Press Release
For Immediate Release: March 7, 2017
Contact: Janice Mackey, (916) 491-3821
janice.mackey@victims.ca.gov
@helpingvictims

Online Education Tool Helps Users Navigate State’s Victim Compensation Benefits

Sacramento, CA — The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) today released the first of four eLearning courses designed to provide education about the state’s victim compensation program on a convenient, self-paced track that is accessible 24/7.

The first course is a basic overview to help the general public understand compensation benefits and how to access them. The three remaining courses, scheduled for release later this year, provide training for medical and mental health professionals and advocates at both local crime victim assistance centers and community-based organizations.

“It’s no secret that survivors who get help immediately in the aftermath of a crime are more successful long term,” said CalVCB Executive Officer Julie Nauman. “These new courses ensure providers and advocates are well equipped to provide assistance to victims when seeking help from the state’s victim compensation program.”

Professionals who utilize the courses will get answers to common compensation questions and will also learn how to assist victims who are accessing benefits. Certificates are available for medical and mental health treatment providers as well as victim service advocates upon the completion of each course.

To view the first course, see the CalVCB Training page. The entire eLearning catalog is as follows.

• Overview (15 Minutes): This course provides a general overview of CalVCB’s history, mission, benefits and funding sources. Available in English and Spanish.
• Helping Crime Victims Heal: A Victim Compensation Course for Mental Health Providers (90 Minutes): This module clarifies the required documentation mental health treatment providers must submit, as well as CalVCB program session limits and payment rates.
• Helping Crime Victims Heal: A Victim Compensation Course for Medical Providers (50 Minutes): This course familiarizes medical providers and their billing agents with covered medical expenses and benefit limits. It also explains how reimbursement and recovery sources are applied.
• Helping Crime Victims Heal: A Victim Compensation Course for Advocates (4 Hours): This course helps victim advocates learn about eligibility and benefits to assist crime victims seeking help through the compensation program.

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The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) provides compensation for victims of violent crime who are injured or threatened with injury. Among the crimes covered are domestic violence, child abuse, sexual and physical assault, homicide, robbery, and vehicular manslaughter. Last fiscal year, the program received nearly 51,000 applications and provided over $52 million in compensation to crime victims.

If a person meets eligibility criteria, CalVCB will compensate many types of services when the costs are not covered by other sources. Eligible expenses include medical and dental care, mental health services, income loss, funeral expenses, rehabilitation and relocation. Funding for CalVCB comes from restitution fines and orders, penalty assessments levied on persons convicted of crimes, traffic offenses and federal funds.