Programs certified to receive 5% fines and fees for victim services [2008]

I. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Authority & Responsibilities Regarding: (A) Certification of Local Victim Assistance Programs (B) Reporting of Local Victim Assistance Add-On Fines Collected & Disbursed (C) Reporting by Local Victim Assistance Programs of Funds Received & Victims Served
The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council was created by the Georgia Legislature in 1981. The applicable authority, membership, role, and responsibilities of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council are set forth in Georgia Code Title 35, Chapter 6A, sections 35-6A-1 through 35-6A-9. The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council is charged by the General Assembly "to provide the necessary leadership to coordinate the major components of the criminal justice system."
The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council is also Georgia's designated State Administrative Agency; this means that CJCC is the state agency that applies to the U.S. Department of Justice for federal grants, and administers the redistribution of these grant funds to criminal justice agencies, including victim assistance programs. As Georgia's State Administrative Agency, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council applies for two federal grants that support victim assistance programs in Georgia: the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant.
The original statute passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 1995 as O.C.G.A. 1521-130-134 (Article 8 Funding for Local Victim Assistance Programs) provided funding for local victim assistance programs through the imposition of an additional penalty equal to 5 percent of the original fine imposed on any criminal offense or any criminal ordinance violation in any court of this state, or any municipality or political subdivision of the state. Funds derived through these Local Victim Assistance Add-On Fines are referred also as "five percent funds." The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council's functions as enumerated in Code section 35-6A-7 include "(10) To promulgate rules governing the approval of victim assistance programs as provided for in Article 8 of Chapter 21 of Title 15."
In the 2007 Regular Session of the Georgia General Assembly, O.C.G.A 15-21-132 was revised to clarify the roles of different county and state agencies in the collection, distribution, and reporting of the Local Victim Assistance Add-On Fines and in the certification of victims' assistance programs eligibility to receive these funds. The entire text of Article 8, as amended, is provided in Section II below.
In response, the Administrative Rules Committee of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) made changes in the CJCC's Administrative Rules, Chapter 144-6, which provides guidance on definitions pertaining to victims' assistance programs, procedures for reporting and applying for certification, and a list of pre-approved services. The change in procedures applies to county governing authorities and district attorneys collecting and disbursing funds and to agencies applying for certification of eligibility to receive these funds. The entire text of the relevant section of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council's Administrative Rules is provided in Sections III-VI below.

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The information reported from county governing authorities, district attorneys, and victim assistance programs about moneys collected through add-on fines (5% funds) and redistributed to local victim assistance programs enables the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to fulfill two of its primary responsibilities under Article 8: (1) to make informed decisions about the allocation of funds from its federal grants to victim assistance programs, and (2) to report to the Georgia Legislature and the Governor the amount of funds from criminal fines collected through local courts for the support of victim assistance programs. In turn, this responsibility is tied directly to the functions and authority of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council as described in Title 35 Code 35-6A-7.
II. Official Code of Georgia, Title 15 Courts, Article 8 Funding for Local Victim Assistance Programs
15-21-130. Legislative Intent.
It is the intent of this article to provide funding for local victim assistance programs. (Code 1981, 15-21-130, enacted by Georgia Legislature, 1995, p. 260, 3.)
15-21-131. Imposition of additional fines.
(a) In every case in which any court of this state or any municipality or political subdivision of this state shall impose a fine, which shall be construed to include costs, for any criminal offense or any criminal ordinance violation, there shall be imposed as an additional penalty a sum equal to 5 percent of the original fine.
(b) Such sums shall be in addition to any amount required by Code Section 47-17-60 to be paid into the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund and in addition to any other amounts provided for in this chapter. (Code 1981, 15-21-131, enacted by Georgia Legislature, 1995, p. 260, 3; Georgia Legislature 1997, p. 551, 1.)
15-21-132. Assessment and collection of additional sums; reporting; certification of victim assistance programs.
(a) The sums provided for in Code Section 15-21-131 shall be assessed and collected by the court officer charged with the duty of collecting moneys arising from fines and shall be paid monthly:
(1) If the county where the fine was imposed operates or participates in any victim assistance program certified by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, to the governing authority of the county for disbursement to those victim assistance programs; or

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(2) If the county where the fine was imposed does not operate or participate in any victim assistance program certified by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, to the district attorney of the judicial circuit in which the county is located for the purpose of defraying the costs of victim assistance activities carried out by the district attorney's office. Such funds shall be paid over in the same manner as other county funds paid for operations of the district attorney's office and shall in addition to rather than in lieu of any other such funds.

