Revised OVS Consolidated Program Standards
On November 13, 2025, the Victim Services Advisory Committee approved updates to the PCCD Consolidated Victims Service Standards.
The updates affect the following Standards:
Civil Legal Services Standard
The revised standard discusses the professional code of conduct requirements for attorneys and legal staff working within Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funded projects. This standard supports crime victims in the pursuit of legal protections relief, and other relevant court actions in direct response to the victimization.
Emergency Housing and Supervision Services for Elderly or Disabled Adults Standard
The standard is retitled to include supervision services for victims in need of emergent housing and professional care services. It reiterates the requirements of up to forty-five (45) days of nursing care, home care, adult foster care, or group home placement resulting from neglect, abuse, exploitation, and/or abandonment.
Forensic Interviews for Vulnerable Adults Standard
The revised standard discusses the requirements of trained forensic interviewers to obtain unbiased, fact-finding, and legally sound information from vulnerable adults. It reiterates the critical work of the multi-disciplinary team in reviewing findings and making recommendations for potential criminal charges and protective and supportive care of the victim and non-offending caregivers.
In-Home Care for Adults and Children
This standard discusses the requirements of up to forty-five (45) days of in-home care and supervision services where the perpetrator has been removed from the home and where the victim’s need for professional support services exceeds financial resources.
Language Accessibility
This standard reiterates minimum requirements consistent with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for crime victims with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). It discusses requirements to ensure victims receive no cost, timely, and meaningful language services to access the full scope of services provided by the victim services’ program (VSP).
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 January 1, 2026.
The "Changes" page within the OVS Consolidated Standards details 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.
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