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. Place Cursor Here for Definition
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.
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:
Approximately 120 days after
receipt of an application.
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.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification:
15-0404-0-1-754.
Obligations:
(Grants) FY 01 $31,229,679; FY 02 est $42,587,316; and FY
03 est $40,000,000.
If you want total grant dollars awarded up to and including FY 2001 it is
$94,000,000.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
OJP Financial Guide is applicable. Legal Assistance for Victims Grantee Policy
Guidebook.
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:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov.
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.
