Racine & Me: BeLEAF Loses One-Third of Budget After VOCA Funding Decrease

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- BeLEAF lost 2/3 of its Federal VOCA funding. This represented 1/3 of our entire budget. The effects of the reduced Federal VOCA funding have been substantial. To survive, BeLEAF has had to turn some full-time positions into part-time position. Our volunteer coordinator was merged with our Child & Family Advocate position. Both positions now have less hours available to them for their duties. One therapist position has been left unfilled due to lack of funds. Not just BeLEAF. Another agency in the Fox Valley area has left 6 positions unfilled. These are problems and decisions faced by agencies across the state and the nation. The State of Wisconsin is in the middle of its 2025/27 budget process. The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) very specifically acknowledged the shortfall in VOCA funding in its cover letter to the Governor when they submitted their budget request. The DOJ requested an additional $66 in its request to address this and provide Crime Victims Services. What people can do is to call and write the members of the Joint Finance Committee asking that the additional $66 million be left in the final budget that is created. After the process that created Victim Services Funding Act 2023 Wisconsin Act 241, state legislators are much more familiar with the need. They showed their support by passing it unanimously in both houses of the legislator. At the federal level, there is a bill called the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act (H.R. 909).

Call and write your Congressperson and ask them to either sign on or support this bill. It does not affect taxpayer dollars but instead moves money from silo of already accumulated funds into the Crime Victims Fund. Both silos are funded by successful prosecutions and money received from fines and penalties. The long-term concern is that their continued funding depends on there being Federal prosecutors available to prosecute the cases and win. A more generic call to action is to work to keep the relevant Federal Government Agencies staffed at a level that can achieve this.