About Victims of Crime Assistance
The LKLP VOCA program is funded by the Kentucky Justice Cabinet and is primarily a counseling program dealing directly with the psychological and emotional consequences suffered by victims of various crimes. Persons who are victims of Domestic Violence Crimes are by far the dominant population seeking VOCA services.
Secondary services offered by the VOCA program are Court Advocacy, Case Management, Information and Referral, Personal Advocacy, and Crisis Line Phone Counseling.
The program provides assistance to adults, children, young people and elderly victims of crime. It is closely allied with the Spouse Abuse Shelter and contracts to conduct an interview with each adult who enters, with follow-up counseling as needed. Children of the abused spouse are enrolled in a special children's program because they are victims of the abusive situation and invariably experience severe emotional trauma, even if they are not directly attacked themselves.
The VOCA Center is located in Hazard, Kentucky. Cyrus Brashear is the Adult Counselor/Social Worker and Lois J. Valentine is responsible for the Play Therapy Program for the children. Both staff persons are trained to be Court Advocates on victims behalf, and they maintain the Crisis Counseling by phone services as well as case management. They also assist victims in applying for Victims Compensation funds when necessary.
Clients come to the LKLP VOCA program via various referral sources; most are self referrals and Spouse Abuse Shelter referrals, but others come from the court systems, Department for Social Services, schools, medical doctors, mental health agencies, private psychiatrists, Family Preservation, community, families and friends.
If you need more information you may call (606) 439-3961.
VOCA Program Highlights
Crisis counseling is offered to adults and children who suffer emotional and/or physical traumas because of criminal acts. Services are offered to victims of domestic violence, incest, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, as well as victims of robbery, assault, survivors of homicide, and victims of drug and alcohol related crimes. Staff works with the victims on setting goals and objectives that are appropriate for the individual that is being counseled. Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual’s problems and needs. The group activities offered provides opportunities for victims to work on social skills and express their feelings about what has happened to them and relate to others who share similar problems and experiences.
The case management aspect of the program links up all necessary services needed to provide support and information to the victim. Victims are informed of public and private programs that are available in the service area.
The program staff works within the community and the judicial system to advocate for the victims’ rights and interest and to assist in the fight against crime. Community education presentations are provided to increase community awareness and commitment to the crime victims
Other advocacy services offered includes housing assistance, acquisition of emergency protective orders, and transportation to and from court. Follow-up counseling and advocacy services are offered after the initial crisis intervention contact.
Referrals are received and coordinated with local and state law enforcement, mental health providers, family and district court judges, prosecuting attorneys, social services, legal aid programs, hospitals and the local spouse abuse shelter.
The objectives of the previous grant period were to provide direct comprehensive victims services to crime victims, to assist and respond to the physical and emotional needs of victims suffering because of criminal acts. During the previous grant period, the Victims Services Program staff and volunteers served 255 unduplicated crime victims. Unduplicated victims served by county and state; Leslie 23, Lee 1, Letcher 30, Perry 113, Knott 35, Breathitt 23, Wolfe 6, Owsley 7, Pike 5, and Floyd 3.
Cyrus Brashear
Program Director
VOCA Contact Information
The VOCA office location is not provided due to privacy and safety concerns. If you need to meet with someone from the VOCA contact the Program Director.
Telephone: 606-439-3961
Toll Free: 1-800-928-3131
Office Hours :
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM