You can view a summary of the 2009 VOCA funding action taken in the House and Senate sub committees here.

The House version goes further than the Senate in restoring state VOCA assistance grants to the 2006 level. The House bill increases the VOCA cap to $650 million and provides a separate non-VOCA appropriation for all OJP management and administrative costs. By removing the OJP M&A costs, it is estimated that a cap of $660 million -- only $10 million more than the House version -- is needed to get state VOCA assistance grants back to the 2006 level.

On Friday, May 30th, members of the victims’ rights community and other friends gathered at the Rock Bottom Brewery to honor Doug Beloof. On June 1st Doug stepped down from his role as Executive Director of NCVLI, which he founded ten years ago and led it since its inception.

The event was a huge success, raising over $9,000 for NCVLI and giving party goers the chance to catch up personally and professionally. Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers; Steve Twist, President of Arizona Voice for Crime Victims; Meg Garvin, NCVLI’s new Executive Director; and NCVLI Board Chair, Sean Beers were just a few of the people who stood to speak about the difference Doug has made in their lives and in the lives of victims.

Steve Twist quoted a letter to Doug from Senator Jon Kyl, “While much remains to be done, and while you certainly will remain at the center of many of our efforts, your transition is a milestone in an already distinguished career. Allow me to express the thanks of a grateful nation for all you have done in the cause of justice.”

Doug has joined NCVLI’s Board of Directors, where he will be an active member. He will also continue to teach crime victim law at Lewis & Clark Law School. “You haven’t seen the last of me yet,” Doug told the crowd.

After a nationwide search, Meg Garvin has been selected as the NCVLI’s Executive Director. NCVLI’s Board of Directors promoted Ms. Garvin, formerly NCVLI’s Director of Programs, to replace Professor Doug Beloof. Professor Beloof, who founded NCVLI in 1998, will return to teaching full time at Lewis & Clark Law School and will become an active member of NCVLI’s Board of Directors.

Ms. Garvin’s new position was formally announced at NCVLI’s Law & Litigation Conference on May 30th. “In accepting this position I am aware of the magnitude of the work we do for victims. Today I make a commitment to each of you, to the victims you serve, and to victims everywhere, I will give 100% to this job and this work to ensure that we help victims with their path to becoming survivors. I want you to know that take this commitment very seriously; helping you serve victims means everything to me,” she said to a room of over a hundred attorneys, victim advocates, and members of the public.