All such funds shall be paid to the recipients by the last day of the month in which the funds are received; provided, however, that the governing authority of the county shall be authorized to hold as reserve funds an amount not to exceed 5 percent of the funds received by the governing authority in the preceding calendar year.

(b) The court officer charged with the duty of collecting moneys arising from fines as provided for in Code Section 15-21-131 shall receive and distribute the funds collected to the county governing authority or district attorney as appropriate, and shall submit a monthly report of the collection and distribution of such funds to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, and the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority shall submit a financial report to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council each month stating the amount collected and the amount disbursed no later than the last day of the month following the month in which the funds were collected.

(c) The county governing authority receiving funds shall submit a financial report to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council semiannually stating the recipients that directly received funds during such reporting period no later than the last day of the month following the reporting period in which the funds were collected in order to allow coordination of local, state, and federal funding sources for similar services. The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council shall report annually to the General Assembly the county governing authorities that failed to submit semiannual reports during the previous calendar year.

(d) All recipients of funds pursuant to this Code Section, except county governing authorities, shall submit an annual report to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Such report shall include, but not be limited to, the total amount of funds received pursuant to this Code section, the purposes for which the funds were expended, and the total number of victims served in each county for which the funds were received. A copy of each recipient's annual report shall also be submitted to each county governing authority from which funds were received pursuant to this Code section.

(e) The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council shall promulgate rules governing the certification of victim assistance programs. The rules shall provide for the certification of programs which are designed to provide substantial assistance to victims of crime in understanding and dealing with the criminal justice system as it relates to the crimes committed against them. It is the intention of the General Assembly that certification shall be liberally granted so as to encourage local innovations in the development of victim assistance programs.

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(f) The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council shall promulgate rules governing the revocation of certification of victim assistance programs. Such rules shall provide for the decertification of programs previously certified by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council that are no longer in compliance with the rules promulgated by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council pursuant to this Code section.
(g) Moneys arising from fines imposed pursuant to Code Section 15-21-131 shall not be paid to any victim assistance program that has not been certified by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council or to any program that has been decertified by such council.
(h) Each calendar quarter, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council shall prepare and publish, by document and posting on its website, a report that shall list each court which has not filed the reports required by subsection (b) of this Code section (Code 1981, 15-21-132, enacted by Georgia Legislature 1995, p. 260, 3; Georgia Legislature 2000, p. 1359, 14; Georgia Legislature 2005, p. ES3, 7; Georgia Legislature 2006, p. 710, 1/SB 203.)
15-21-133. Payment of additional sums.
Reserved. Repealed by Georgia Legislature 2005, p. ES3, 8, effective June 15, 2004.
15-21-134. Refusal to pay sums as provided in this article.
Any person whose duty it is to collect and remit the sums provided for in this article who refuses to do so remit shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (Code 1981, 15-21-134, enacted by Georgia Legislature 1995, p. 260, 3.)

III. Definitions (Criminal Justice Administrative Rules, amended)
144-6-.01 Definitions For purposes of approving or certifying Victim Assistance Programs, the following terms and phrases contained in O.C.G.A. 15-21-130 et. seq. are defined:
(a) "Certified victim assistance program" refers to any governmental agency, private nonprofit organization, or prosecuting attorney's office which has met the criteria established by the CJCC.
(b) "CJCC" refers to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. (c) "County" or "county governing body" refers to County Commission. (d) "Court Officer" refers to a person charged with the duty of collecting moneys arising
from criminal fines ordered by a court and will generally be the Clerk of the Court. (e) "Courts" refers to all superior, state, probate, magistrate, municipal, and other courts that
assess or collect fines pursuant to Georgia law. (f) "Crime" refers to any criminal offense as defined by Title 16 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated or any other applicable Code Section.

