Formed 1911 (1911) Jurisdiction State of California Annual budget $140 million (2013-14) | Preceding State Agency Board of Control Employees 270 (2013-14) | |
Headquarters 400 R Street, Sacramento, CA | ||
The three-member Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB) is a state agency of the U.S. state of California that oversees the provision of compensation to victims of violent crime, the resolution of claims against state agencies, and the collection of restitution from criminal offenders. The VCGCB is part of the California Government Operations Agency. The board consists of three members: the Secretary of the SCSA who serves as the chair, the California State Controller, and a member appointed by the Governor, currently San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos.
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Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP)
The California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP) 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, drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter. If a person meets eligibility criteria, CalVCP will compensate many types of services when the costs are not covered by other sources. Eligible services include medical and dental care, mental health services such as psychotherapy, income loss, funeral expenses, rehabilitation and relocation. Funding for CalVCP comes from restitution fines and orders, penalty assessments levied on persons convicted of crimes and traffic offenses, and federal matching funds.
The Board's Restitution and Recovery Program works to ensure that, where possible, perpetrators of violent crimes are ordered by the courts to pay restitution.
The CalVCP program was the first program of its kind when it began in 1965, with the goal to help and provide financial assistance to victims of violent crime and those at threat of personal injury from crime.
Government Claims Program
The Government Claims Program (GCP) helps resolve claims against State agencies and employees for money or damages. In most cases, a person who is considering suing the state is required to first seek an administrative remedy by filing a claim with the GCP. Typical claims involve state vehicle accidents, contract disputes, outdated State checks and damage to property. The GCP is self-funded, supported by a US$25 filing fee and a surcharge paid by state agencies on approved claims.
Additional responsibilities of the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board
Restitution Recovery: A highly effective revenue recovery program focuses on collecting restitution payments and reimbursements from criminal offenders that in turn fund compensation for crime victims.
Compensation for Good Samaritans: The Board administers the provisions of California law that provide for compensation to Good Samaritans who suffer injury or loss as a result of their efforts to prevent a crime, apprehend a criminal, or rescue a person in immediate danger of injury or death.
Missing Children Reward Program: The California Legislature created the Missing Children Reward Program to assist local law enforcement agencies and other parties involved in the identification and recovery of missing children in California.
Claims of Erroneously Convicted Felons: Under California law, a person erroneously convicted of a felony and incarcerated in a California state prison may file a claim against the state for pecuniary loss.
California State Employees Charitable Campaign: The Board assists with the administration of the California State Employees Charitable Campaign. This campaign provides a single, coordinated fund-raising drive that allows state employees to direct contributions from their paychecks to any of the hundreds of participating charitable organizations.
Bid Protests: California law provides that an unsuccessful bidder may protest the award of a state contract, if the bidder believes they should have been selected based on the criteria in the bid request document.