A major objective of the California Victim/Witness Assistance Program is to improve the criminal justice system's understanding of the needs of victims and witnesses and to increase the participation of victims and witnesses in the administration of justice. The State of California provides financial aid to establish and maintain local comprehensive centers for victims and witnesses of all types of crime. The centers assist victims of crime in preparing, verifying, and presenting their claims for indemnification to the State Board of Control. They provide certain mandatory services such as crisis intervention, emergency assistance, resource and referral counseling, follow-up counseling, assistance in preparing victim of crime claims, orientation to the criminal justice system, and court assistance. Optional services are also provided by the centers and include informing the victim's employer that a crime was committed against the victim, creditor intervention, child care, restitution and return of property. A maximum of five percent of the total state grant award may be allocated to pay for emergency food and lodging for victims, and a total of 15 percent of the total grant award may be allocated for witness protection.