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(g) "Eligible Applicant" refers to any governmental agency or private non-profit organization that meets all applicable certification criteria set forth by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC).
(h) "Fine" refers to any criminal fine or criminal bond forfeiture ordered by a court. (i) "GSCCCA" refers to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority. (j) "Victim" refers to any person against whom a crime has been perpetrated. (k) "Victim assistance program" refers to any governmental agency, private non-profit
organization, or prosecuting attorney's office that coordinates and provides direct services to victims of crime.
Authority O.C.G.A. s. 15-21-132, 35-6A-7. History. Original Rule entitled "Definitions" adopted: F. June 14, 1995; eff. July 4, 1995. Amended: F. Sept. 24, 2001; eff. Oct. 14, 2001. Amended: F. Jan. 15, 2002; eff. Feb. 5, 2002.

IV. Procedures for Counties (Criminal Justice Administrative Rules, amended)
144-6-.02 Procedures.
(a) Local Victim Assistance Add-On Fine Collection, Distribution, and Reporting
1. An additional penalty of 5% of the original fine shall be added to every criminal offense or criminal ordinance violation where a fine has been imposed for any court. This amount is in addition to any amount required for the Police Officers' Annuity Benefit Fund or any other amounts provided in O.C.G.A. 15-21-131.
2. Five percent of the original fine shall be assessed and collected by the court officer who shall distribute said funds to either the county in which the court resides or, if the county has no certified victim assistance program, to the district attorney, no later than the end of the month in which the funds were received.
3. The court officer shall report monthly to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority (GSCCA) the amount of funds collected and disbursed to the county or to the prosecuting attorney.
4. The GSCCCA must submit a monthly financial report to the CJCC stating the amount collected and disbursed no later than the end of the month following the month in which the funds were collected.
5. The county must decide what percentage of the total funds will be given to each program if there is more than one certified victim assistance program within the county.
6. The county may reserve up to 5% of the funds received in the previous year as a contingency fund to sustain victim assistance programs.

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7. Semiannually, the county must submit to the CJCC a financial report detailing the recipients that received funding and the amounts disbursed to each recipient. If the county does not have a certified program and the funds have been disbursed directly to the district attorney, then the county must so notify the CJCC. Such reports are due January 31st and July 31st for the reporting periods ending December 31st and June 30th, respectively.
Counties are not released from their obligation to submit a financial report to CJCC detailing the funds collected and distributed under item 7 above, even if the court officer distributes said funds directly to the district attorney as provided for in item 2 above.
8. The CJCC is required to report annually to the General Assembly the counties that do not submit semiannual reports. Such report will be due on March 1st of each year and will be published on the CJCC's website.
9. All certified victim assistance programs that receive funding from this source must report annually to the CJCC. Such reports will be for the reporting period of January 1 through December 31 and be due no later than February 15th of the year following the reporting period. Failure to report may result in decertification of the program. Forms for reporting will be available from CJCC and on CJCC's website and will include financial and programmatic information as well as information concerning victims served.
District attorneys are not released from the requirement to submit an annual report to the CJCC under item A-9 above, even if the court officer distributes said funds directly to the district attorney as provided for in item A-2 above.
10. Per item 6 under (b) Application for Program Certification by the CJCC: All certified programs will be evaluated on a biannual basis.
Authority O.C.G.A. s. 15-21-132, 35-6A-4, 35-6A-7. History. Original Rule entitled "Procedures" adopted: F. June 14, 1995; eff. July 4, 1995. Amended: F. Sept. 24, 2001; eff. Oct. 14, 2001. Amended: F. Nov. 20, 2007; eff. January 29, 2008.
Beginning in 2008, all counties will be asked to complete the County Information Form. A copy of this form is included in Section VII below. This form should be returned to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council by February 29th, 2008.
In subsequent years, counties will be required to update contact information in their semiannual reports. A copy of the preferred format for the semi-annual report is included in Section VII below. In subsequent years, the updated County Information Form and the July 1- December 31 Semi-Annual Report will be due January 30th of the following year. The second semi-annual report, covering the January 1-June 30th period, is due July 31st of that same year.

