Leno Legislation Improves Services for Survivors of Violent Crime
California Political Desk
May 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Survivors of violent crime in California would benefit from more comprehensive services under a bill authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). Senate Bill 733, which is being heard today by the Senate Appropriations Committee, creates up to three Trauma Recovery Centers across California to provide more immediate, comprehensive and cost-effective services to Californians who have survived a life-altering violent event.
SB 733 is modeled after the nationally recognized Trauma Recovery Center that was created at San Francisco General Hospital in 2001. The Trauma Recovery Center was designed to immediately meet the special needs of survivors by incorporating mental health support, medical treatment and coordinating services from law enforcement and social agency groups under one roof. The successful San Francisco center provides services at a lower cost than the state´s current victim services program and streamlines some administrative processes.
"We have a duty to support the victims of this state, and given current fiscal pressures we have to deliver services more efficiently and cost effectively than we have been," said Senator Leno. "Trauma Recovery Centers are uniquely able to reach out to vulnerable populations of Californians and help them put their lives back together – immediately and efficiently. We owe this to California´s survivors of violent crime," he said.
SB 733 allows the Trauma Recovery Centers to work in partnership with the state´s Victims Compensation and Government Claims Board to provide cost-effective, rapid intervention for crime survivors.
A recent report from the California State Auditor found that between 2001 and 2005, the state´s Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, which administers the Victim Compensation Program, has decreased payments to victims by 50%. During this same time, the Board´s administrative costs have increased and victims remained largely unaware of the state´s support services.
San Francisco´s Trauma Recovery Center provides more services to survivors at a lower cost than the state program, according to a 2005 San Francisco General Hospital survey. The center also decreases the amount of time it takes survivors to return to work and increases victim participation and cooperation with law enforcement and local prosecutors.
"We know that violence robs people of their sense of safety in the world, disrupts their lives and damages the spirit," said Alicia Boccellari, Director of the UCSF Trauma Recovery Center at San Francisco General Hospital. "The award-winning Trauma Recovery Center has developed a new model of comprehensive care to help victims heal from the devastating aftermath of violence. The Center works to rekindle hope and restore a sense of safety in the world," she said.
SB 733, which utilizes existing funds already set aside for victims´ services, will be eligible for a vote on the Senate floor after it passes the Appropriations Committee.
SB 733 is modeled after the nationally recognized Trauma Recovery Center that was created at San Francisco General Hospital in 2001. The Trauma Recovery Center was designed to immediately meet the special needs of survivors by incorporating mental health support, medical treatment and coordinating services from law enforcement and social agency groups under one roof. The successful San Francisco center provides services at a lower cost than the state´s current victim services program and streamlines some administrative processes.
"We have a duty to support the victims of this state, and given current fiscal pressures we have to deliver services more efficiently and cost effectively than we have been," said Senator Leno. "Trauma Recovery Centers are uniquely able to reach out to vulnerable populations of Californians and help them put their lives back together – immediately and efficiently. We owe this to California´s survivors of violent crime," he said.
SB 733 allows the Trauma Recovery Centers to work in partnership with the state´s Victims Compensation and Government Claims Board to provide cost-effective, rapid intervention for crime survivors.
A recent report from the California State Auditor found that between 2001 and 2005, the state´s Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, which administers the Victim Compensation Program, has decreased payments to victims by 50%. During this same time, the Board´s administrative costs have increased and victims remained largely unaware of the state´s support services.
San Francisco´s Trauma Recovery Center provides more services to survivors at a lower cost than the state program, according to a 2005 San Francisco General Hospital survey. The center also decreases the amount of time it takes survivors to return to work and increases victim participation and cooperation with law enforcement and local prosecutors.
"We know that violence robs people of their sense of safety in the world, disrupts their lives and damages the spirit," said Alicia Boccellari, Director of the UCSF Trauma Recovery Center at San Francisco General Hospital. "The award-winning Trauma Recovery Center has developed a new model of comprehensive care to help victims heal from the devastating aftermath of violence. The Center works to rekindle hope and restore a sense of safety in the world," she said.
SB 733, which utilizes existing funds already set aside for victims´ services, will be eligible for a vote on the Senate floor after it passes the Appropriations Committee.
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