Federal Cuts Threaten Victim Services in Connecticut – “A Big Hit” for Vulnerable Children from CT Mirror

Connecticut’s victim services sector is facing a looming crisis as federal funding from the Crime Victims Fund continues to dry up. The fund, once flush with over $13 billion in 2017, has dropped to just $3.3 billion in 2024, forcing Connecticut nonprofits to brace for sharp budget cuts. This critical funding—collected from federal criminal fines and distributed under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)—supports programs for survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

Temporary relief came through pandemic-era federal aid, but that will expire next year, resulting in an anticipated 29% drop in victim service funding statewide.

Gary Steck, CEO of Wellmore Behavioral Health, underscored the personal cost of these cuts. His organization, which currently receives $235,000 from VOCA grants, expects a 14% reduction. This means they’ll have to serve 55 fewer children annually—dropping from 400 to 345. Steck warned that these are traumatized kids, and “that’s [a] big hit at once,” noting that most of the funds go toward treating young victims of crime and their families. He added grimly, “it may be worse” if further cuts follow.

The fear is clear: without sustained funding, many victims could be left without help when they need it most. As Steck and others emphasize, these services aren't just supportive—they are lifesaving.

Read the full article from CT Mirror here: https://ctmirror.org/2025/05/07/ct-victim-services-federal-funding/

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Call us at 203-756-7287 (Children & Adolescents), 203-755-1143 (Adults), or visit wellmore.org for more information.