Latest news with #CrimeVictimsCompensation
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas budget bill passes with crime victim compensation fix sparked by KXAN
AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas budget bill, following conference committee agreement, has passed the legislature and will soon head to Gov. Greg Abbott for consideration. Included in Senate Bill 1 is a fix to the performance reporting process of the state's Crime Victims' Compensation Program sparked by a KXAN investigation. EXPLORE: KXAN's Crime Victims' Compensation fund investigations In 2022, KXAN began reporting on the impact of delayed payments by the CVC program, which is run by the Office of Attorney General. Amid that investigation, KXAN found the OAG was reporting an inaccurate picture of its performance to state officials and lawmakers. KXAN discovered the office was using a flawed formula that mixed two different types of payments in its calculation: victim claims and sexual assault examination reimbursements, the latter of which take just days and are paid directly to hospitals. That method made it appear crime victims and their loved ones were paid much faster for items like funeral expenses and medical restitution, on average, than the months-long reality our team documented through victim interviews and related records. After KXAN's reporting, the OAG acknowledged to lawmakers that the measurements weren't accurate. The budget bill directs the measurements be split apart, and it provides a 90-day average goal for victims' first payments. The bill also indicates the OAG 'shall submit a report detailing the expenditure of funds' for victim assistance. That report – which is to be submitted within 100 calendar days after the close of each fiscal year to the Legislative Budget Board, governor, Senate Finance Committee and House Appropriations Committee – will include 'audit and oversight activities conducted' related to the grants, thus increasing transparency and accountability for victims under the program. SB 1 next heads to the State Comptroller for certification. The comptroller will confirm the spending bill does not exceed the amount of revenue available. After certification, the bill heads to the governor for approval. The governor does have the power to line-item veto specific appropriations in the bill. Once signed, the bill becomes law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hero's Haven Child Advocacy Center receives more than $100,000 donation
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — The Bridgeport Junior Woman's Club presented the Hero's Haven Child Advocacy Center with a check for $107,000, which was partially made up from the proceeds of the 2025 Be the Change Ball, according to Executive Director Patty Saunders. 'This money means a lot right now,' said Saunders. 'Of course, everyone knows that there's a funding crisis with everything, but our numbers keep growing.' Saunders told 12 News that this funding will help Hero's Haven grow its advocacy program to provide the services that it does to alleged child victims and their protected caregivers. She added that it will also help Hero's Haven start a therapy program, which will consist of an in-house therapist at the center. 'A lot of times, children come in our center and it's a safe place where they're able to tell their story and [lift] the weight off their shoulders, and they wanna come back,' Saunders added. 'It's a place where they can continue their healing and become survivors.' April is recognized each year as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, so it's particularly important this month for the Hero's Haven Child Advocacy Center to get the word out about its message: 'See Something, Say Something.' It also stressed the importance of raising community awareness of child abuse and the services that are out there. Hero's Haven is considered a specialized service, according to Saunders, because it's referred to by law enforcement and child protective services (CPS) to prevent children from having to go through multiple interviews. She added that their center has specially trained interviewers that conduct these interviews in a child-friendly setting 'to help reduce the trauma, the number of times they're interviewed and help increase prosecution.' Beeping egg hunt held in Bridgeport for visually-impaired children Saunders described the center's family advocates as 'the glue' that holds the team together, adding that they work with the protected caregivers and children for years. 'They're helping them provide medical services, mental health services, they help with [the West Virginia] Crime Victims Compensation fund and they also help go with them to court for jury trials or whatever they may need,' she added. Saunders said that the board, the team and the community helped Hero's Haven Child Advocacy Center get involved by spreading the message of what it's all about. Saunders added that they have members who are also involved with the Bridgeport Junior Woman's Club. Now that Hero's Haven has received this donation, it's already in the process of hiring more advocates. Saunders stated that it has also started expanding it's space, has begun looking at a space that can accommodate therapists. Once the organization finally brings a therapist on board, that will provide it with specialized training that follows their nationally accredited standards. 'This donation's important but we are a non-profit and we run on donations and grants,' Saunders added. Hero's Haven Child Advocacy Center is having fundraisers all throughout the month, in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. A portion of the proceeds made from Stone Tower Brews' current drink of the month (Creamsicle Matcha) will benefit the center, and they'll also be selling the organization's 'High-Five hands.' These hands will also be available at Stonewall Coffee, multiple West Union Bank locations, as well as Hometown Pizzeria. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
