Utah County victim services reports 518 victims served in six months; staff cite federal VOCA cuts and plan volunteers and a service dog

Christiana Wagstaff, a victim services advocate with the Utah County Sheriff's Office, updated commissioners on the program's first six months of operation and described services, partners and program goals.

"Our mission is to [be] committed to advocating for and supporting victims as they navigate the aftermath of crime," Wagstaff said, describing the program's scope: proactive information and referral from police reports, personal advocacy, transportation for forensic exams, assistance filing civil protective orders, court preparation and emotional support. She told the commission the program covers the Utah County Sheriff's Office service area and has contracts with some municipalities for service coverage.

Wagstaff reported the program served 518 victims in the first six months. Program categories she listed included domestic violence (295 cases, the largest group), child-abuse-related cases (61) and stalking (31). She said the program uses county investigation budget funds and a state victim-services grant (distinct from VOCA) and partners with the Children's Justice Center, Wasatch Forensic Nurses, the refuge (a community domestic-violence shelter), Utah Legal Services and Timpanogos Legal Center for civil representation and supports.

Wagstaff also described impacts from federal funding reductions. "VOCA was cut 40% and we actually lost a full time position," she said, and added that the office is exploring replacement funding, a volunteer program to supplement staff, and fundraising to train a psychiatric service dog named Remy who could help victims with courtroom anxiety and crisis grounding techniques.

Wagstaff said the office spent an emergency-funds amount that the transcript renders as "$17.43" for lock changes, emergency hotels and food for victims; that figure appears to be a transcription error and county staff did not provide a clarified total during the meeting. The presenter said the state created a separate victim-services funding pot after VOCA reductions and that the county was chosen to receive that state grant.

Wagstaff described upcoming work to evaluate services in partnership with Utah Valley University and a planned survey to gather client feedback and improve offerings. Commissioners thanked the presenter and asked clarifying questions about distinctions between services for children and adults, and about coordination with the county attorney's victim coordinators.

The commission received the presentation as part of its work session; no formal vote was taken on program funding during this meeting.