Tunica-Biloxi Victim Services Program

OVC’s mission is to enhance the nation’s capacity to assist crime victims and provide leadership in changing policies and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime. OVC achieves this mission, in part, by administering award programs supported by the federal Crime Victims Fund (CVF) to develop innovative training and technical assistance, and to provide direct services to improve the overall quality of victim assistance.

The overall goal of the Fiscal Year 2019 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program is to provide support to tribal communities to improve services for victims of crime. Under the solicitation, OVC solicited applications for funding to support a comprehensive range of activities including needs assessment, strategic planning, program development and implementation, program expansion, and other activities needed to address the needs of a wide variety of crime victims in tribal communities.

Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana will use the funds from this award it has received under Purpose Area 1: Establishment of a New Victim Service Program to establish a crime victim services program by: hiring a .20 FTE Program Manager and a 1.0 FTE Coordinator/Case Manager to staff the program; completing a community needs assessment and strategic plan; developing a coordinated community response to domestic violence and other crimes by collaborating with key tribal and non-tribal stakeholders; purchasing a vehicle to transport victims; providing victims with assistance with housing, childcare, and utility expenses; and increasing victim access to mental health services including inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment.

(CA/NCF)