FEDERAL AGENCY:

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

AUTHORIZATION:

Title VIII, Part E, of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, 20 U.S.C. 1152; as amended; Violence Against Women Act of 2000, Public Law 106-386.

To encourage institutions of higher education to adopt comprehensive, coordinated responses to violence against women, including sexual assault, stalking, dating and domestic violence. Funds are authorized to enhance the apprehension, investigation, and adjudication of persons committing violent crimes against women on campuses; train campus administrators, security personnel, and disciplinary or judicial boards to effectively identify and respond to violent crimes against women on campuses; implement and operate education programs for the prevention of violent crimes against women on campuses; develop, enlarge or strengthen support services for victims; create, disseminate, or otherwise provide assistance and information about victims' options on and off campus to bring disciplinary or other legal action; develop and implement more effective campus policies, protocols, orders, and services specifically devoted to prevent, identify, and respond to violent crimes against women on campuses; develop, install, or expand data collection and communication systems, including computerized systems, linking campus security to the local law enforcement for the purpose of identifying and tracking arrests, protection orders, violations of protection orders, prosecutions, and convictions; develop, enlarge or strengthen victim service programs for the campus and to improve the delivery of victim services on campus; provide capital improvements (including improved lighting and communication facilities but excluding construction of buildings) on campuses to address violent crimes against women; and to support improved coordination among campus administrators, campus security personnel, and local law enforcement to reduce violent crimes against women on campuses.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

Applicant Eligibility: Institutions of higher education as defined under the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 that are in compliance with the campus crime reporting requirements set forth in 20 U.S.C. 1092 (f) as amended by Public Law 105-244, 112 Stat. 1581, Sec. 486 (e) (1998). A consortia of institutions of higher education may also apply for these grants provided that each individual consortium member is also eligible to apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility: Institutions of higher education.

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.

Pre-application 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, 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 must apply through the on-line OJP Grants Management System (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps). 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: Approximately 120 days after receipt of an application.

Appeals: None.

Renewals: Renewals are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Formula and Matching Requirements: Grants will be made for amounts up to 100 percent of the costs of the programs or projects 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 cash, 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.

Reports: Each grantee receiving funds under this Subpart shall submit semi-annual progress reports. Upon completion of the grant period, the institution 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. In addition, grantee must provide the Violence Against Women Office annual statistics on the numbers of victims served, gender, ethnicity, relationship to offender, type of victimization, language, disability, and the number of victims seeking services who were turned away for services.

Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," 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.

Account Identification: 15-0404-0-1-754.

Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $10,131,907; FY 02 est $11,791,426; and FY 03 est $10,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $143,000 to $550,000; $360,000.

During fiscal year 2001, grants were awarded on September 30, 2001.

OJP Financial Guide is applicable.

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.

Howard University in Washington, D.C. will use these funds to create a sexual assault and domestic violence community task force, which includes representatives from campus and community organizations, including the Third District of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and victim services agencies. Michigan State University will educate resident assistants, incoming students, sorority and fraternity members, athletes and university staff about violence against women and consequences for offenders. Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee will use its grant to conduct training for student health center doctors and nurses and Vanderbilt Medical Center emergency room staff on responding to domestic violence. Idaho State University will institute an education program for athletes and improve safety on campus by installing blue emergency telephones and enhanced lighting.

Criteria are established by the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 and published program guidelines.