FEDERAL AGENCY:

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

AUTHORIZATION:

Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protections Act of 2000; Public Law 106-386; 42 U.S.C. 10420, Sec. 1301.

To provide an opportunity for communities to support supervised visitation and safe exchange of children, by and between parents, in situations involving domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Grants are available to States, Indian tribal governments, and units of local government that propose to enter into or expand the scope of existing contracts and cooperative agreements with public or private entities to provide supervised visitation and safe visitation exchange of children by and between parents in situations involving domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault or stalking. All applicants are encouraged to enter into a collaborative working relationship with State or local courts and a nonprofit, nongovernmental entity in the local community served, including the State or tribal domestic violence coalition, State or tribal sexual assault coalition, local shelters, and programs for domestic violence and sexual assault victims.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Eligible applicants are States, Indian tribal governments, and units of local government.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Beneficiaries include criminal and tribal justice practitioners and service providers who work with children in situations involving domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault 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.

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 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. 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 an application due date.

Appeals:   Not applicable.

Renewals:   Renewals are considered on a case-by-case basis; however, this program has not been authorized beyond fiscal year 2002.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

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. Match 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.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Semi-annual progress and quarterly financial reports are required, as stipulated in the program regulations and the effective edition of the OJP Financial Guide. 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.

Audits:   Nonfederal entities that expend $300,000 or more in Federal funds (from all sources, including pass-through sub-awards) in the organization's fiscal year shall have a single organization-wide audit conducted in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133. The audit report is due to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse not later than nine months after the end of the recipient's fiscal year.

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 $0; FY 02 est $7,500,000; and FY 03 est $7,500,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Not available.

New program. Not available.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

The OJP Financial Guide is applicable.

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.usdoj.gov/vawo.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

Not applicable. No awards have been made at this time.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Criteria are established by the Office of Justice Programs and included in an annual Application Kit.