CalVCB projects ~$10.5M from Prop 47 for March trauma-recovery awards; attorney-fee payments remain delayed

Executive Officer Linda Gledhill told the California Victim Compensation Board on Jan. 15 that the governor’s January budget proposal contained no direct cuts to the board but that projected Prop 47 savings and the restitution fund mean the board expects about $10,500,000 to award at its March meeting.

Gledhill said the amount would “equate to about 4 or 5 trauma recovery centers receiving funding” and that the agency received 42 on‑time trauma recovery center (TRC) applications: 9 existing, 5 former, and 28 new organizations. She cautioned the board the May revise could change the Prop 47 figure and that staff may need to adjust award amounts when the March package is finalized.

Gledhill also updated the board on a backlog and a related attorney‑fee problem raised at the November meeting. She said CalVCB has been working “with the Department of Finance and the Controller's Office to establish a general fund mechanism for paying these fees,” and acknowledged daily communications but that a complete solution has not yet been implemented. Gledhill stated the total attorney‑fee payments to date are $11,745.48 and that more than $11,600 of that sum is owed to a single attorney who has reported hardship because payments have been delayed.

Board members expressed sympathy and said they would try to assist. A member from the Controller’s Office told the board he would refrain from voting on later related items because of his affiliation but offered to help where appropriate.

Gledhill also reported operational progress: staff completed review and reprocessing of more than 2,200 bills after suspending the 90‑day billing rule; about 30 percent of those were returned from the appeals process, allowing CalVCB to resolve approximately 566 appeals and reduce backlog pressure. She said a regulatory package the board approved in November was approved by the Office of Administrative Law and will take effect April 1.

Gledhill closed by noting January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month; CalVCB has produced fact sheets and will host a webinar for advocates.

What happens next: staff will include recommended TRC awards in the March board package; the May revise could alter available funding and change award amounts before final board action in March.