Violence Against Women Formula Grants (16.588)
Program
16.588 Violence Against Women Formula Grants
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Authorization
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994; Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, Sections 2001-6, 42 U.S.C. 3796gg to gg-5, as amended; Violence Against Women Act of 2000, Public Law 106-386.
Program Number
16.588
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To assist States, Indian tribal governments, tribal courts, State and local courts, and units of local government to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violent crimes against women, and to develop and strengthen victim services in cases involving crimes against women. The Program encourages the development and implementation of effective, victim-centered law enforcement, prosecution, and court strategies to address violent crimes against women and the development and enhancement of victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women.
Types of Assistance
Formula Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
A State, Indian tribal government, or unit of local government shall not be entitled to funds under this program unless the State, Indian tribal government, or another governmental entity incurs the full out-of-pocket cost of forensic medical examinations for victims of sexual assault. Further, a State shall not be entitled to funds under this program unless it (1) certifies that its laws, policies, and practices do not require, in connection with the prosecution of any misdemeanor or felony domestic violence offense, or in connection with the filing, issuance, registration, or service of a protection order, or a petition for a protection order, to protect a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault, that the victim bear the costs associated with the filing of criminal charges against the offender, or the costs associated with the filing, issuance, registration, or service of a warrant, protection order, petition for a protection order, or witness subpoena, whether issued inside or outside the State, tribal or local jurisdiction or (2) assures the Attorney General that its laws, policies, and practices will be in compliance with these provisions by the date on which the next session of the tribal state legislature ends or October 28, 2002. Grants shall provide personnel, training, technical assistance, data collection and other equipment for the most widespread apprehension, prosecution, and adjudication of persons committing violent crimes against women. States must allocate a minimum of 25 percent of each year's grant award to each of the following areas: prosecution and law enforcement. In addition, States must allocate a minimum of 30 percent to victim services, a minimum of 5 percent to courts. The remainder of the funds may be spent at the discretion of the state within the statutory purpose areas.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
All States, Commonwealths, territories, and possessions of the United States, as well as the District of Columbia, are eligible. Funds will be subgranted to units of state and local government, state, local, and tribal courts, nonprofit nongovernmental victim services programs, and Indian tribal governments.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State and local units of government, nonprofit nongovernmental victim services programs, state, local, and tribal courts, and Indian tribal governments.
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 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. This would be if the State has selected the program for review. Application forms furnished by the Federal agency, in accordance with 28 CFR, Part 66 (Common Rule), must be used for this program.
Application Procedure
Applicants submit proposals to the Office of Justice Programs on the Internet through the OJP Grants Management System(GMS). 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. 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 Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs.
Renewals
Applications are submitted on an annual basis.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The Federal share of these grants may not exceed 75 percent of the total costs of the projects described in the applications. Non-profit, nongovernmental victim service programs are exempt from the match. States may satisfy this 25 percent match through in-kind services. Indian tribes that are subgrantees of a State under this program may meet the 25 percent matching requirement for this program by using funds appropriated by Congress for the activities of any agency of an Indian tribal government or for the activities of the Bureau of Indian Affair performing law enforcement functions on any Indian lands. All funds designated as match are restricted to the same uses as the Violence Against Women Program funds and must be expended within the grant period.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funds are released via the Phone Activated Paperless System (PAPRS) or Letter of Credit Electronic Certification System (LOCES) on an as needed basis to the State. The State in turn subgrants the money to the eligible public and/or private nonprofit programs via drawdowns.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Quarterly and final financial reports and an end-of- grant program performance report will be required, as stipulated in the program regulations and the effective edition of the OJP Financial Guide. In addition, States must provide a statistical summary of persons served, detailing the nature of victimization and providing data on age, sex, relationship of victim to offender, geographic distribution, race, ethnicity, disability, and the number of persons served in any underserved population. Grantees must also file a report explaining the activities carried out and an assessment of the effectiveness of those activities, including the number of persons served and the numbers of persons seeking services who could not be served.
Audits
All organizations that expend financial assistance of $300,000 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
The award recipient must keep complete records on disposition of funds.
Program Accomplishments
As of fiscal year 2001, each State and territory received a base award of $500,000 plus additional funds based on the population of the State or territory.
Financial Information
Account Identification
15-0404-0-1-754.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $117,379,854; FY 03 est $134,782,204; and FY 04 est $130,891,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Base amount $600,000 to each State, Commonwealth, and territory, and the District of Columbia. or possession of the United States. Remaining dollars will be distributed based on population.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
OJP Financial Guide is applicable.
Related Programs
16.587, Violence Against Women Discretionary Grants for Indian Tribal Governments; 16.589, Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Enforcement Grant Program; 16.590, Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders.
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
Training and technical assistance for prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement officers on issues relating to sexual assault and domestic violence; enhancement of services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence; and creation of investigative and prosecutorial units to handle cases involving violent crimes against women.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
All applications submitted by the Chief Executive Officer of a State, or his or her designee, will be accepted by the grantor Federal Agency for consideration.
