Governor Wes Moore announced that more than 120 victim service programs across Maryland will receive $60 million in federal and state Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding for Fiscal Year 2026. Administered by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, the competitive funding round saw nearly 150 applicants request approximately $80 million, with nine new awardees joining the roster. The awards highlight Maryland’s pressing need for robust victim support services and underscore the Moore-Miller Administration’s commitment to public safety amid historic declines in violent crime.
“Support for victim services is a critical part of our comprehensive approach to promoting greater public safety,” said Gov. Moore. “As Maryland continues to see historic drops in violent crime, this funding reaffirms our commitment to building a stronger, safer state by investing in the programs that are best equipped to serve our communities”. The announcement reflects the administration’s focus on empowering top-performing programs that deliver direct assistance to victims of crime across the state.
The $60 million in VOCA grants will support a range of services, including crisis intervention, advocacy, safety planning, counseling, psychological support, and shelter. In FY 2025, VOCA grantees served nearly 40,000 new victims, demonstrating the programs’ critical role in helping survivors recover. “Our VOCA grantees deliver vital resources to victims of crime throughout Maryland,” said Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy Executive Director Lennig. “Their dedicated work provides immediate and important support following a crime, including crisis intervention, advocacy, safety planning, counseling, psychological support, and shelter. These services make a profound difference in helping victims recover and regain stability in their lives”.
Among the funded programs are innovative initiatives addressing specific community needs. The Deaf Abused Women’s Network received $120,000 to provide specialized support for hearing-impaired women affected by violence. The Midshore Council on Family Violence’s Southern Maryland GIS Program, awarded $2 million, maintains an advanced geographic mapping system to identify and address survivor needs on the Eastern Shore. The Calvert Safe Housing Network secured $215,000 to offer emergency housing for domestic violence survivors in Calvert County. ROCA Baltimore’s “After Shooting Protocol” received $237,000 to implement intervention services following shooting incidents, ensuring rapid response to trauma in urban areas.
The University of Maryland Baltimore Center for Families Care Clinic, another VOCA recipient, highlighted the funding’s impact. “Thanks to the VOCA funding the Care Clinic receives through the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, we’ve been able to deliver comprehensive services to victims that are high-quality, evidence-based, and delivered by well-trained staff,” said Director April Rectanus. “Through our VOCA grant we are able to provide essential services such as care coordination, referrals to additional support resources, and even childcare during sessions, all of which will help victims heal, rebuild, and reclaim their sense of empowerment” .
Maryland’s investment comes at a time when violent crime rates have dropped significantly, with a 10% decrease reported statewide in 2024, including in regions like Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties. The VOCA grants target programs that address both immediate and long-term needs, from emergency housing in rural areas to trauma counseling in urban centers. The competitive nature of the funding process, with $80 million in requests against $60 million awarded, reflects the high demand for these services and the state’s effort to prioritize impactful programs.
The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy has made transparency a priority, offering a regional breakdown of grantees, award amounts, and project descriptions through its Interactive Grant Map. This resource allows Marylanders to explore how funds are distributed, from Baltimore’s urban initiatives to rural programs on the Eastern Shore. The inclusion of nine new awardees in FY 2026 expands the reach of victim services, ensuring more communities have access to critical support.
As Maryland continues to strengthen its public safety framework, the VOCA funding represents a strategic investment in recovery and resilience. By supporting programs that offer tailored, evidence-based services, the state is addressing the diverse needs of crime victims, from hearing-impaired women to domestic violence survivors. The grants not only aid individual recovery but also contribute to safer, more stable communities across Maryland, reinforcing the state’s commitment to justice and healing.