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V. Procedures for Victims' Assistance Agencies (Criminal Justice Administrative Rules, amended)
144-6-.02 Procedures.
(b) Application for Program Certification by the CJCC
1. The application guidelines and form will be available from the CJCC on request or may be found on the CJCC's website. The application form is included in Section VII below.
2. Any victim assistance program desiring to be certified by the CJCC to receive funds authorized under O.C. G.A. 15-21-131 must submit a completed application with supporting documentation to the CJCC for consideration.
3. No program will be certified that does not show proof that it:
a ). Has notified and provided assistance to victims compensation application and submitting the application packet to the CJCC.
b ). Coordinates services with any governmental agency and private non-profit organization providing fundamental victim services within the county it serves;
c ). Has on staff a licensed professional in social work, psychology, or related field, or a graduate of the Georgia Victim Assistance Academy, the National Victim Assistance Academy, or other program that certifies persons providing assistance to victims.1,2 Proof that a staff member is scheduled to attend a certifying program may allow provisional certification of the program; and
d ). Provides or will provide services to victims of crime. (Examples of services which have been pre-approved by CJCC may be found at 144-6-.03).
4. Upon receipt of a completed application, CJCC's staff shall within thirty (30) days review the application and forward to the applicant correspondence from the CJCC's Director, or the Director's designee, either certifying the program as meeting all criteria set forth by the CJCC or rejecting its certification request.
5. If a program is denied approval it may within ten (10) days of receipt of any rejection letter appeal in writing to the CJCC's Crime Victim Assistance Advisory Committee. The Committee shall review the appeal at its next regularly scheduled meeting and may conduct a hearing to determine whether the appeal has any merit and may either affirm, overturn, or modify the initial decision.

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6. All certified programs will be evaluated on a biannual basis, and may be decertified if found to: a ). Be delinquent in meeting the reporting requirements; b ). Have used funds for activities other than providing direct services to victims; c ). No longer meet the minimum criteria as set forth in 144-6-.02 (b) 3; d ). Have failed to comply with these administrative rules; or e ). No longer provide services as outlined in the original application.
7. Per item 9 under (a) Local Victim Assistance Add-On Fine Collection, Distribution, and Reporting: All certified victim assistance programs that receive funding from this source must report annually to the CJCC. Such reports will be for the reporting period of January 1 through December 31 and be due no later than February 15th of the year following the reporting period. Failure to report may result in decertification of the program. Annual Reports will include financial and programmatic information as well as information concerning victims served.
District attorneys are not released from the requirement to apply to the CJCC for certification as a victim assistance program under items B-2 and B-3 above. District attorneys are not released from the requirement submit an annual report to the CJCC under item 9 above, even if the court officer distributes said funds directly to the district attorney as provided for in item A-2 above.
Authority O.C.G.A. s. 15-21-132, 35-6A-4, 35-6A-7. History. Original Rule entitled "Procedures" adopted: F. June 14, 1995; eff. July 4, 1995. Amended: F. Sept. 24, 2001; eff. Oct. 14, 2001. Amended: F. Nov. 20, 2007; eff. January 29, 2008.
Beginning in 2008, all agencies presently certified, as well as new agencies requesting certification, will be required to complete the Agency Certification Application. A copy of this form is included in Section VII below. This form should be returned to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council by March 15th, 2008.
In subsequent years, agencies will be required to reapply for certification every other year. In future years, the Agency Certification Application will be due at the same time as the Annual Report for the preceding year, on February 15th.
Agencies can submit an Agency Certification Application throughout the year. CJCC will review the application and return a decision to the applicant within thirty (30) days, per the Rules above. However, their period of certification shall last for the remainder of the year during which they are certified and for the entire year subsequent. Their reapplication for certification will then be due at the same time as their Annual Report for that entire year, on February 15th and accordingly thereafter.

