.2 million over FY 2020. The increase is attributable to an increase in the 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 2020	Appropriations Recommended FY 2021	Change From FY 2020	Reappropriations Recommended FY 2021
State Operations	15,073,000	13,909,000	(1,164,000)	11,315,000
Aid To Localities	156,725,000	198,083,000	41,358,000	319,086,000
Total	171,798,000	211,992,000	40,194,000	330,401,000

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program	FY 2020 Estimated FTEs 03/31/20	FY 2021 Estimated FTEs 03/31/21	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 2020	Recommended FY 2021	Change
Special Revenue Funds - Federal	8,577,000	7,413,000	(1,164,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Other	6,496,000	6,496,000	0
Total	15,073,000	13,909,000	(1,164,000)

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program	Available FY 2020	Recommended FY 2021	Change
Administration
Special Revenue Funds - Federal	7,077,000	5,143,000	(1,934,000)
Special Revenue Funds - Other	6,153,000	6,496,000	343,000
Victim and Witness Assistance
Special Revenue Funds - Federal	1,500,000	2,270,000	770,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other	343,000	0	(343,000)
Total	15,073,000	13,909,000	(1,164,000)

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program	Total		Personal Service
Program	Amount	Change	Amount	Change
Administration	11,639,000	(1,591,000)	6,869,000	460,000
Victim and Witness Assistance	2,270,000	427,000	1,600,000	562,000
Total	13,909,000	(1,164,000)	8,469,000	1,022,000

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program	Nonpersonal Service
Program	Amount	Change
Administration	4,770,000	(2,051,000)
Victim and Witness Assistance	670,000	(135,000)
Total	5,440,000	(2,186,000)

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type	Available FY 2020	Recommended FY 2021	Change
Special Revenue Funds - Federal	117,377,000	161,523,000	44,146,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other	39,348,000	36,560,000	(2,788,000)
Total	156,725,000	198,083,000	41,358,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program	Available FY 2020	Recommended FY 2021	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
Special Revenue Funds - Federal	105,854,000	150,000,000	44,146,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other	15,828,000	13,040,000	(2,788,000)
Total	156,725,000	198,083,000	41,358,000

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/29/2020

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