Victim Outreach Incorporated
2019-2021 Strategic Plan
Letter from the Board President and Executive Director:
In August 2018 Victim Outreach Incorporated made the decision to update its Strategic Plan. On August 11, 2018, members of the VOI Board of Directors and staff met to engage in the strategic planning process facilitated by Alison Peters of Entrellis. The group discussed the organizational culture of VOI to identify its core values which will be important to build on going forward. The group also looked at areas where change may be needed.
Top areas include: focus on the Executive Director succession planning process; Board growth and involvement; technology, fundraising; the role of advocacy in the criminal justice system; changing community needs; and the role of VOI in the new Family Justice Center.
Board members and the facilitator also shared feedback from interviews conducted with staff and stakeholders as background for the discussion on changes to the organization that may or may not be needed in the future. Finally, the group identified the following goals and tactics which formed the basis of this strategic plan’s priorities for VOI: programs and services; fundraising; contracts and grants; and organizational effectiveness.
Mission
To Promote the Healing of People Impacted by Crime and Trauma
Vision
People impacted by crime and trauma will lead healthy, productive and inspired lives
Values
- Advocacy- We advocate for victims to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity and for their rights as afforded by the Colorado Constitution.
- Healing – Our belief is that victims’ recovery is affected positively with early intervention, education and resources.
- Empowerment – Victims who feel safe, have their basic needs met and receive compassionate support are more likely to feel empowered, have hope and a willingness to participate in the criminal justice process.
- Justice – Justice is best served by interagency communication and cooperation, victim participation and system improvement.
- Ethics – VOI values honest communication, professionalism, trust and quality of service.
Executive Summary
Victim Outreach Incorporated (VOI) advocates provide victims with support, information and resources that promote safety, healing, a good experience with the criminal justice process and restitution.
To accomplish this we offer services from the time of crisis and throughout the criminal justice process. VOI’s trained victim advocates collaborate with the criminal justice system, including police and the district attorney’s office, as well as other service providers, to provide a coordinated response.
Additionally, continuous assessments of victim’s needs are evaluated through research and education, information obtained from victim surveys, communication with police, prosecutors, school personnel and other service providers.
Organizational Description
In the late 1970’s, public outrage at how survivors of crime were treated led President Regan to create a task force to study “the plight of victims”. In response to the findings and recommendations of the President’s Task Force, changes were made throughout the criminal justice system, including the creation of victim support services in police agencies across the country.
In 1986, following a county-wide assessment of existing services across Colorado’s First Judicial District, Victim Outreach Information, Inc. (VOI) was created to provide much needed victim support services to smaller communities throughout Jefferson County – communities without sufficient resources to develop their own victim support programs. Services were based on recommendations made in the President’s Task Force Final Report on Victims of Crime, 1982.
In 2013, VOI’s Board of Directors voted to change the name of Victim Outreach Information to Victim Outreach Incorporated (VOI). Currently, VOI provides police-based victim services in the cities of Arvada, Edgewater, Golden, Lakeside, Mountain View, Wheat Ridge, the town of Morrison and to the Colorado School of Mines.
Goals and Strategies
Programs and services
Goal: Maintain 24-hour coverage to support victims of crime and trauma in our target areas as populations increase and needs change, and provide access to appropriate services to victims of crime and trauma.
Tactics:
- Expand methods, opportunities for recruitment and retention of volunteers
- Play a leadership role in Family Justice Center planning and development
- Regularly review how VOI can proactively address changing needs
- Provide training opportunities for staff and volunteers to enhance the resources they can provide to victims
- Train law enforcement about VOI services and Victim Issues/Rights
Metrics:
- Number of clients served and services delivered
- Successful Volunteer Program as measured by after hour coverage and volunteer retention
- Client satisfaction and input from victims and agencies served by VOI
- Police agency satisfaction as measured by referrals, go-outs and use of advocate services
Fundraising
Goal: Diversify and increase fundraising approach to individual donors
Tactics:
- Create an overall fundraising plan and review progress at least quarterly
- Focus on appealing to new donors
- Test which methods of increased exposure such as social media, visibility at events, outreach to underserved communities and Council meetings prove most viable
- Make it easier to donate by leveraging technology and social media
Metrics
- Size of donation
- Growth in number of donors
- Annual increase in total donations
Contracts and Grants
Goal: Increase and solidify contracts and grants
Tactics:
- Demonstrate value of services, education, relationships and training
- Use data to demonstrate cost of services
- Continue to expand marketing of VOI services to stakeholders and community
Metrics:
- Size and number of Contracts
- Increased utilization of VOI services by PD
Organizational effectiveness
Goal: Maintain professional staff and volunteers to provide competent victim assistance and ensure effective leadership in the community
Tactics:
- Strong staff support: professional development, maintain health and wellness, competitive pay and benefits
- Expand opportunities for recruitment and retention of volunteers
- Maintain community engagement and monitor community needs
- Maintain interactive relationships with stakeholders
- Strive for staff diversification
Metrics:
- Staff competency
- Staff satisfaction
- Stakeholder feedback
- Staff and volunteer training opportunities
Goal: Offer culturally competent services
Tactics:
- Provide diversity training and education to volunteers and staff
- Develop and maintain relationships with agencies that offer services to diverse communities such as COVA, Asian Pacific Center, Servicios de la Raza, Denver Indian Center, DOVE, LGBT Community Center, etc.
- Establish outreach efforts to culturally diverse communities to foster understanding and relationship building
Metrics:
Evaluate progress annually
Goal: Maintain and improve board development
Tactic:
- Identify needed skill sets for board members
- Promote diversity of board
- Improve onboarding of new board members
- Continue active recruitment
Metrics:
- Diversity of membership
- Board involvement and commitment to VOI
- Increased number of board members
Goal: Successful Executive Director Transition
Tactics:
- Establish and follow succession planning process
Metrics:
- New Executive Director in place
- Board, Staff, Executive Director satisfaction
