Decreasing funding for crime victims could impact Whatcom County’s child and youth services

The Brigid Collins Family Support Center has had to reduce staff over the past five years as federal and state funding for its services has declined by more than $415,000. Employees say the cuts will impact services that help traumatized children in Northwest Washington.

“These cuts have had a devastating impact on the services child welfare agencies receive and have resulted in fewer victim advocates, mental health services, long-term care management, emergency financial assistance and forensic interviewers,” said Melissa Pickel, director of operations.

At Brigid Collins, children who have suffered severe trauma due to sexual or domestic abuse can find help through therapy and victim services. The center serves as a one-stop shop for healing and justice for children and their families in Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties.

Now Brigid Collins and other domestic violence organizations in Whatcom County and the state are bracing for more budget shortfalls if state lawmakers are unable to fill a funding backstop for the state’s 52,000 crime victims annually.

Funds administered by the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) flow across the country from a pot of money made up of federal government fines, penalties, forfeited bail and special assessments.

Washington state receives a portion of federal money each year, but since 2018, VOCA funding has been declining. The state received $17.8 million in fiscal year 2024, the lowest amount since 2014. Those funds were then distributed among the hundreds of shelters, victim support services and advocacy centers in the state.

Because of fluctuations in federal dollars, the state has provided additional funding for victim services over the past four years. But next June, the Washington State Department of Commerce expects a 51% decline in VOCA state plan funds when the additional funding is exhausted.

Reasons for funding reductions can range from the failure to collect court fines and fees to the fact that the court system is still recovering from delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The risk of declining funding has victims’ advocacy groups urging state lawmakers to find a solution when they return to Olympia in January for the 2025 legislative session.

In Whatcom County, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Service (DVSAS) receives 60 to 70 percent of its funding from VOCA funds, said Marjie George, director of development for DVSAS.

While George said the additional funding the state has passed in recent years has done a great job of stabilizing funding, providers are still facing budget questions this fall.

“We’re approaching it like, ‘Oh God, are we going to have to make difficult decisions next spring when we find out if additional funding has been allocated, or are we going to be able to provide services to our communities in this way?'” We were.” ” she said. “It can be scary, it can be worrisome.”

DVSAS and Lummi Victims of Crime offer accommodation for people experiencing domestic violence. These shelters and the 24-hour hotline are funded in part by state VOCA funds.

Rosalee Revey-Jacobs, a member of the Lummi Indian Business Council, which supports LVOC, said the tribe is experiencing a “perfect storm” because of a rise in domestic violence and mental illness cases in the wake of the pandemic and a rebound in casino revenue gain weight.

Although there have been no cuts to services as an LVOC, “we expect to have a lot of different conversations about our budget next year, 2025,” she said. “Here at Lummi, 85% of our budgets come from federal funds.”

LVOC also receives government funding. About 10.5% of VOCA state plan funding goes to tribes across Washington.

During a Sept. 19 hearing of the Washington State Senate Law and Justice Committee, lawmakers learned how Maryland had set up a fluctuating amount of state money to make up VOCA shortfalls so that victim programs would continue to be funded. This is a solution that Washington lawmakers could propose before the 2025 legislative session.

But without a financing solution, rural and tribal communities could be at risk without stable VOCA funding. Nan Stoops, an attorney with the Washington Coalition Against Domestic Violence, told senators during the hearing that she expects a wave of closures of shelters and programs for survivors in 2026.

Brigid Collins could have her services cut by up to $230,000. This means children and their families may have to wait longer for therapy and case management services.

LVOC could lose 17 of 20 employees, Revey-Jacobs said.

“I’m frustrated because I feel like the most vulnerable population is being hit first, and I feel very protected,” she said. “I want my community members who are in difficult situations to receive the services they need.”

But even in the face of uncertain funding prospects, service providers remain committed to supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

“As long as intimate partner violence, sexual assault and sexual exploitation exist in our community, we will remain dedicated to supporting survivors through safe, well-staffed and diverse programs,” said Devin Connolly, interim executive director of DVSAS.

Annie Todd is a CDN criminal justice and corporate reporter. reach her at [email protected]; 360-922-3090 ext 130.