This website provides access to a paperless compensation management portal available to practitioners who assist victims of crime with compensation referrals. The VANweb portal assists with the data collection needed to process compensation applications and benefit requests. New users requesting access to the secure portal must register, which requires them to read core criteria about program benefits, answer review questions, and collect authorization. Approved users may submit applications and/or bills and receive claim/bill status information. Review each and every description below and select which title best describes your role in helping victims of crime with the victim compensation application.
A Victim Service Advocate is a full-time paid employee of a Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) funded organization, and is trained to support, provide services, and offer referrals to victims of crime. These include local community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and academic facilities that work in partnership with social services, crisis centers, or support groups to provide services and promote the rights of crime victims, and identify remedies available for whatever services victims need.
A Law Enforcement Advocate is a full-time paid employee of a state attorney, probation or parole, police, sheriff, or other state or federal criminal justice entity. These advocates are tasked with helping crime victims recover both in the immediate aftermath of a crime and long term. They advocate to ensure that the legal rights and protections of victims are met, help submit comments to courts and parole boards, and provide access to available services.
A Relocation Advocate is a full-time paid employee of a certified domestic violence or rape crisis center in Florida. Relocation advocates have completed specialized training provided by the Department of Children and Families Domestic Violence Program or Florida Counsel Against Sexual Violence, and qualify as application assistants following the completion of training by the Office of the Attorney General. These advocates help victims with safety planning, negotiate with landlords and other creditors, coordinate reimbursement for ancillary costs associated with relocating, and educate victims on what is needed to collect compensation.