COM 0140.002 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The clerical staff of the unit are responsible for providing clerical support to the counselors and the coordinator. In addition, the Senior Clerk -Stenographer makes travel arrangements for returning witnesses and program staff. The Unit is staffed by fifteen positions: five funded by the Federal Victims of Crime Act grant, six by the State Victim/Witness grant and four by the County. Present positions are as follows: County - Coordinator - Hilo Counselor I1 - Hilo Counselor II - Kona Counselor I - Hilo Federal - Counselor II — Hilo Counselor lI — Hilo (vacant) Clerk 11— Hilo Clerk 11- Kona Counselor I — Kona Counselor I — Hilo (previously State funded) Clerk III — Kona (previously State funded) Clerk -Stenographer — Hilo (previously State funded) State - Counselor Il - Kona Counselor II - Hilo Counselor 1 - Hilo (vacant) Sr. Clerk Steno - Hilo During the last six months of 2002, the unit provided services to 3,295 people. The office has developed a victim notification system where victims are now automatically notified when a case is referred to the office and when trial, change of pleas, and sentencings are scheduled. Over 4,397 notification letters were sent out in 2002. The Victim Assistance Unit is the only program that is available to ALL victims and witnesses of crime. The Unit's services directly benefit the people of Hawaii County. As a result of cuts to the State Victim Witness program and in an effort to maintain continuity of service, the Unit has had to transfer funding of several State position to the federal grant. This has impacted our ability to provide subgrants to direct service providers. Any further cuts to State or Federal funding will result in reduction of staff. It