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Agencies are required to submit a single Agency Certification Application, no matter how many counties are included in their service areas. Agencies may be certified as eligible to receive 5% funds in all counties within which they provide approved victims' assistance services. However, agencies must provide information in their Agency Certification Application about partnerships, memoranda of understanding, and clients served specific to each county. If this information is not provided in detail for each county in which the agency requests certification, certification for eligibility to receive 5% funds from that county will be withheld until such information is forthcoming.
1 Victim Assistance Programs can also meet this requirement by completing the Victim Assistance Training (VAT) Online, a Web-based training program funded by the Office for Victims of Crime at the Department of Justice. This training provides professionals with the basic skills they need to assist victims effectively and sensitively. VAT Online is divided into sections that can be completed when convenient. The total course time is approximately 40 hours, the same amount provided through the in-person National Victim Assistance Academy and the Georgia Victim Assistance Academy. VAT Online is free. Participants who complete VAT Online receive a Certificate of Completion. Attaching a copy of this certificate to the Agency Certification Application will fulfill this requirement.
2 Victim Assistance Programs can also meet this requirement if any member of their staff can show evidence of completion of an equivalent professional licensure or certification. An equivalent professional licensure or certification is one that is provided after the completion of at least 40 hours of training; that the professional association, educational institution, or other licensing body is accredited by the State of Georgia or nationally; and that the content of the training required for certification is related to the knowledge and skills needed to provide services to victims of crime. Acceptable certifications and licenses include, but are not limited to those provided to nurses, addiction counselors or specialists, and paralegals.
Applicants must attach a copy of their certification or license, with additional information provided about the required training and the certifying or licensing agency, to their applications. These will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by CJCC staff in accordance with the language of O.C.G.A. 15-21-132 (e) "...It is the intention of the General Assembly that certification shall be liberally granted so as to encourage local innovations in the development of victim assistance programs."

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VI. Pre-Approved Victims' Assistance Services (Criminal Justice Administrative Rules, amended)
A. 144-6-.03 List of Services Pre-approved by CJCC.
(1) Crisis Intervention (2) Emergency food and clothing. (3) Provide victim information on all victim rights available to them. (4) Accompaniment to Line-ups. (5) Accompaniment to interviews. (6) Information about case status and about all scheduled court proceedings. (7) Information about contact persons at jail and DA's office. (8) Brochures and/or general information about the criminal justice process. (9) Information on arrest status, bail, bond, and pretrial release. (10) Allow victim to have input on accused's jail release. (11) Accompaniment to forensic examination, paid for also. (12) Provide victim compensation information. (13) Information and/or assistance regarding protection and restraining orders. (14) Emergency shelter. (15) Tell victim of right to hearing on not releasing their address. (16) Coordination of victim/witness appearance. (17) Information about transportation options to hearings. (18) Information about case progress and disposition. (19) Support during trial process. (20) Allow victim to give input on diversions, dismissals, plea bargains,
continuances, and sentencing. (21) A safe place provided separate from the defendant and relatives during the trial. (22) Provide information all victim rights in the aftermath of a case disposition. (23) Inform victim of offender's status or release after disposition. (24) Enforcement of restitution orders. (25) Inform victim of right to victim impact statements and help with it. (26) Personal support during appeals process and motions for retrial. (27) Long term counseling referral. (28) Social services referral and referral to community based victim services. (29) Training for all employees (on victim services). (30) Prevention services aimed at re-victimization. (31) Volunteer utilization.
Authority O.C.G.A. s. 15-21-132, 35-6A-7. History. Original Rule entitled "List of Fundamental Services" adopted: F. June 14, 1995; eff. July 4, 1995. Amended: F. Nov. 20, 2007; eff. January 29, 2008.

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B. VOCA Grant Approved Victim Assistance Services
Some victim assistance programs and agencies may be more familiar with the list of services funded under the VOCA (Victims of Crime Assistance Act) grants distributed by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. For the purpose of the VOCA crime victim assistance grant program, a crime victim is a person who has suffered physical, sexual, financial, or emotional harm as a result of the commission of a crime. All services performed by agencies receiving VOCA grants from CJCC are also considered pre-approved by the CJCC for the purpose of these guidelines. These services are categorized by the federal government and by the CJCC as follows:
Immediate Health and Safety. Those services which respond to the immediate emotional and physical needs (excluding medical care) of crime victims such as:
(1) crisis intervention; (2) accompaniment to hospitals for medical examinations; (3) hotline counseling; (4) emergency food, clothing, transportation, and shelter (including emergency,
short-term nursing home shelter for elder abuse victims for whom no other safe, short-term residence is available); and (5) other emergency services that are intended to restore the victim's sense of security. This includes services which offer an immediate measure of safety to crime victims such as boarding-up broken windows and replacing or repairing locks.
Also considered an allowable victim assistance service under VOCA federal guidelines and CJCC guidelines is:
(6) emergency legal assistance such as filing restraining orders and obtaining emergency custody/visitation rights when such actions are directly connected to family violence cases and are taken to ensure the health and safety of the victim.
Mental Health Assistance. Those services and activities that assist the primary and secondary victims of crime in understanding the dynamics of victimization and in stabilizing their lives after a victimization such as counseling, group treatment, and therapy. "Therapy" refers to intensive professional psychological/psychiatric treatment for individuals, couples, and family members related to counseling to provide emotional support in crises arising from the occurrence of crime. This includes the evaluation of mental health needs, as well as the actual delivery of psychotherapy.

