Revised OVS Consolidated Program Standards

On August 12, 2025, the Victim Services Advisory Committee approved updates to the PCCD Consolidated Victims Service Standards. The updates affect the following Standards:

Accompaniment

• Program staff providing accompaniment shall be able to explain the purpose of the proceeding and clarify the victim's role in the proceeding.
• The VSP shall ensure staff is knowledgeable of all criminal or juvenile proceedings by having regular contact with the courts. This also allows the VSP to have advanced knowledge of scheduled hearings.
• The VSP shall develop criteria for prioritizing cases and to avoid duplicative efforts. When in-person support is not possible, the VSP shall provide another resource for accompaniment.

Prior Comment

• Program staff shall attempt to work collaboratively with the District Attorney and the Juvenile Probation Office to receive timely information and provide it to victims. VSPs shall advocate for the victim to be able to give prior comment.

Property Return

• If the evidence on the victim's digital device(s) can be downloaded, advocate for prompt return of those devices. If it is determined the device(s) cannot be returned, advocate for return of the victim's personal files on those devices.
• In cases where evidence can't be returned, VSPs shall work with law enforcement and/or the prosecution to help the victim understand why, when, or if they may expect a return.

Relocation

• A victim's participation in relocation must be voluntary. Relocation that is court-ordered is not eligible for VOCA funding and must be provided by the appropriate county office independently.
• VSPs must work with the victim to assess all relocation needs, and where an immediate need for relocation is expressed, the VSP shall complete an application, intake, and risk assessment with the victim.
• VSPs shall obtain written consent from the victim before contacting any vendors.
• VSPs that utilize funding through the Attorney General's Office, PCADV, and VCAP for relocation services must follow the respective requirements of those funding streams. VOCA funds remain the payor of last resort.

Restitution

• VSPs are responsible to provide information on restitution services and to advocate for payment in full to the victim.
• VSPs shall provide information to the victim on options for pursuing civil remedies against the offenders(s).
• VSPs shall inform the victim of reimbursement responsibilities to the VCAP where restitution has been paid and where a claim was paid directly to the victim.

Transitional Housing



• VSPs the provide Transitional housing shall utilize scattered site, clustered site, or communal living models.
• Written policies shall include the details of eligibility, scope, and length of services to include early termination, rental agreements, security, liability, safety plan consideration, tenant rights and responsibilities, and emergency protocols.
• VSPs must adhere to PCCD's Applicants Manual for reporting and reconciling any program income generated from transitional housing that could impact VOCA awards. VSPs are encouraged to reach out to the PCCD Fiscal Contact for questions or concerns regarding program income.

Victim Impact Statements

• VSPs shall provide written guidance to inform and assist the victim in completing an impact statement.
• VSPs shall assist the victim in the preparation of an oral or written statement upon request.

All VSPs who have OVS has their oversight entity and who provide these respective services will be required to have updated policies and procedures with these standards as of October 1, 2025.

The "Changes" page within the OVS Consolidated Standards details these updates with additional information.

Inquiries regarding these updates with additional information.

Inquiries regarding these updates may be directed to Heather Cureau, OVS Program Supervisor, by emailing hcureau@pa.gov or by calling (717) 265- 8712.

RASA/VOJO 2026 (Year 2 Project) Applications Are Due August 22!

One-year, continuation applications for the Rights and Services Act (RASA) and Victims of Juvenile Offenders (VOJO) 2025-2026 Non-Competitive Funding Announcement are now being accepted. The deadline to submit a continuation application in E-grants is Friday, August 22, 2025, at 11:59pm.  

Continuation applications are open only to subrecipients who currently have a 2025 Award via the RASA/VOJO 2025-2026 Non-Competitive Funding Announcement. OVS will contact each District Attorney for completion of the required 2026 funding recommendation forms. District Attorneys are asked to send a copy of the completed funding recommendation forms to the local victim services program(s) for completion of the application. Any changes to RASA and/or VOJO funding distribution for 2026 will be recommended by the District Attorney and considered for adoption by the Victims Services Advisory Committee (VSAC).

Please utilize the following resources for assistance with your application:  

• The E-grants Help Desk is available to assist with technical or system questions Monday through Friday until 4:00 PM and may be reached by calling (717) 787-5887 or (800) 692-7292, or by emailing RA-egrantsSupport@pa.gov.
• Questions concerning the completion of the continuation application outside of E-grants technical issues may be directed to the PCCD Program and/or Fiscal Contact assigned to the 2025 RASA/VOJO Grant.

• Additional grant application and administrative guides may be accessed on PCCD's website here.

Please Note: 2025 RASA and VOJO funds with the Year 1 project must be expended by December 31, 2025.

Consolidated Standards Training Video

Pennsylvania has long been considered a leader when it comes to the OVS Consolidated Standards, in their design to deliver quality services and programming led by skilled advocates and staff. 

To better inform the field, OVS has launched a series of recordings that walk program staff through each of the standards. These are short recordings, up to thirty (30) minutes in length. Each recording counts toward OVS annual training requirements. Staff may listen to any number of recordings as they are released. 

All videos can be found on PCCD's Consolidated Victim Service Program Standards webpage, with the latest video, Therapy Standard, now available.

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