Rights and Services Act (RASA) and Victims of Juvenile Offenders (VOJO) Funding
What is RASA/VOJO Funding?
Rights and Services Act (RASA) and Victims of Juvenile Offenders (VOJO) funding provides funds to support the carrying out of responsibilities assigned to Prosecution and Juvenile Probation under the Crime Victims Act (CVA), the Juvenile Act and Pennsylvania's Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure. The goal of RASA and VOJO funding is to ensure that victims of crimes whose cases are processed within the criminal and juvenile justice systems, receive all the rights and services to which they are entitled under law. Funding has been allocated to counties since 1986 to provide procedural services at no cost to victims of adult and juvenile offenders.
The source of funds for RASA is the Victim/Witness Fund which is comprised of a $25 penalty assessment on convicted/diverted offenders, VOJO is funded by an Annual State Appropriation.
Note: RASA funding may be used to provide procedural services to victims of adult and juvenile offenders. VOJO funding may only be used to provide services to victims of juvenile offenders
How is RASA/VOJO funding used?
RASA/VOJO funding is used primarily to support the salaries and benefits of individuals providing victims of adult and juvenile offenders with victim rights notification and procedural services such as early outreach, courtroom orientation and accompaniment, assistance with compensation claims, case status information and assistance with victim impact statements.
What programs are eligible to receive RASA/VOJO funding?
The agencies may vary and can include prosecutors' offices, juvenile probation offices, community-based victim service programs, or any combination of the three.
Funding for RASA is recommended by the District Attorney to the Victims' Services Advisory Committee (VSAC). VSAC will then develop final recommendations for consideration by the Commission for final approval. Funding for VOJO is recommended by the District Attorney in consultation with the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer to the Victims' Services Advisory Committee (VSAC). VSAC will then develop final recommendations for consideration by the Commission for final approval.
What specific services does RASA/VOJO funding support?
Accompaniment (Criminal Cases/Juvenile Cases) - The Victims' Services Program shall provide accompaniment during court-related activities and hearings. Accompaniment is the in-person support provided to a victim.
Pre-Disposition Notifications (Juvenile Cases) - The Victims' Services Program shall ensure that victims receive, in formats accessible to them, all notifications and services available to them throughout all appropriate pre-disposition proceedings in the juvenile justice system. Examples of pre-disposition notifications include information on available victim services; Allegation Filed; Informal Adjustment; Juvenile Petition Filed; Consent Decree; and if Adjudication Hearing Date is Set.
Post-Disposition Notifications (Juvenile Cases) - The Victims' Services Program shall ensure that victims receive, in formats accessible to them, all notifications and services available to them throughout all appropriate post-disposition proceedings in the juvenile justice system. Examples of post-disposition notifications include Dispositional Hearing; Dispositional Outcome; Transfer to Another County; Transfer to Adult System; Commitment Review; Dispositional Review; Probation Revocation Hearing; Dispositional Review Hearing; Detention Hearing; Home Passes; Release from Placement; Termination of Probation; Escape from Detention Facility and Re-Apprehension.
Pre-Sentencing Notifications (Criminal Cases) - The Victims' Services Program shall ensure that victims receive, in formats accessible to them, all notifications and services available to them throughout all appropriate pre-sentencing proceedings in the criminal justice system. Examples of pre-sentencing notifications include information on available victim service; court hearing; and trial.
Post-Sentencing Notifications (Criminal Cases) - The Victims' Services Program shall ensure that victims receive, in formats accessible to them, all notifications and services available to them throughout all appropriate post-sentencing proceedings in the criminal justice system. Examples of post-sentencing notifications include: County Release State Correctional Release including Information on PA SAVIN and the Office of the Victim Advocate (OVA); and Victims as Witnesses to Execution.
Prior Comment (Criminal Cases/Juvenile Cases) – The Victims' Services Program shall assist victims on how to provide prior comment on all adult and/or juvenile criminal matters concerning, but not limited to, the potential reduction or dropping of a charge, plea agreements, or case diversions including referrals to restorative practices, specialty courts, Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD), informal adjustment, or consent decree.
Property Return (Criminal Cases/Juvenile Cases) - The Victims' Services Program shall inform, advocate and coordinate the expeditious return of property, used as evidence, to the victim.
Restitution (Criminal Cases/Juvenile Cases) - The Victims' Service Program shall inform and advocate, on behalf of victims, regarding their right to restitution under Pennsylvania law and advocate on behalf of the victim(s) for the necessity and collection of restitution.
Victims Compensation Assistance (Criminal Cases/Juvenile Cases) - The Victims' Service Program shall provide information to the victim about Victims Compensation Assistance and assist, directly or indirectly, in the preparation, filing and follow-up of any claim for Victims Compensation Assistance.
Victim Impact Statement (Criminal Cases/Juvenile Cases) – Prior to sentencing, the Victims' Services Program shall provide assistance to victims regarding their right to offer a written and/or oral victim impact statement.
Victims' Rights Notification (Criminal Cases/Juvenile Cases) - The Victims' Services Program shall provide victims with timely information of their rights under the Crime Victims Act, and other relevant victims' rights laws (including rights automatically granted under the law and those related to victim requests for services).
The delivery of eligible RASA/VOJO program services is guided by the requirements outlined in the Consolidated Victim Service Program Standards.