September 2025

In this issue:

• What VOCA Funding Cuts Mean For Kids
• Individuals, Families, Groups -- so many ways to help
• Learn about becoming a CASA volunteer
• Community partners spotlight
• Online Grandfamilies Support Group resources available

What VOCA Funding Cuts Mean For Kids: A Hard Look Ahead

You may have noticed a series of articles about how VOCA funding cuts are affecting crime victims, or a recent article about new federal restrictions on the use of VOCA funds.   You may have wondered how this affects KIDS MATTER and what it means for the kids we serve.

First, what is VOCA?

VOCA stands for the Victims of Crime Act, a federal program that provides essential funding for services to crime victims – including child abuse and child sexual abuse survivors, child homicide survivors, and more.  VOCA funding is special as it does NOT come from tax dollars. VOCA funds come from criminal fines and penalties paid by offenders into the Crime Victims Fund. Money from the Crime Victims Fund is distributed by the U.S. Department of Justice to states like Wisconsin, which then awards grants to organizations like KIDS MATTER. 

Why were VOCA funds cut? 

The Crime Victims Fund has been drying up nationally. There has been a major decline in federal prosecutions and large legal settlements. This means that fewer dollars are being collected. VOCA funding dropped between 50-70% nationally since 2018.

Congress tried to address the problem by passing the VOCA Fix Act in 2021, requiring more types of legal settlements to contribute to the fund. It is a step in the right direction, but it will take time to stabilize the fund.

What is happening in Wisconsin? 

There have been significant impacts in Wisconsin. VOCA funding across the state dropped from $44 million to $13 million annually.   The Wisconsin Department of Justice asked the state legislature for $68 million to fill the gap over two years. The recent Wisconsin state budget provided $20 million for victim services in the first year only – and $0 for year two of the biennial state budget. This is a temporary patch on a long-term problem.

What does this mean for KIDS MATTER?

KIDS MATTER has relied on VOCA funding since 2001. For the most recent 7 years, we received about $670,000 annually to support services for child victims. Over that time, we pioneered new services for children who lost a parent or caregiver to homicide, developed the Child Trauma Project, grew to serve children in many more counties, and help children thrive in foster care with CASA. We are now receiving $250,000 per year – the maximum any victim services program can receive. That is a 63% funding cut.



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Supporting Foster and Kinship Children

Wondering how you can best support KIDS MATTER and the youth we serve?

Nicole brightened our kids’ days with her donation of adorable Squishmallows, fun games and toys. Marlo’s thoughtful donation of basketball shoes, backpacks, and school essentials is setting our kids up for a confident and joyful start to the school year. Serena and the team at Morgan Stanley shared book bags, teddy bears, hygiene kits, and more which will be used to create Fostering Hope Bags for children in foster and kinship care.

Because of these amazing partners, our kids and their caregivers now have greater access to the resources and support they need to thrive! We are so grateful for our amazing friends, who are always making sure that our kids have what they need and make a real and immediate difference in our kids’ lives!

CASA Fall 2025 Training Cycle

Community Partner Shootouts

It takes a village to provide support for foster and kinship youth, and we couldn't do it without our local and national partners. You make so much possible!

Thank you so much to everyone who cares about and helps our kids.

Starbucks on Sura Ln, Greenfield

Get Connected

Are you raising someone else's child and looking for more support? Sign up to receive a monthly newsletter that is tailored just for you, or join our Wisconsin Grandfamilies Matter group on Facebook.

Be sure to follow us on social media for regular updates and helpful information!