The office of the attorney general (OAG submits this application for consideration under purpose area 1 and priority 1(a) of the of the building state technology capacity of the OVC FY 2022 building…

This $500,000 cooperative agreement from the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Victims of Crime will support the implementation of technology programs and initiatives by the Office of the Attorney General of Guam to enhance victim services. Funded under the Crime Victim Assistance/Discretionary Grants program (CFDA 16.582), key deliverables include the acquisition and use of a centralized case management system/database for the Victim Service Center; implementation of online submissions for criminal injury compensation applications; coordinated training through partnerships; a 24/7 teleservice/messaging platform for the Victim Service Center; mobile advocacy initiatives; and language access plan initiatives. The award period is from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2025.

The office of the attorney general (OAG submits this application for consideration under purpose area 1 and priority 1(a) of the of the building state technology capacity of the OVC FY 2022 building state technology solicitation authorized by 34 U.S.C. § 20103(C)(1)(a. The goal of the project is to implement statewide technology programs and initiatives to enhance victims' access to services, foster innovation and efficiency in the provision of services, improve the quality of services, and improve accessibility and responsiveness of the OAG and other victim service organizations in guam. The primary activities of the proposed project include: acquisition and implementation of a centralized case management system/database for the victim service center (VSC); implementation of web-services for online submissions of criminal injuries compensation program (CICP) applications; implementation of coordinated training through partnerships; implementation of a 24/7 teleservice and/or messaging platform for VSC; implementation of mobile advocacy initiative; implementation of language access plan initiatives; implementation of OAG initiatives to expand its technology capacity for victim services in remote locations. The proposed project outcome will consist of the following: centralization of data and streamlining and automation of processes; improved victim and criminal justice response time; decreased claim-processing time for CICP applicants; increased access for underserved communities; interpretation of data in real-time to make time sensitive decisions; enhanced situational awareness and victim response capabilities; decreased rates of victim reluctance and/or fear to participate in the criminal justice process. The OAG is requesting priority consideration under priority 1(a) in support of executive order 13985. Guam's population is largely comprised of asian-pacific islanders, making up 83% of the current population of 169,086 with the largest ethnic group as 49% pacific islanders, followed by 34% asians, 9% mixed, and 1% black, hispanic and other ethnic origin or race. According to the 2010 census, 20% of the population on guam is limited english proficient (LEP); 145 individuals are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH); 13% of guam's population is identified as elderly; and 8% of the population lives with a disability. Guam's current unemployment rate is at 16.5% and nearly 1/3RD of guam's population participates in the supplemental nutrition assistance program. This proposal seeks to target those most vulnerable to victimization in guam and the pacific region and increase access to those who are LEP/DHH, elderly, disabled, and/or persons with lower socio-economic status.