Legal Assistance for Victims (16.524)
Program
16.524 Legal Assistance for Victims
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Authorization
Violence Against Women Act of 2000, Section 1201, 42 U.S.C. 3796gg-6.
Program Number
16.524
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
These grants are for increasing the availability of direct legal services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in matters arising from the abuse or violence. The goal is to develop innovative, collaborative programs within the legal system that promote victim safety and increase victim economic autonomy.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Discretionary).
Uses and Use Restrictions
The Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program provides an opportunity for communities to enhance legal assistance for victims. Funds may be used: (1) to implement, expand, and establish cooperative efforts and projects between domestic violence and sexual assault victim services organizations and legal assistance providers to provide legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault; (2) to implement, expand, and establish efforts and projects to provide legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault by organizations with a demonstrated history of providing direct legal or advocacy services on behalf of these victims; and (3) to provide training, technical assistance, and data collection to improve the capacity of grantees and other entities to offer legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible grantees for this program are private, nonprofit entities, Indian tribal governments, and publicly funded organizations not acting in their governmental capacity. Grantees must certify that any person providing legal assistance has completed or will complete training that was developed with a domestic violence or sexual assault coalition or program and that the grantee's policies do not require mediation or counseling of offenders and victims together. Grantees must also verify that any person or organization providing legal assistance has informed and will continue to inform State, local, or tribal domestic violence or sexual assault programs and coalitions and appropriate State and local law enforcement of their work.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Beneficiaries include public or private nonprofit entities providing legal assistance primarily to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and or stalking.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments, and OMB Circular No. A-110 for Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals and Other Nonprofit Organizations.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office 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 forms furnished by the Federal agency, in accordance with 28 CFR pt. 66 (Common Rule), must be used for this program.
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit proposals to the Office of Justice Programs on Standard Form 424 (Federal Assistance Applications). The receipt, review, and analysis of applications will follow Office of Justice Programs policies and procedures for the administration of grant applications. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedure
Upon approval by the Office of Justice Programs, a letter is sent to the applicant agency with copies of the Grant Award. Successful applicants also are listed on the OJP website. One copy of the Grant Award must be signed by an authorized official and returned to the Office of Justice Programs.
Deadlines
Contact the Violence Against Women Office in the Office of Justice Programs for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Hearing held by the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs. We do not have an appeals process and if we suggest that there is, we will receive on avalanche of inquiries.
Renewals
Continuation grant awards are competitively selected and determined on a case-by-case basis.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This is not a formula grant program. Grants will be made for amounts up to 100 percent of the costs of the project contained in the approved applications. Matching is not required for this grant program; however applicants are encouraged to maximize the impact of Federal grant dollars by contributing to the costs of their projects. Supplemental contributions may be case, in-kind services, or a combination of both.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Up to 24 months. Funds are released on an as-needed basis to the grantee.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Semi-annual progress and quarterly financial reports are required, as stipulated in the program regulations and the effective edition of M7100.1, Financial and Administrative Guide for Grants. Upon completion of the grant period, grantees shall file a performance report explaining the activities carried out and including an assessment of the effectiveness of those activities in achieving the purposes of the program, including number of persons served and numbers of prisons seeking services who could not be served.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organization," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
The award recipient must keep complete records on disposition of funds.
Program Accomplishments
If you want total grant dollars awarded up to and including FY 2001 it is $94,000,000.
Financial Information
Account Identification
15-0404-0-1-754.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $31,229,679; FY 03 est $42,587,316; and FY 04 est $40,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Varies depending on size of project.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
OJP Financial Guide is applicable. Legal Assistance for Victims Grantee Policy Guidebook.
Related Programs
16.588, Violence Against Women Formula Grants; 16.589, Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Enforcement Grant Program; 16.590, Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders; 16.587, Violence Against Women Discretionary Grants for Indian Tribal Governments.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Violence Against Women Office, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice, 810 Seventh Street, NW., Washington, DC 20531. Telephone: (202) 307-6026.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Direct legal services (e.g., representation in protection order, family law, or housing matters) for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; law school clinical programs and curricula on domestic violence; projects that establish partnerships between local domestic violence or sexual assault programs and legal services providers.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Criteria are established by the Office of Justice Programs and are included in an annual Application Kit.
