More than $43,048,219 in funds was awarded to the Council under several Federal grant programs. The Council also received $395,162 in State Administrative Funds. These funds were primarily used for personal services and operating costs. There was a decrease in Crime Victims Compensation claims processing time. The following State plans were approved: the Byrne Strategic Plan, and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Implementation Plan. There were Federal funding cuts in the Victims Services Grant Programs. The Eighth Annual Victims Conference took place May 29-31, 2001, and more than 600 victim service professionals from across the State attended. The Crime Victims Compensation Division widely publicized the availability of compensation benefits for crime victims. A major focus included educating those that work with victims of crime on a daily basis (law enforcement officers, community leaders, educators, advocates, and medical and mental health professionals). Grant training included a new applicant and sub-grantee workshop and a training session on how to get grant funds and what to do when grant funds run out. The Council's Crime Victims Compensation Division assisted New York's victims of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks. Council Compensation staff was selected to participate in the Office for Victims of Crime's National Victims Assistance Academy. Council staff and Applied Research Services facilitated a workshop session on sex offender registries at a national conference. Two new service programs were started for victims of crime: the Counseling and Emergency Funds initiatives.