Colorado Crime Victim Services (VOCA)

Why It Matters

VOCA is SungateKids’ lifeblood—funding forensic interviews, advocacy, and therapy that keep the child advocacy center operating. Renewal protects core services and demonstrates statewide leadership for CACs.

Eligibility Snapshot

• Colorado 501(c)(3) delivering direct victim services (child abuse victims are a federally mandated VOCA priority).
• Must maintain compliance with federal civil rights, reporting (CVC database), and financial management standards.
• Eligible expenses include victim-focused personnel, therapy supplies, forensic equipment, and travel tied to services.
• Match is waived in Colorado thanks to VOCA Fix Act provisions.

Application Requirements

• Submit through OVP’s consolidated grant portal (covers VOCA, VAWA, SASP, state VALE).
• Comprehensive narrative: problem statement, services, objectives, collaboration, evaluation, capacity, and sustainability.
• Detailed budget with justification for each VOCA-eligible cost (personnel, benefits, travel, supplies, contractual, etc.).
• Attachments typically include audit/financials, org chart, job descriptions, and MOUs/letters illustrating MDT collaboration.
• Expect extensive Q&A rounds and scoring rubric focused on need, program quality, outcomes, and fiscal stewardship.

Strategic Fit

Mission alignment: VOCA exists to fund victim assistance; CAC services like SungateKids are explicitly recognized as essential interventions.

Peer landscape: All accredited Colorado CACs rely on VOCA (e.g., Ralston House $451K, SungateKids $314K), underscoring the grant’s centrality.

Funding climate: VOCA allocations have declined 75% since 2018—strong applications with clear outcomes are necessary to maintain share.

Competition: Victim services across the state compete for limited federal dollars; demonstrating rising caseloads and measurable impact is the best defense.

Relationships: Maintain impeccable compliance with OVP, engage in Colorado Children’s Alliance advocacy, and stay active in grantee workshops.

Success Factors

• Present updated demand data (forensic interviews, therapy hours, waitlists) tied to jurisdictional need.
• Document outcomes—successful prosecutions supported, caregiver satisfaction, trauma symptom reduction.
• Showcase MDT coordination with law enforcement, DA offices, medical partners, and child welfare.
• Outline evaluation and performance management (CVC reporting, quality assurance, continuous improvement).

Risks & Mitigation

• Funding cuts: Prepare scenario plans and advocacy messaging in case statewide reductions continue.
• Compliance: Keep reporting current; any lapse jeopardizes renewal.
• Program scope: VOCA cannot fund prevention-only work—clearly separate SafeKids costs from victim services.

ROI & Next Moves

40+ hours secure $300K+ annually—irreplaceable ROI. Launch the renewal team by mid-November, gather CY2025 metrics, refresh budgets, and schedule partner support letters well before OVP opens the portal.

Key Resources

• Colorado Office for Victims Programs