Created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1981 as an Executive Branch agency, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) represents the culmination of many efforts to establish a statewide body that would build consensus and unity among the State's diverse and interdependent, criminal justice system components. CJCC is legislatively charged with eleven areas of criminal justice coordination. Among those responsibilities is to serve as the statewide clearinghouse for criminal justice information and research; develop criminal justice legislative and executive policy proposals; and serve in an advisory capacity to the Governor on issues impacting the criminal justice system. In addition to serving as the epicenter of criminal justice policies, research and information for Georgia, CJCC has been designated as the State Administrative Agency for numerous federal formula and competitive grant programs. As such, CJCC aggressively pursues federal grant opportunities utilizing a streamlined grant application process buttressed with the very latest data and advanced technological support. Once the State receives grant money and CJCC awards it to subgrantees, CJCC methodically and diligently ensures accountability for these funds. Currently, CJCC plans and administers tens of millions of dollars in federal criminal justice and victim services grants received from Edward Byrne Memorial (Byrne-JAG), Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), STOP Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT), Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) as well as state grant programs funded by the Georgia General Assembly. As CJCC administers programs providing direct services to victims of crime, it is a natural fit that it also administers the Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program (CVCP). Established by the State Legislature in 1988, the CVCP offers financial support to innocent victims of violent crimes and encourages greater victim participation in the criminal justice process. Crimes covered under the CVCP, among others, include: homicide, sexual assault, commercial sexual exploitation of minors, domestic violence, assault/battery, vehicular homicide and DUI/DWI. CVCP is a payer of last resort and certain requirements must be met, but eligible applicants may receive compensation benefits up to $25,000 to help with medical and dental care, mental health counseling, economic support, crime scene clean-up, and funeral expenses when the costs are not covered by a third-party payer.
