Best Domestic Violence Grants in Wyoming

Wyoming Division of Victim Services

Speaking as one voice for victims of crime. The mission of the Wyoming Division of Victim Services (DVS) is to cultivate social change and access to victim services through the provision of resources, education, and program support and development.

Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) Funds

The purpose of VOCA is to provide direct services to victims of crime. "Services to victims of crime" are those activities directly benefiting individual crime victims and ensuring the availability of comprehensive services to all victims of crime in Wyoming. Each year a portion of VOCA funding is set-aside for special projects. Services under this program are used to:

respond to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims;

assist primary and secondary victims of crime to stabilize their lives after victimization;

assist victims in understanding and participating in the criminal justice system; and

provide victims of crime with a measure of safety and security.

VOCA funds are awarded on a competitive, non-formula basis, to eligible victim service programs. VOCA funds are used to support the provision of services to all victims of crime.

The purpose of FVPSA is to assist States in supporting the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of programs and projects that: Help to prevent incidents of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence; provide immediate shelter and supportive services and access to community-based programs for victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence and their dependents; provide specialized services including trauma informed services to children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, underserved populations, and victims who are members of racial and ethnic minority populations. The FVPSA reauthorization of 2010 bill was signed into law December 20, 2010. The reauthorization bill enhances upon FVPSA efforts in improvements to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, initiatives in teen dating violence, and services to the nation's territories and program's helping children who witness violence and more.

Wyoming domestic violence and sexual assault shelters, crisis centers, and advocacy organizations can receive funding for shelter, crisis intervention, and prevention education services. Wyoming Division of Victim Services administers these state general funds, along with related federal grants, to support local programs serving victims and survivors across the state.

VAWA STOP funds have been appropriated annually by Congress to support communities in their efforts to hire and retain criminal justice and victim service personnel that respond to crimes of domestic violence, dating violence sexual assault, and stalking as a way to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement, prosecution strategies, and victim services.