Demonstration Grants for Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking

 

The Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) currently funds the following three programs under the Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking (DVHT) Program. In FY 23, under the DVHT Program model, OTIP funded the Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking- Services and Outreach (DVHT-SO) Program and the Victims of Human Trafficking in Native Communities (VHT-NC) Demonstration Program. Under the DVHT-SO Program, the following activities are required: 1) Provide comprehensive, culturally responsive, and linguistically appropriate case management and victim assistance to domestic individuals who have experienced human trafficking and 2) Conduct outreach to increase identification of domestic individuals who have experienced sex and/or labor trafficking. Under the VHT-NC Program, the following activities are required: 1) Provision of comprehensive, culturally responsive, and linguistically appropriate case management and victim assistance to adult and minor Native American victims of human trafficking; 2) Outreach efforts to increase identification of Native American victims of sex and labor trafficking; and 3) Training for service providers and community partners. Both the DVHT-SO Program and the VHT-NC Program are informed by a whole family approach that focuses equally and intentionally on services and opportunities for victims and their immediate family members living within their households. Both programs encourage the establishment of community partnerships, meaningful engagement of survivors, and the hiring of qualified professionals who reflect the communities being served in all project implementation strategies. Additionally, in FY 23, OTIP funded the Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education (HTYPE) Demonstration Program. The primary purpose of the HTYPE Demonstration Program is to fund local educational agencies (LEA) to develop and implement programs to prevent human trafficking victimization through the provision of skills-based human trafficking training and education for school staff and students. The HTYPE Demonstration Program will fund LEAs to establish a cohesive strategy, with the support of a partnered nonprofit or nongovernmental organization (NGO), to build the capacity to provide all aspects of human trafficking prevention education to students and school staff. Beginning September 30, 2023, OTIP will fund three new cohorts of the DVHT-SO Program, VHT-NC Program, and HTYPE.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
93.327
Federal Agency/Office
Administration For Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 It is anticipated that 12 grants will be awarded 13 grants were awarded.
Fiscal Year 2017 13 grants were awarded.
Fiscal Year 2018 13 grants were awarded.
Fiscal Year 2019 11 non-competing continuations were awarded under the DVHT Program.
Fiscal Year 2020 OTIP received 59 applications, and awarded 12 grants under the DVHT-SO Program. OTIP received 9 applications, and awarded 6 grants under the VHT-NC Demonstration Program. OTIP received 10 applications, and awarded 6 grants under the HTYPE Demonstration Program.
Fiscal Year 2021 OTIP did not award new awards in 2021 but issued Non-Competing Continuation (NCC) awards for all existing recipients.
Fiscal Year 2023 OTIP continued funding to 6 awards under the DVHT-SO Program, and 3 awards under the HTYPE Demonstration Program. OTIP will issue 3 new awards under VHT-NC, and 4 new awards under the HTYPE Demonstration Program.
Fiscal Year 2024 OTIP anticipates issuing funding to 5 DVHT-SO new awards in FY 24.
Authorization
22 US Code § 7105(f) (Section 107(f) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended; and Section 213(a)(1) of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, Public Law -110–457, 22 U.S.C. 7105(f)
Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2018, Public Law 115-425
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
For DVHT Programs, which includes DVHT-SO and VHT-NC, eligible organizations include: state governments, tribes, units of local government, and non-profit, non-governmental victim service organizations. OTIP defines victim service organizations as those that by nature of their current operations serve victims of sexual assault, sexual violence, domestic violence, human trafficking, and youth homelessness. Victim service organizations may also include faith-based organizations, non-profit federally qualified health centers, and other non-profit health care facilities that serve or plan to serve victims of human trafficking. Individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible. Institutions of higher education and for-profit organizations are not eligible. For the HTYPE Demonstration Program, in accordance with the authorizing statute, eligible applicants for funding will include local education agencies (LEAs). A LEA is a public board of education or other public authority legally constituted within a state for either administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service function for, public elementary schools or secondary schools in a city, county, township, school district, or other political subdivision of a state, or for a combination of school districts or counties that is recognized in a state as an administrative agency for its public elementary schools or secondary schools. A LEA is also an elementary or secondary school funded by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), which includes BIE operated schools and tribally controlled schools operated pursuant to either a Tribally Controlled Schools Act (25 U.S.C. 2501 et. seq.) award or an Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et. seq.) contract, but only for the limited purpose of providing eligibility for a award assistance under federal award programs for which BIE funded schools would otherwise not be eligible. See 20 U.S.C. ? 7801(30)(C). LEAs may apply on their own or as the lead applicant for a consortium of LEAs. A consortium is a project carried out by a lead applicant and one or more other organizations that are separate eligible legal entities. LEAs must partner with a nonprofit or NGO to be eligible. The nonprofit or NGO partner must either be located within the geographic area of the proposed project or have a national scope and experience in implementing similar projects in multiple geographic locations.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Eligible beneficiaries for the DVHT-SO Programs include United States citizens and lawful permanent residents who are victims of severe forms of human trafficking as defined by the TVPA of 2000, as amended. Eligible beneficiaries for the VHT-NC Demonstration Program are limited to Native American victims of severe forms of human trafficking, as defined by the TVPA of 2000, as amended. Eligible beneficiaries for the HTYPE Demonstration Program are K-12 aged students enrolled in local educational agencies.
