Crime Victim Assistance/Discretionary Grants (16.582)

Program

16.582 Crime Victim Assistance/Discretionary Grants

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Justice
Office: Office Of Victims Of Crime

Authorization

42 U.S.C. 10603(c)(1)(A); 42 U.S.C. 10603(c)(1)(B); 42 U.S.C. 10603d(a); and 42 U.S.C. 10603e(a).

Program Number

16.582

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) administers a discretionary grant program and other assistance programs for crime victims with amounts set-aside from deposits into the Crime Victims Fund for (a) demonstration projects and training and technical assistance services to eligible crime victims assistance programs; and (b) for the financial support of services to victims of Federal crime by eligible crime victim assistance programs. The purpose of the demonstration and training and technical assistance grants is to improve the overall quality of services delivered to crime victims through the provision of training and technical assistance to providers. Of the amount available for training and technical assistance and services to victims of Federal crimes, no less than 50 percent shall be used for demonstration programs and training and technical assistance, and not more than 50 percent for services to victims of Federal crimes.

Types of Assistance

DIRECT PAYMENTS FOR A SPECIFIED USE; PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds are available specifically for (a) demonstration projects and training and technical assistance service to eligible crime victim assistance programs; and (b) for the financial support of services to victims of Federal crime by eligible crime victim assistance programs. For the purpose of the grants authorized in 42 U.S.C. 10603, an eligible crime victim assistance program is defined as: (a) operated by a public agency or a nonprofit organization, or a combination of such agencies or organizations or both such agencies and organizations, and providing service to victims of crime; (b) demonstrating (i) a record of providing effective services to victims of crime and financial support from sources other than the Fund; or (ii) substantial financial support from sources other than the Fund; (c) utilizing volunteers in providing such services, unless to the extent the chief executive determines that compelling reasons exist to waive this requirement; (d) promoting within the community served coordinated public and private efforts to the crime victims; and (e) assisting potential recipients in seeking crime victim compensation benefits. For the purpose of grants authorized for assistance to victims of federal crime, services includes (a) training of law enforcement personnel in the delivery of services to victims of Federal crime; (b) preparation, publication, and distribution of informational materials, setting forth services offered to victims of crime; and concerning services for victims of Federal crime for use by Federal law enforcement and other responsible Federal officials; and (c) salaries of personnel who provide services to victims of crime, to the extent that these personnel provide such services.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Criteria will vary depending on the grant or grant program. Generally, eligible applicants may include American Indian/Alaska Native Tribes and tribal organizations, States, United States Attorneys' offices, universities and colleges, eligible public agencies that provide victim services and private nonprofit agencies. Applicants for Tribal Victim Assistance grants must be an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, partnership or nonprofit organization that provides direct services to victims of crime in Indian Country.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Eligible victim assistance agencies. Eligibility depends on the nature of the grant but may include a wide variety of public and private nonprofit agencies.

Credentials/Documentation

Competitive applications under this program must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov or the Office of Justice Programs Grants Management System, as specified. OVC develops solicitations and application guidelines that includes funding strategy, eligibility requirements, required certifications that must be submitted at a time specified by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs and must contain the following certification and assurances: (1) assure that the applicant will provide such accounting, auditing, monitoring and evaluation procedures as may be necessary, and keep such records as the Office of Justice Programs may prescribe, to assure fiscal control, proper management and efficient disbursement of Federal funds; (2) assure that the applicant will adhere to the audit and financial management requirements set forth in the effective edition of the OJP Financial Guide; (3) assure that the applicant will comply with all applicable nondiscrimination requirements including civil rights compliance, non-discrimination against eligible applicants that are faith or community-based organizations, services to persons with Limited English Proficiency, and protection of human research subjects; (4) certify that the applicant will comply with certifications regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension, and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (OJP Form 4061/6); and other responsibility matters; and, (5) certify that the information in the application is correct and that the applicant will comply with all applicable provisions of the Victims of Crime Act and other Federal laws, (including subtitle A, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990) regulations, and circulars. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 or OMB Circular No. A-133. Applicants from other types of agencies will use forms to be provided by OVC. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. In accordance with the Common Rule, Standard Form 424 must be submitted electronically at Grants.gov by nonfederal agencies in applying for funding under this program. Forms for funds other than grants or for use by Federal agencies will be supplied by OVC. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure

Generally awards will be made on a competitive basis with applications reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts who will assess application submissions based on established criteria and forward a recommendation to the Director. The Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs has final approval authority.

Deadlines

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

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 4 to 6 months.

Appeals

Hearing by the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs.

Renewals

Awards range from 6 to 24 months, unless otherwise noted. Supplements are considered on a case by case basis. (See OVC guidelines for the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program for Terrorism and Mass Violence Crimes.).

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: There are no formula or matching requirements for discretionary funding, unless stated in the funding applications. The State Victim Assistance Academy grants require a 25 percent "in-kind" match. The Tribal Victim Assistance Discretionary Grants requires a 10 percent "in-kind" match, which increases to 15 percent and 25 percent, respectively, for the 2nd and 3rd years of the award. The Counseling and Faith-Based Services for Crime Victims in Indian Country for Crime victims in Indian Country by Faith-Based Organizations grants require a 10 percent "in-kind" match per year. The Children�s Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities grant program does not require a match during the current competitive cycle. Federal agencies are not expected to provide a financial contribution, but in general are asked to demonstrate a commitment to continuing the funded effort after OVC funding is terminated.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Any amount awarded that remains unspent at the end of a fiscal year in which the award is made may be expended for the purpose for which the award is made at any time during the three succeeding fiscal years, at the end of which period, any remaining unobligated sums shall be available for deposit into the emergency reserve fund referred to in subsection (d)(5) of the VOCA at the discretion of the Director. Any remaining unobligated sums shall be returned to the Fund. Funds are released via the Electronic Transfer System (formerly the Letter of Credit System) on an as needed basis to the Recipient. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Please contact the program office for more information.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Program reports are not applicable. Cash reports are not applicable. Semi-annual progress reports will be required as stipulated by the program office. A final financial and program report also will be required. Quarterly financial reports will be required as stipulated in the effective edition of the OJP Financial Guide. A final financial and program report also will be required. Performance measure data is required, as stipulated in the solicitation.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. All organizations that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in any fiscal year must have a single audit for that year in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-133, as amended, unless the audit condition on the award says otherwise. These audits are due to the cognizant Federal agency not later than 9 months after the end of the grantee's fiscal year.

