Victim Assistance Program Inc.

“Form 990 is first reviewed and approved by the finance committee and then submitted to the full board for review and approval prior to filing.”

“The organization's conflict of interest policy is incorporated into the organization's by-laws. All board members are provided with a copy of the by-laws. All new members are required to sign the conflict of interest statement upon joining the board. Annual updates are required by all board members which are used to monitor and enforce compliance. In addition, staff and the board take an active role throughout the year monitoring for potential conflicts of interest.”

“The executive director is evaluated annually and compensation is determined using appropriate salary surveys and other information.”

“Victim assistance program strives to be financially transparent. Financial documents will be provided to individuals upon request and or they may be viewed at www.guidestar.org.”

“Summit county law enforcement agency. After the officer concludes their investigation, our advocates offer crisis intervention, education and advocacy to the victim and their loved ones. Depending on the outcome of the investigation and whether criminal charges are filed, victim assistance advocates guide victims through the criminal justice system. In addition to crime scene and court support, advocates provide ongoing case management by referring victims to agencies that can assist with basic needs. Common referrals include local shelters and food pantries, organizations that provide free legal assistance for civil proceedings such as civil protection orders, divorce, or child custody cases, as well as our on-site trauma therapist for ongoing counseling support. All of our services are provided to victims free of charge. Victim assistance advocates are strategically placed throughout summit county. They are stationed in the akron police department, summit county clerk of courts, akron municipal court, barberton municipal court, stow municipal court and at our main office. Trained advocates not only provide support, advocacy and education, they also assist victims with protection order paperwork and victim compensation claim paperwork through the ohio attorney general's office. Finally, trauma therapy is provided to victims who request cognitive behavioral therapy. Therapy allows victims to create safety plans, develop self-initiated goals and to secure support systems. At the culmination of services, anonymous outcomes surveys provide us with the information to determine if we achieved the outcomes set forth at the beginning of the program year. Of the 11 objectives we measure, three of our most important outcomes for the year are as follows: 1) 98% of participants indicated that they had a better understanding of their rights as a victim of crime as a result of this program. 2) 98% of participants indicated that they had a better understanding of how the legal process/criminal justice/ immigration process works as a result of this program. 3) 97% of participants indicated that they knew more ways to plan for their safety as a result of this program.”

“As professional development has been identified as a core element of professional victim advocacy services, victim assistance program expanded their professional development program to the community. Victim assistance program is one of two entities, next to the ohio attorney general's office, in the state of ohio offering a training academy which has been certified as a prerequisite training for those interested in obtaining a comprehensive provisional credentialing status from the national advocate credentialing program. To ensure quality of care to their clients, all volunteers and staff who may encounter victims, are required to engage in this 40 hour summit victim assistance academy.”