Credentials/Documentation
All applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier number, be registered in the SAM prior to submitting an application, and have an active SAM registration. Non-profits must submit proof of Non-Profit status documentation.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants may find and apply to NOFOs on https://www.grants.gov.
Award Procedure
Each application will be screened to determine whether it meets any of the disqualifying factors: missing the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, or exceeding the Award Ceiling. Disqualified applications are considered to be "non-responsive" and are excluded from the competitive review process. Applications competing for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated by objective review panels using only the criteria described in Section V.1. Criteria of the NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. Results of the competitive objective review are taken into consideration by ACF in the selection of projects for funding; however, objective review scores and rankings are not binding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. If identified in Section I. Program Description, ACF reserves the right to consider preferences to fund organizations serving emerging, unserved, or under-served populations, including those populations located in pockets of poverty. In addition, ACF reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g., ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF will also consider the geographic distribution of federal funds in its award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 90 to 120 days. Contact the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Grants Management or review the NOFO, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Awards are generally made for 3-year or 5-year project periods. Non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with award terms and conditions and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the federal government.
How are proposals selected?
Information on evaluation criteria for awarding funds can be found in the NOFO.
How may assistance be used?
Programs funded under the DVHT Program, including DVHT-SO and VHT-NC, fund comprehensive culturally and linguistically responsive case management services to domestic victims of trafficking. Eligible recipients for DVHT Program services include United States citizens and lawful permanent residents in select states. DVHT Programs leverage existing systems, fill in service gaps, and build capacity of direct service providers. Under the DVHT Program, OTIP requires a comprehensive case management approach that providers to uses trauma-informed and person-centered approaches in all project activities. Comprehensive case management services for the program include, but are not limited to referrals, emergency assistance (such as food and clothing), and support to gain access to housing, employability services, mental health assistance, substance use assistance, medical care, and some legal services. The HTYPE Demonstration Program funds LEAs as prime recipients to partner with a nonprofit or NGO to build the capacity of selected schools to provide skills-based human trafficking prevention education for educators, other staff, and students, and establish a human trafficking specific school protocol that addresses the safety, security, and well-being of staff and students. The HTYPE Demonstration Program is informed by the public health approach, which focuses on defining and monitoring the problem, identifying risk and protective factors, developing and testing prevention strategies, and assuring widespread dissemination.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Performance progress reports for the DVHT-SO Program, VHT-NC Demonstration Program, and HTYPE Demonstration Program are required on a quarterly basis. Performance monitoring for all programs will be conducted by desk monitoring and on-site visits.
Auditing
45 CFR Part 75 Subpart F applies to this program.
Records
Recipients (and subrecipients) are required to keep all reports necessary for program review and audit in accordance with 45 CFR 75.361-365 terms and conditions.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is mandatory. 25%. There is a 25% matching requirement for the DVHT Program. The match may be met through cash or in-kind contributions.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are generally made for 3-year or 5-year project periods with funding on an annual basis. Starting in FY22, HTYPE awards were made available for a 5-year project period. In the first year of the project, awards were made on a competitive basis. Award applications will be considered on a noncompetitive basis for subsequent years until the conclusion of the project period subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the recipient, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the Federal Government. Post award, our Division of Payment Management will establish an account from which a recipient may draw down award funds.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Katherine Chon
330 C. Street, SW., 4th Floor
Washington, DC 20201 US
Katherine.Chon@acf.hhs.gov
Phone: 2024019372
Website Address
https://www.acf.hhs.gov/otip
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-1503-0-1-609
Obligations
(Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$5,762,022.00; FY 23 est $1,976,331.00; FY 24 est $3,476,331.00; FY 21$3,749,690.00; FY 20$3,749,690.00; - DVHT-SO(Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$1,494,059.00; FY 23 est $1,000,000.00; FY 24 est $1,000,000.00; FY 21$1,494,059.00; FY 20$1,494,059.00; - VHT-NC(Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$5,867,459.00; FY 23 est $3,292,401.00; FY 24 est $3,424,295.00; FY 21$4,367,460.00; FY 20$4,367,460.00; - HTYPE
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
In FY 2023, DVHT-SO Program awards ranged from $277,696 per budget period to $360,000 per budget period. The average award per budget period was $329,388. In FY 2023, VHT-NC Demonstration Program awards ranged from $300,000 per budget period to $333,333 per budget period. The average award per budget period was $333,333 per budget period. In FY 2023, HTYPE Demonstration Program awards ranged from $450,000 to $500,000. The average award per budget period was $489,185.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Not applicable.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.

 


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