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Assistance with Participation in Criminal Justice Proceedings. In addition to the cost of emergency legal services noted above in section a. "Immediate Health and Safety", there are other costs associated with helping victims participate in the criminal justice system that also are allowable. These services may include advocacy on behalf of crime victims; accompaniment to criminal justice offices and court; transportation to court; child care or respite care to enable a victim to attend court; notification of victims regarding trial dates, case disposition information, and parole consideration procedures; and assistance with victim impact statements. Most, but not all, of the victim assistance services listed under A above fall into this category as designated by VOCA.
Special Services. Services to assist crime victims with managing practical problems created by the victimization such as acting on behalf of the victim with other service providers, creditors, or employers; assisting the victim to recover property that is retained as evidence; assisting in filing for compensation benefits; and helping to apply for public assistance.

VII. Reporting Requirements & Deadlines
A. County Governing Authorities
As described above in Section IV, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council's revised Administrative Rules (144-6-.02 Procedures) now state the following regarding counties' responsibility to report:
(a) Local Victim Assistance Add-On Fine Collection, Distribution, and Reporting
11. Semiannually, the county must submit to the CJCC a financial report detailing the recipients that received funding and the amounts disbursed to each recipient. If the county does not have a certified program and the funds have been disbursed directly to the district attorney, then the county must so notify the CJCC. Such reports are due January 31st and July 31st for the reporting periods ending December 31st and June 30th, respectively.
Counties are not released from their obligation to submit a financial report to CJCC detailing the funds collected and distributed under item 7 above, even if the court officer distributes said funds directly to the district attorney.
Counties are encouraged to use the Excel Spreadsheet developed for their use in reporting funds collected and distributed that is available on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council's website. These reports, when completed, can be emailed to the following address:
Or can be submitted in writing to:
Or can be sent by fax to: Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, 404-657-1957.

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B. Victim Assistance Programs
In order to simplify reporting procedures for victim assistance programs, the VOCA quarterly/annual format has been adapted for use as the annual report to CJCC of services provided and victims served. A Section I-B has been added requesting information, by county and by funded program, of the amount of 5% funds received. Since agencies may offer multiple programs and different counties may fund different programs run by the same agency, this form requires agencies to report funds received by program and by county. If no differentiation is made among programs, fill out the first column of this form only. Also, the final section of the VOCA Annual Report has been deleted.
However, agencies should remember that the reporting period for the Agency Annual 5% Funds Report is different from the VOCA Annual Report; the 5% reporting period is the calendar year preceding (January 1 through December 31), while the VOCA Annual Report is October 1 through September 30.
VIII. Forms County Information Notification Form (Attached) County 5% Funds Collection & Distribution Semi-Annual Reporting Form (Available electronically on the CJCC website electronically).
Agency Application for Certification (Attached) Agency 5% Funds Reporting Form (Available electronically on the CJCC website)

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County Local Victim Assistance Add-On Fine Collection, Distribution, and Reporting County Information Form

Name of County: County Web Address:

Name of Chair, County Commission:

Address for County Commission: Telephone Number: Fax:

Email:

Name of County Clerk: Address for County Clerk: Telephone Number: Fax:

Email:

Name of County Manager/County Fiscal Officer:

Address for County Manage/County Fiscal Officer:

Telephone Number:

Fax:

Email:

Name of District Attorney: Address for District Attorney: Telephone Number: Fax:

Email:

Who is responsible for reporting the collection and distribution of Local Victim Add-On Fines to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council?

Name: Position: Address: Telephone Number: Fax:

Email:

Please answer the following questions as completely as possible.

1. At the present time, which of the following county officials participate in the decisionmaking process to allocate Local Victim Assistance Add-On Fine monies (5% Funds)?