Records

Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to a grant shall be retained for a period of three years.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: OVC supports the development of training, technical assistance, and demonstration projects to expand and improve the quality of services to crime victims. In recent years, OVC has directed substantial funding to developing resources for the field that will assist victim advocates and other allied practitioners in reaching and serving victims from populations that have been largely underserved including victims with disabilities, immigrant victims, victims in rural areas or large urban centers, victims from cultural, ethnic and racial minority groups, teen victims, and victims who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning. Serving child and adult victims of sexual assault remains problematic for many communities, and OVC continues to support several training and technical resources that foster the replication of Sexual Assault Response Teams across the nation, OVC also funds a biennial Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) National Training Conference to provide multi-disciplinary training to SART members. Various other solicitations provide funding for projects in Indian Country. These grants support victim assistance programs for Indian tribes under Federal criminal justice jurisdiction, including 28 victim assistance programs, one elder abuse demonstration program, a training and technical assistance grant for OVC's American Indian/Alaska Native grantees, tribal CASA programs, grants to support faith-based organizations which provide counseling services to American Indian/Alaska Native crime victims, and a project to provide training to tribal leaders on the critical role of their support of tribal victim assistance programs. OVC also has funded the planning and implementation of State Victim Assistance Academies to meet the entry-level educational and training needs of a broad range of victim assistance providers and allied professionals who work directly with victims of crime. OVC also supports public awareness initiatives on crime victims' rights and issues, including the annual dissemination of a resource kit to the field to assist their activities during National Crime Victims Rights Week (NCVRW) and the sponsorship of an annual NCVRW awards ceremony for exemplary service providers and organizations. OVC has funded several key projects that focus on strengthening collaboration and cross-training between victim assistance and faith-based providers, in order to improve services for crime victims. In FY 2007, OVC funded discretionary programs to assist victims of identity theft and financial fraud Also in FY 2007, OVC funded the development and delivery of a National Professional Training Conference on Responding to Victims of Crime with Disabilities to be held in 2009 and two national demonstration projects designed to replicate successful multidisciplinary response models to victims with disabilities. In FY 2008, OVC continued many of these initiatives and also funded initiatives for postsecondary educational institutions to incorporate crime victims� issues into college and university curricula; new State Victim Assistance Academies; new public awareness and outreach campaigns for underserved communities; and for counseling and faith-based services to victims in Indian Country, among others. OVC has continued to fund assistance and services for victims of terrorist attacks. Assistance has included toll-free information lines, Family web sites, informational briefings, travel to criminal Justice proceedings, and mental health counseling. In addition, OVC works in liaison with other Federal agencies to coordinate services for victims of terrorism; has worked with the Center for Mental Health Services at HHS to develop training for mental health service providers on assisting victims of terrorism and mass violence; is working with the Office for Domestic Preparedness to provide training to enhance the capacity of first responders to deal effectively with victims of terrorism; provides funding for a community-based assessment and planning process to help states and local communities design and implement a strategic plan for responding to victims of criminal mass violence; and provides funding to track kidnapped children taken across international borders (in parental abductions) to help their left-behind parents attend court hearings and return to the US with their children. In FY 2009, OVC continued many of these projects as well as set aside money in the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve to respond to future incidents of terrorism and mass violence occurring both within the United States and abroad and to fund an International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program. Other examples of programs to be funded in FY 2009 include intensive case management programs for family members of homicide victims in rural areas; tribal victim assistance programs, including the Tribal Victim Assistance Program, the Counseling and Faith-Based Services in Indian Country program and the National Court-Appointed Special Advocates in Indian Country initiative; identity theft victim assistance collaborative networks; and new public awareness and outreach programs focused on underserved communities as well as national-scope partnership projects with allied professionals. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

15-5041-0-2-754.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $9,381,027; FY 09 est $28,723,000; FY 10 est $31,892,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

For the Federal Crime Victims Division, awards range from approximately $40,000 to $500,000 with an approximate average of $75,000 per award. For the Program Development and Dissemination Division from $25,000 to $1,000,000 with an average of $150,000.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Current solicitations and application guidelines and the current edition of the OJP Financial Guide, are available on line at the OVC webpage at http://www.ovc.gov.

Related Programs

16.320 Services for Trafficking Victims; 16.321 Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve; 16.575 Crime Victim Assistance

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Office for Victims of Crime 810 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20531 Phone: 202-307-5983

Web Site Address

http://www.ovc.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Potential projects include, but are not limited to: demonstrations programs that assist victims in rural communities or those programs meeting the needs of special populations such as immigrant victims, victims with disabilities and other underserved populations, and victims of identity theft and financial fraud; training and technical assistance for States and local communities to help when responding to terrorism and mass violence; training to improve or expand victim services provided by particular groups of professionals such as judges, prosecutors, law enforcement professionals, and medical personnel. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

General criteria for selecting proposals are spelled out in the Victims of Crime Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 10601-10604 (Supp. 1981). Additional criteria may be developed by the Office for Victims of Crime and will be published in the OJP grant packages.