Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. is calling for immediate action following sharp reductions in federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding that he says are pushing small and rural domestic violence shelters in Arkansas to the brink.
Woods, who serves on the Board of Directors for CASA Women’s Shelter in Pine Bluff, issued a statement in response to recent reporting on funding disparities and deep VOCA cuts affecting victim-service programs statewide.
“Yesterday’s story underscores a crisis we are living every day in Southeast Arkansas,” Woods said. “Federal VOCA funds have fallen sharply, and smaller and rural shelters are being pushed to the brink. When VOCA dollars shrink, hotlines go unanswered, advocates are cut, and families in danger have nowhere to turn. That is unacceptable.”
CASA Women’s Shelter serves Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, and much of Southeast Arkansas, providing 24/7 emergency housing, food, clothing, counseling, legal advocacy, and other essential services. Woods said those services are now at risk.
“VOCA isn’t taxpayer-funded; it comes from federal criminal fines and penalties,” he explained. “But that model has become volatile, and shelters like ours are paying the price. We need immediate stabilization of VOCA at the federal level, transparent and equitable state allocations that don’t leave smaller shelters behind, and urgent local support to bridge the gaps. Domestic violence doesn’t pause because budgets are tight. Neither will we.”
VOCA awards fluctuate year to year but have dropped significantly across Arkansas in recent cycles — now totaling roughly $7 to $9 million statewide, compared to substantially higher amounts just a few years ago. The program, administered by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration’s Office of Intergovernmental Services (DFA/IGS), is highly competitive and limited relative to need.
According to KATV’s recent reporting, shelters outside major metropolitan areas face layoffs, reduced capacity, or possible closure as VOCA dollars shrink and become increasingly concentrated in certain regions.
VOCA is financed entirely through federal criminal fines and penalties deposited into the Crime Victims Fund — not through taxpayer dollars.
Woods is urging coordinated action at multiple levels:
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Stabilize VOCA nationally so Arkansas programs can plan responsibly and avoid catastrophic interruptions in service.
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Ensure transparent, needs-based state allocations that recognize smaller communities with limited donor bases and the critical services they provide.
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Mobilize local support now from businesses, faith groups, civic organizations, and residents to help keep beds open and hotlines staffed.
Woods noted that while state programs like the Arkansas Domestic Violence Shelter Fund and FVPSA can help bridge short-term gaps, they are not a substitute for consistent VOCA funding.
Those wishing to help can contribute directly to CASA Women’s Shelter:
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CashApp: $CASAWomenshelter
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Mail: CASA Women’s Shelter–PB, P.O. Box 6705, Pine Bluff, AR 71611-6705
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Online: Givelify – CASA Women Shelter PB
The 24-hour hotline is (870) 535-2955.
