The Victim's Assistance & Law Enforcement (VALE) Board for the Fourth Judicial District announces the availability of local funding on an annual basis. Each year the DVERT program submits a proposal to this organization. The local VALE fund has been created specifically for the purpose of supporting and assisting victims and witnesses of crime. The grant program works under the authority of CRS 24-4.2-101. Specifically, DVERT submits an annual proposal as a law enforcement entity and as such has the ability to apply for funds that directly relate to the implementation of rights afforded to victims of crime.
The Fourth Judicial District VALE Board has provided financial support to the DVERT program since 1998. From that time, to the preset, VALE has granted annual funding to DVERT for various projects, equipment, and most recently, operating expenses that directly relate to victim services. The following is an outline of the various VALE funded projects and expenditures:
Bulletproof Vests
Bulletproof vests were purchased to be used by both DVERT staff and
high-risk domestic violence victims. DVERT staff is faced with unforeseen danger on each home visit
that they attempt. Most often DVERT teams are entering into a residence with a limited amount of
information. Although all team members come together and share the available resources, there is
always the need to err on the side of caution and safety. As a result, all DVERT team members are required to wear
bulletproof vests on initial home visits with DVERT victims. Additionally, DVERT have worn the bulletproof vests before
and after court appearances in extremely high-risk cases.
911 Cellular Phones
Victims of domestic violence are often kept isolated and segregated from friends
and family. Victims do not always have a means of contacting someone who can effectively assist
them in leaving a situation. Through funding provided by the VALE Board, DVERT offers a 911 cellular phone
program for high-risk victims of domestic violence. Victims have the option of checking out a 911 cellular phone from
their DVERT advocate. This phone is provided to the victim at no expense and can be
used to contact 911 in the case of an emergency. Training is completed with the victim prior to cellular phone
checkout.
Micro-Cassette Recorders
Micro-cassette recorders are available at the DVERT office for check out by high-risk
domestic violence victims. Numerous victims who have participated in the DVERT model report stalking and
restraining order violations. Micro-cassette recorders are used by victims to document threatening phone calls,
restraining order violations, and repeat contacts in stalking cases. Victims are given instruction on how to use the micro-cassette
recorders to document evidence in these cases.
Victim Notification Pagers
Situations exist within the DVERT caseload that includes victims who are awaiting
notification of an offender’s release from custody. In many circumstances the uncertainty of knowing an offender’s
release date and time can be more traumatic than the abusive experience
alone. In addition, there is often a need to contact victims during the course of a criminal
trial. DVERT Advocates can “check out” pagers to victims who are in
need of immediate contact in the case of a trial and also for those who
are awaiting the release of a dangerous offender. In either situation it is of up-most importance that the victim
be notified of all current situations immediately.
Panic Alarms
Panic Alarms were purchased, and maintained, with VALE Board funds. Panic Alarms are available for check out by high-risk victims of
domestic violence. These panic alarm systems are especially useful in areas outside of cellular
phone range. As a result of the many rural regions surrounding the
Colorado Springs metropolitan area, 911 cellular phones are often not an
option for victims. In such circumstances, victims are provided with
panic alarms that, when activated, contact law enforcement immediately
and then DVERT. This device provides immediate contact between a high-risk
victim and emergency services.
Law Enforcement Radios
In order to best serve DVERT's high-risk domestic violence victims, law
enforcement radios were purchased for use by all DVERT team members. In order to operate effectively as a team, DVERT staff must have
the ability to communicate at all times with each other and law
enforcement dispatch. All DVERT operations staff are required to carry a law
enforcement radio and monitor the appropriate channel while working
"in the field".
DVERT Safety Champion Coloring Book
The DVERT Safety Champion Coloring and Activity Book is currently in distribution
across the country, and the world. The coloring book was designed, illustrated and produced with the
assistance of numerous DVERT staff members and volunteers. It is intended to be a teaching tool to assist children in discovering
their own personality as pertains to family violence. The coloring book is distributed to children through local
community agencies as well as by law enforcement officers who respond to
domestic violence calls for service.
DVERT Operating Expenses
Recently DVERT VAWO funding was reduced to cover personnel benefits and salaries
exclusively. As a result of this shift in funding, DVERT requested funds from the VALE board to
cover the expenses associated with the administration of several
operating expenses to include telephone fees and associated costs (i.e.
long distance, mobile lines, landlines, etc.) and copy machine leasing. This grant award is intended to "bridge the gap" between
grant funding and the ability of partner agencies to pick up financial
aspects of the program.