County Commissioners

County Manager/Fiscal Officer

County Clerk



County Attorney



District Attorney



Other County Officials



Municipal Officials

Others (List Titles Only): ____________________________________________________

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2. At the present time, is there a separate hearing or meeting to deliberate and decide the

allocation of Local Victim Assistance Add-On Fine monies (5% Funds)?

Yes [Go to Question 3]

No [Go to Question 5]

3. If yes, how often is this hearing or meeting scheduled? ___________________________

4. If yes, is this meeting open to the public? Yes

No

5. At the present time, do you require agencies requesting 5% Funds to submit a formal

application?

Yes

No

[If yes, please attach a copy of the application form agencies are required to submit.]

6. In addition to CJCC Certification, do you use other criteria to decide to whom you

distribute Local Victim Assistance Add-On Fine monies (5% Funds)?

Yes [Go to Question 7]

No [Go to Question 8]

7. If yes, what are these other criteria? (Please describe)

8. Does your county currently allocate the 5% funds collected to more than one agency?

Yes [Go to Question 9]

No [Go to Question 10]

9. If your county allocates 5% funds to more than one agency, how does the county decide what proportion of the funds each agency will receive? (Please describe)

10. Have you ever denied an agency's request for 5% Funds?

Yes [Go to Question 11]

No [Go to Question 12]

11. If yes, why did you deny the request (s)? (Please describe)

12. What agencies currently receive 5% funds from your county? (Please list)

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Victim Assistance Program Application for Certification To Receive Local Add-On Fines (5% Funds)

I. Organizational Information

1. Legal Name of Organization: ________________________________________________________

2. Name of Division, Unit, or Program Delivering Services to Victims of Crime (if different than No. 1 above): __________________________________________________________________________

3. Mailing Address: __________________________________________________________________

4. Telephone Number: _______________ 5. Fax Number: _______________

6. Email: __________________________ 7.Website Address (if available): _____________________

8. Other names used to refer to your agency, units of your agency, or programs of agency (DBAs): _________________________________________________________________________________

9. County where agency's main office is located: ___________________________________________

10. Judicial Circuit where agency's main office is located: ____________________________________

11. Type of Agency (check the appropriate boxes)

Criminal Justice Government Law Enforcement Prosecution District Attorney/Solicitor Court Other (Please explain) _________________________________________

Non-Criminal Justice Government o Social Services o Mental Health o Public Health o Public Housing o Hospital o Other (Please explain) _________________________________________

Non-Profit Non Governmental o Hospital o Rape Crisis/Sexual Assault Center o DV Shelter/Services o Child Advocacy Center o Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) o Mental Health/Counseling Agency o Other (Please explain) _________________________________________

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II. Organization Contacts Please provide contact information on the following individuals. This will assist the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council in providing your agency with updates regarding requirements for certification. Name of Agency Director/Executive Director: ____________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: __________________________ Fax: __________________________________ Email: ____________________________________ Name of Victim Assistance Program Coordinator: _________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: _________________________ Fax: ___________________________________ Email: ____________________________________ If the Person Responsible for Completing the Victim Assistance Agency Annual Report is different from those listed above: Name of Person Completing Annual Report: _______________________________________________ Position Title: _______________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: ___________________________ Fax: ___________________________________ Email: ______________________________________

III. Certification of Assistance Filing Victims' Compensation Claims:
I affirm that our agency, ___________________________________, regularly provides victims of crime with information about the State of Georgia Crime Victim Compensation Program. We provide assistance to victims in filing compensation claims as appropriate.
Agency Director: _______________________________ Date: __________________________ (Print Name)
_______________________________ (Signature)

