Crime Victim Services (CVS) is a United Way based victim support program. CVS began in 1981 in Allen County as the second Victim Offender Mediation Program in the U.S., expanding to comprehensive victim services in 1985. The Putnam County office began in 1990, and is Ohio's only county with all victim services at one facility. The Family Justice Center for domestic violence victims in Putnam County opened in 2007.
In cooperation with felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile prosecutors and pre-sentence investigators, CVS provides the victim rights required in Ohio law and restitution documentation. CVS staff are licensed by the Ohio Counselor and Social Work Board.
The CVS agency is run by a volunteer board of directors, including:
- Jim Beutler, Putnam County Sheriff
- Juergen Waldick, Allen County Prosecuting Attorney
- Jeanne Botkin, Putnam County Sheriff's D.A.R.E. Office
- Alan Mefferd, Allen County Sheriff's Office, Civil Division
- Gary Lammers, Putnam County Prosecuting Attorney
- Sean Austin, PhD, Psychologist, Psychosocial Associates
- Sam Crish, Allen County Sheriff
- Lois Wetherill, Retired, Hospital Community Relations Vice-President
- Paul Brown, Retired, Tilton Corp.
- Randy McCullough, Vice-President Business, James A Rhodes State College
- Kevin Jones, Deputy Warden for Operations, Oakwood Correctional Institution
- Jacqi Bradley, Executive Director, PSA 3 Agency on Aging
- Teresa Lammers, Putnam County Clerk of Court
- Patti Spicer, Columbus Grove commuity member
- Travis Clouse, Trauma Program Director, Lima Memorial Health Systems
- Ruthy Mills, Parole Officer, Allen Correctional Institution
- Cindi Hayes , Assistant Director, Crossroads Crisis Center
The CVS staff are dedicated to education and compassionate services to victims of crime. All Victim Advocates are Licensed Social Workers or enrolled in Master of Social Work (MSW) programs.
David Voth is the Executive Director for both Allen and Putnam Counties (20 year award, 2005).
Allen County Staff
- Phyllis Neff, Felony Victim Advocate (20 year award, 2008)
- Trisha Waldbauer, Juvenile and Stalking Victim Advocate (5 year award, 2005)
- LaShay Nichols, Rape Crisis Program Coordinator & Allen County Rape Crisis Advocate
- Jean Slone, Allen County Office Manager (15 year award, 2008)
- Ruth Schwartz, Victim Advocate Assistant (5 year award, 2005)
- Greg Recker, Misdemeanor Victim Advocate
- Autumn Browning, CASA Director
Putnam County Staff
- Shelley Price, Felony Victim Advocate and Program Supervisor (5 year award, 2005)
- Tammy Baumunk, Domestic Violence Victim Advocate
- Misti Harlow, Victim Impact Panel Coordinator, Family Justice Center Coordinator
- Deb Wyant, County Court Victim Advocate (10 year award, 2007)
- JoAnn Bloom, Victim Advocate Assistant
CVS is a member of:
- United Way of Greater Lima
- United Way of Putnam County
- Ohio Domestic Violence Network
- Ohio Mediation Association
- Ohio Victim Witness Association
- National Center for Victims of Crime
- National Organization for Victim Assistance
- Victim Offender Mediation Association
- International Association of Forensic Nurses
CVS assists the area chapter of:
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving