FEDERAL AGENCY:

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

AUTHORIZATION:

Victims of Crime Act of 1984, as amended, Public Law 98-473; Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996; Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997, Public Law 104-298; Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, Public Law 106-386; and the USA Patriot Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56.

To provide assistance programs for victims of mass violence and terrorism occurring within and outside the United States and a compensation program for victims of international terrorism.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Funds are available specifically for services to victims of terrorism or mass violence, and compensation benefits for victims of international terrorism. Funded activities for victims of terrorism or mass violence may include emergency relief, including crisis response efforts, assistance, training and technical assistance, and ongoing assistance, including during any investigation or prosecution to victims of terrorist acts or mass violence occurring within and outside the United States. Compensation for victims of international terrorism is specifically for expenses incurred for medical, mental health, funeral and burial, lost wages and loss of support, and other miscellaneous costs.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Criteria will vary depending on the grant. For terrorism or mass violence occurring outside the U.S., eligible applicants for funding under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act, include States, victim service organizations, and public agencies (including federal, State or local governments) and non-governmental organizations that provide assistance to victims of crime. The USA Patriot Act of 2001 expanded the list of eligible applicants for funding in response to cases of terrorism or mass violence within the United States to include not only States and U.S. Attorneys Offices, but also victim service organizations, public agencies (federal, State and local) and non-government organizations that provide assistance to victims of crime. For an applicant to be eligible to receive compensation under the International Terrorism Victim Compensation Program (ITVCP) as authorized under VOCA, Title II, 1404C, 42 U.S.C. 10603c, an individual must be a national of the United States or an officer or employee of the U.S. Government, as of the date on which the act of international terrorism occurred. In addition, the individual must have suffered direct physical or emotional injury or death as a result of an act of international terrorism occurring on or after December 21, 1988, with respect to which an investigation or prosecution was ongoing after April 24, 1996.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Public and private nonprofit victim assistance agencies; victims of domestic and international terrorism. Eligibility depends on the nature of the grant but may include a wide variety of public and private nonprofit agencies. Under the International Terrorism Victim Compensation Program, beneficiaries include victims, family member or dependent of a victim of international terrorism.

Credentials/Documentation:   Applicants, except Federal agencies, must submit (1) SF424, Application for Federal Funding and applicable assurances and forms; and (2) Budget and budget narrative including a description of all other federal and nonfederal contributions (cash or in-kind). Applications for the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program must be submitted to the OVC Director as soon as practical following a terrorist or mass violence event by the appropriate State or federal official or private victim service and non-governmental organizations. OVC has developed an application kit for Antiterrorism and Emergency Reserve dollars. The kit is available on the OVC web-site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc at the "grants and funding" page and will be mailed or faxed to potential applicants upon request.

Pre-application Coordination:   The standard application form furnished by the Federal agency in accordance with 28 CFR, Part 66 (Common Rule) must be used for all grants made by OVC. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Applications will be accepted following an incident of terrorism or mass violence in accordance with the timetable set forth in the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program Guidelines. Applications for the International Terrorism Victim Compensation Program will be accepted upon a determination that an act of international terrorism has occurred. There are two factors that determine the application submission requirements for the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program: 1) the applicant status, i.e., government agency (federal, State, or local), non-governmental organization, or victim service organization; and 2) the type of support requested, i.e., crisis response, consequence management, criminal justice, victim compensation, technical assistance (no direct funding). Application requirements are listed below. Application requirements for State crime victim compensation programs - Funding will be made available to State crime victim compensation programs in response to an incident of terrorism within the United States in the form of a grant. Requests for funding from State crime victim compensation programs may be made at anytime and should include: 1) a description of the qualifying crime; 2) the projected number of claims to be paid and the projected number of claimants to receive payments; 3) the State's maximum award amount by category, i.e., medical, mental health, loss wages, funeral, etc.; and 4) SF424, Application for Federal Assistance and applicable assurances and forms. The request should also describe the range of expenses covered by the program and the amount of State funding available to cover victim claims. Application requirements for all other recipients of funds - All other applicants seeking Emergency Reserve support are required to submit a letter of request containing the following information: 1) Type of crime and description of the criminal event; 2) Identification of the lead law enforcement agency conducting the investigation; 3) Estimated number of victims affected by the crime; 4) Description of the applicant's role in responding to the victim population since the date of the incident; 5) Description of services that funding will support and how these efforts will complement services in place or respond to an unmet need; 6) The amount of funding requested and the time frame for support; and 7) Description of outreach and coordination with other public and private entities in the process of preparing the request for assistance. In addition, applicants, except Federal agencies, must submit (1) SF424, Application for Federal Funding and applicable assurances and forms; and (2) Budget and budget narrative including a description of all other federal and nonfederal contributions (cash or in-kind). To Request Training and Technical Assistance Support - Training and Technical Assistance may be requested by submitting a letter describing the nature of the problem; the type of expertise or assistance needed; the duration of assistance; and the projected outcomes of the technical assistance or training. See OVC guidelines published in the Federal Register (Vol. 67, No. 21, Thursday, January 31, 2002) for additional information on application requirements for the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program. Regulations for the International Terrorism Victim Compensation Program are pending publication in the Federal Register.