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IV. Coordination of Services with Other Agencies
12. For each county in your service area for which you would like to be certified to receive funding from Local Victim Assistance Add-On Fines (5% Funds), please provide the following information (use additional sheets of paper as needed):
(a) Name of County (1): _________________________________________________________
(b) Name of Judicial Circuit: ______________________________________________________
(c) Name (s) of Any Victim, Crime, or Social Service Task Force/Coalition in that county to which your agency belongs: ___________________________________________________________________________
(d) Names of Other Agencies/Organizations in that county with whom your agency has a current memorandum of understanding (MOU): ___________________________________________________________________________
(e) Total number of victims from this county served by your agency during the previous year: __________________________________________________________________________
or, if not yet certified as a victim assistance program in this county:
(f) Estimated total number of victims from this county that your agency could serve in a year: ___________________________________________________________________________
(g) Name of County (2): _________________________________________________________
(h) Name of Judicial Circuit: ______________________________________________________
(i) Name (s) of Any Victim, Crime, or Social Service Task Force/Coalition in that county to which your agency belongs: ___________________________________________________________________________
(j) Names of Other Agencies/Organizations in that county with whom your agency has a current memorandum of understanding (MOU): ___________________________________________________________________________
(k) Total number of victims from this county served by your agency during the previous year: __________________________________________________________________________
or, if not yet certified as a victim assistance program in this county:
(l) Estimated total number of victims from this county that your agency could serve in a year: ___________________________________________________________________________

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V. Staff with Professional Certification or Licensure

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council's revised Administrative Rules regarding certification of agencies for eligibility to receive 5% funds now includes the following requirement:

"The agency has on staff a licensed professional in social work, psychology, or related field, or a graduate of the Georgia Victim Assistance Academy, the National Victim Assistance Academy, or other program that certifies persons providing assistance to victims."

Victim Assistance Programs also can meet this requirement by completing the Victim Assistance Training (VAT) Online, a Web-based training program funded by the Office for Victims of Crime at the Department of Justice. This training provides 40 hours of training on the basic skills needed to assist victims of crime effectively and sensitively. VAT Online is free.

Victim Assistance Programs also can meet this requirement if any member of their staff can show evidence of completion of an equivalent professional licensure or certification. An equivalent professional licensure or certification is one that is provided after the completion of at least 40 hours of training; that the professional association, educational institution, or other licensing body is accredited by the State of Georgia or nationally; and that the content of the training required for certification is related to the knowledge and skills needed to provide services to victims of crime. Acceptable certifications and licenses include, but are not limited to, those provided to nurses, addiction counselors or specialists, and paralegals. These credentials will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by CJCC staff in accordance with the language of O.C.G.A. 15-21-132 (e) "...It is the intention of the General Assembly that certification shall be liberally granted so as to encourage local innovations in the development of victim assistance programs."

Agencies that cannot meet this requirement at present will be given provisional certification, provided they make a good faith effort to get at least one member of their staff licensed or certified within the next twelve months.

13. Name of Staff Member: _____________________________________________________________

14. Position: _________________________ Full-time Part-time Years Employed: _____

15. Primary Responsibilities: ____________________________________________________________

Please complete the appropriate section below that describes the appropriate credential possessed by this staff member.

16a. Graduate of: National Victim Assistance Academy

Date:_________________________

Georgia Victim Assistance Academy

Date: _________________________

VAT Online

Date: _________________________

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16b. Professional License:

Type: ______________________________

License Number: ___________________________

Date Issued: ________________________

Date Expires/Renewal: _______________________

Name of Licensing Board: _____________________________________________________________

Address of Licensing Board: ____________________________________________________________

16c. Other Certification:

Type: _____________________________

Date Issued: ________________________

Date Expires/Renewal: _______________________

Name of Credentialing Organization: _____________________________________________________

Address of Credentialing Organization: ___________________________________________________

Brief Description of Requirements for Certification: _________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Please attach a photocopy of the certificate of completion, Diploma, or the professional license to this application.

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VI. Services Provided to Victims of Crime:
Identify the type of victims your agency serves by checking the type of crime (s) committed against them:
Child Physical Abuse Child Sexual Abuse Domestic Violence Adult Sexual Assault Adults Molested/Abused as Children Survivors of Victims of Homicide or Suicide Elder Abuse Identity Theft Other Financial Crime Robbery Assault, Battery Other Violent Crime (Please explain):___________________________________ Other Non-Violent Crime (Please explain):_______________________________

17. Check below all of the victim assistance services your agency provides to victims of crime:
Crisis Counseling Follow-Up Contact Therapy Group Treatment Shelter/Safe House Information & Referral (In-Person) Criminal Justice Support/Advocacy Emergency Financial Assistance Emergency Legal Advocacy Assistance in Filing Compensation Personal Advocacy Information & Referral (Telephone Contact) Other (Please explain):

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