Discussion Guide 

 

Understanding and Reaching Crime Victims with 
Incarceration Histories: A Webinar for VOCA 
Administrators, Part 2 

By Kaitlin Kall March 2019 

 



These discussion questions can be used to help facilitate a dialogue with your 
colleagues about how the content of this webinar applies to your work. 

 

Webinar description: 

In the second part of this two-part webinar series for VOCA administrators, 
Michelle Garcia, Director of the District of Columbia Office of Victim Services and 
Justice Grants (OVSJG) discusses her office’s efforts to increase funding to service 
providers working with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated survivors. 
Additionally, Ashley McSwain, Director of Community Family Life Services in 
Washington, DC, discusses her organization’s programming for women with 
histories of incarceration and victimization and shares how she successfully 
obtained VOCA funding from Michelle’s office to support this work. 

 

 

 


Discussion Questions for VOCA Administrators 

 

1. In her presentation, Michelle discusses the false dichotomy of “victim” and 
“offender”. What were your reactions to the idea that many people have 
been both “victims” and “offenders”? Does your agency make funding 
decisions based on fixed ideas of who “victims” and “offenders” are? If so, 
what do you think it would take to change or expand these ideas? 
2. In order to increase funding for services for formerly incarcerated survivors, 
Michelle recommends conducting outreach to reentry service providers 
when a new grant solicitation is open. How might your agency identify 
existing reentry service providers in your state? How can you help educate 
reentry service providers on the existence of VOCA funds? 


 

3. Ashley discusses the ways in which solicitation language may discourage 
some reentry-focused organizations from applying for VOCA funding. What 
changes could you make in your solicitations to signal a willingness to fund 
programs that serve formerly incarcerated people? 


Discussion Questions for Victim Service Providers 

 

1. In this webinar, Michelle discusses the ways in which victim service 
agencies and reentry service providers often operate in silos. Does this 
seem to be true in your state or community? How do you think these silos, 
if present in your area, impact formerly incarcerated survivors in your 
community? 



2. How well-equipped is your agency to serve a victim who has experienced 
trauma and instability stemming from incarceration? What steps could you 
take to enhance this capacity? 


 

3. Michelle and Ashley encourage forming partnerships with other 
organizations when applying for VOCA grants. What reentry service 
providers in your area may be open to working with your organization? 
How might you approach these agencies about collaborating on a grant 
proposal? 


 

 

This document was produced by the Vera Institute of Justice under award #2016-XV-GX-
K015, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. 
Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations 
expressed in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the 
official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. 

 

Author: Kaitlin Kall, National Resource Center Technical Assistance Provider 
for Formerly Incarcerated Survivors; Senior Program Associate, Vera 
Institute of Justice.