Award Procedure:   See OVC guidelines for award procedures for Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program for Terrorism and Mass Violence Crimes funding published in the Federal Register, Vol. 67, No. 21, Thursday, January 31, 2002. Upon receipt and internal review of a complete application, it is the intention of OVC to notify applicants of funding decision within 5 business days or as soon as practicable. The applicant may be notified by telephone, Internet or facsimile. (See Application Kit for Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program, page 6 and Errata Sheet for further details.)

Deadlines:   See OVC guidelines for Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program for Terrorism and Mass Violence Crimes published in the Federal Register, Vol. 67, No. 21, Thursday, January 31, 2002). The established time frames for funding are flexible and not intended to prohibit the submission of applications at a different time, if warranted. However, applicants should make every available effort to submit applications within the maximum parameters of the grant (Crisis Response Grant, up to 9 months; Consequence Management Grant, up to 18 months; Criminal Justice Support Grant, up to 36 months.) For the International Terrorism Victim Compensation Program, victims/claimants have up to 3 years from the date a declaration that an act of international terrorism has occurred to submit an application for compensation.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   See OVC guidelines for approval/disapproval time for Antiterrorism and Emergency Reserve funding, published in the Federal Register, Vol. 67, No. 2, Thursday, January 31, 2002. It is OVC's intention to make a funding decision within 5 business days of receipt of a complete application or as soon as practicable. An award determination under the ITVCP shall be made within 120 days of receipt of a complete application and accompanying documentation. This time frame may be extended in cases in which OVC seeks independent consultation regarding documented or future expenses, or for complexity or volume of cases, or for administrative purposes. At the discretion of the Director, priority may be given in processing applications of victims of international terrorism incidents with the earliest ITVCP designation dates. With respect to incidents bearing the same ITVCP designation date, priority may be given to applications relating to expenses associated with the earliest act of international terrorismm occurring outside the Unite States.

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

Renewals:   See OVC guidelines for Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program for Terrorism and Mass Violence Crimes published in the Federal Register, Vol. 67, No. 21, Thursday, January 31, 2002. Not applicable to the International Terrorism Victim Compensation Program.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   There are no formula or matching requirements. Nonfederal contributions (cash or in-kind) are expected for Antiterrorism and Reserve Fund dollars; Federal agencies are not expected to make a contribution. Not applicable to the International Terrorism Victim Compensation Program, except that the amount awarded will be offset by collateral sources.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   For grants, dollars remaining unspent by the State or program within 3 fiscal years after the end of the fiscal year in which the award was made, will revert to the Crime Victims Fund/Emergency Reserve. Funds are released via the Electronic Transfer System (formerly the Letter of Credit System) on an as needed basis to the Recipient.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Quarterly financial reports and semi-annual progress 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. International Terrorism Victim Compensation Program recipients are required to report amounts received from collateral sources.

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. Not applicable to the International Terrorism Victim Compensation Program.

Records:   Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to a grant shall be retained for a period of 3 years. Original receipts will be required for the International Terrorism Victim Compensation Program.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   15-5041-0-2-754.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $21,131,166; FY 02 est $17,241,274; and FY 03 est $50,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Varies depending on terrorism/mass violence event and specific need(s).

With the increased threat of terrorism against Americans worldwide, OVC created a new Terrorism and International Victims Unit (TIVU) which is responsible for developing programs and initiatives to help victims of terrorism, mass violence and crimes that have transnational dimensions. OVC has provided funding for assistance and services for victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the USA, Oklahoma City, the bombings of Pan Am 103, the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, Khobar Towers, the USS Cole, and the terrorist attack in Bali, Indonesia. 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; and 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. In FY 2003, OVC will continue many of these projects as well as setting aside money in the Antiterrorism and 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 Compensation Program.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program Application Kit and current edition of the OJP Financial Guide, which are available by writing to Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice, 810 Seventh Street, NW., Washington, DC 20531, or calling (202) 307-5983.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   None.

Headquarters Office:   For Antiterrorism and Emergency Fund assistance contact Barbara Johnson, Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice, 810 Seventh Street, NW., Washington, DC 20531. Telephone: (202) 307-5983.

Web Site Address:   http://www.usdoj.gov/ovc

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Potential projects may include, but are not limited to: crisis response grants to provide resources to help victims rebuild adaptive capacities, decrease stressors, and to reduce symptoms of trauma immediately following the terrorism or mass violence event; consequence management grants designed to provide supplemental resources to help victims adapt to the trauma event and to restore victims' sense of equilibrium; criminal justice support grants to facilitate victim participation in an investigation or prosecution directly related to the terrorist and mass violence event; crime victim compensation grants to provide supplemental funding to a State crime victim compensation program that reimburses victims for out-of-pocket expenses related to their victimization in cases of terrorism or mass violence occurring within the Untied States; training and technical assistance for States and local communities to help when responding to terrorism and mass violence; and compensation to victims of acts of international terrorism that occur outside the United States for expenses associated with that victimization.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

General criteria for selecting proposals are spelled out in the guidelines, regulations, and application kits for these programs. Additional criteria may be developed by the Office for Victims of Crime and will be published in the application packages.