Closed-Circuit Televising of Child Victims of Abuse (16.611)

Program

16.611 Closed-Circuit Televising of Child Victims of Abuse

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Justice
Office: Bureau Of Justice Assistance

Authorization

Victims of Child Abuse Act, Public Law 90-351, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 3796aa, et seq.

Program Number

16.611

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide equipment and personnel training for the closed-circuit televising and videotaping of the testimony of children in criminal proceedings for the violation of laws relating to the abuse of children.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Up to 75 percent of total project grant costs may be funded through Federal assistance.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Limited competition--a state or local unit of government that has in effect a law allowing the closed-circuit televising or video taping of testimony of children in criminal proceedings relating to the abuse of children.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State and local criminal justice agencies; Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and personnel; public non-profit organizations, and youth benefit from this program.

Credentials/Documentation

Eligible states and units of local government. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

The standard application forms (SF-424) as furnished by the Federal agency in accordance with 28 CFR Part 66 (Common Rule), must be used for this program. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Applicants must follow the instructions contained in the solicitation for the Closed-Circuit Televising of Testimony of Children Who Are Victims of Abuse Grant Program and submit a fully executed application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, 810 Seventh Street, NW. Fourth Floor, Washington, DC 20531, Attention: Closed-Circuit TV Program Manager. Applicants should submit an original and two copies of the application, along with an electronic copy of the application on disk in WordPerfect or Word for Windows, to BJA for review. BJA must receive the application at least 90 days prior to the anticipated start date of a new or continuation award.

Award Procedure

BJA reviews applications for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with all program requirements. Upon approval by the Assistant Attorney General, OJP, award letters and award documents are sent to the grantee. One copy of the grant award must be signed by a duly authorized representative and returned to BJA.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 30 to 60 days. Applications must be approved no later than 60 days after first received unless the Director of BJA informs the applicant of specific reasons for disapproval.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

From 30 to 60 days. A project must submit a written request justifying the need for the extension and how the extension would be consistent with the objectives of the grant 60 days prior to the expiration of the current grant.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: Percent: 25.%. Projects are awarded 75 percent of the total project costs. A match of 25 percent is required.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grantees selected for awards will be funded for a period of 12 months. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Reimbursement.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required. No cash reports are required. No progress reports are required. Reporting requirements for grants and projects awarded under this program are articulated in the OJP Financial Guide, as well as in the program solicitation. To assist in fulfilling the Departments responsibilities under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), P.L. 103-62, applicants who receive funding under this solicitation must provide data that measures the results of their work.

Audits

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. Payments and transactions are subject to audits by the General Accounting Office, the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General, State or local government auditors, and auditors from independent public accounting firms. Jurisdictions must follow their local policies and procedures, including maintenance of reliable and accurate accounting systems, record keeping, and systems of internal control.

Records

Recipients of Federal funds are expected to retain documentation supporting all program transactions for at least 3 years after the closure of audit reports related to such funding. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all related issues, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: The American Bar Association (ABA) received an award of $363,731 to evaluate the CCTV projects to determine the effectiveness and impact of the funded projects in reducing the trauma to child abuse victims during criminal hearings or trials. The ABA organized a two-day evaluation conference to assist grantees in developing individual evaluation plans; provide technical assistance to grantees in developing individual evaluation plans and obtaining the data needed to assess the projects; and, on the preparation of a final report documenting the assessment, best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations to improve the CCTV Program. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

15-0404-0-1-754.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $809,660; FY 09 est $0; FY 10 est $0

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Approximately 10 to 15 grants ranging from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $100,000 per grant.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Financial Guide, Office of the Comptroller, Office of Justice Programs; BJA's Program Guide and Application Kit for the Closed-Circuit Televising of Testimony of Children Who Are Victims of Abuse Grant Program.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

K. Norris Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice, 810 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20531 Email: AskBJA@usdoj.gov Phone: 202-616-6500 or 1-866-859-2647

Web Site Address

www.usdoj.gov/bja.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Applicants can use grant funds to: purchase videotape and closed-circuit television equipment to remain in courthouses and/or portable equipment to be used by courthouses in other jurisdictions; provide training in videotape and closed-circuit interviewing to law enforcement, prosecutors, and related staff; prepare booklets outlining the legal requirements and procedures involved in the use and operation of videotape and closed-circuit televising; and provide training to appropriate staff in the setup and operation of the equipment. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Criteria for selecting proposals are contained in the Program Solicitation.