USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Up to 75 percent of total project grant costs may be funded through Federal
assistance.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Limited competition-- a state
or local unit of government that has in effect a law allowing the
closed-circuit televising or video taping of testimony of children in criminal
proceedings relating to the abuse of children.
Beneficiary Eligibility: State and local criminal
justice agencies; Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and
personnel; public non-profit organizations, and youth benefit from this
program.
Credentials/Documentation: Eligible states and
units of local government.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:
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 respective state for
more information on the process the state requires to be followed in applying
for assistance. The standard application forms (SF-424) as furnished by the
Federal agency in accordance with 28 CFR, Part 66 (Common Rule), must be used
for this program.
Application Procedure: Applicants must follow the
instructions contained in the solicitation for the Closed-Circuit Televising
of Testimony of Children Who Are Victims of Abuse Grant Program and submit a
fully executed application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, 810 Seventh
Street, NW. Fourth Floor, Washington, DC 20531, Attention: Closed-Circuit TV
Program Manager. Applicants should submit an original and two copies of the
application, along with an electronic copy of the application on disk in
WordPerfect or Word for Windows, to BJA for review. BJA must receive the
application at least 90 days prior to the anticipated start date of a new or
continuation award.
Award Procedure: BJA reviews applications for
completeness, accuracy, and compliance with all program requirements. Upon
approval by the Assistant Attorney General, OJP, award letters and award
documents are sent to the grantee. One copy of the grant award must be signed
by a duly authorized representative and returned to BJA.
Deadlines: The deadline dates vary. Contact BJA
for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Applications
must be approved no later than 60 days after first received unless the
Director of BJA informs the applicant of specific reasons for disapproval.
Appeals: None.
Renewals: A project must submit a written request
justifying the need for the extension and how the extension would be
consistent with the objectives of the grant 60 days prior to the expiration of
the current grant.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: Projects are
awarded 75 percent of the total project costs. A match of 25 percent is
required.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Grantees
selected for awards will be funded for a period of 12 months.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Reporting requirements for grants and
projects awarded under this program are articulated in the OJP Financial
Guide, as well as in the program solicitation.
Audits: Payments and transactions are subject to
audits by the General Accounting Office, the Department of Justice's Office of
the Inspector General, State or local government auditors, and auditors from
independent public accounting firms. Jurisdictions must follow their local
policies and procedures, including maintenance of reliable and accurate
accounting systems, record keeping, and systems of internal control.
Records: Recipients of Federal funds are expected
to retain documentation supporting all program transactions for at least 3
years after the closure of audit reports related to such funding. If any
litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving records has
been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be
retained until completion of the action and resolution of all related issues,
or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 15-0404-0-1-754.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $1,728,418; FY 02 est
$1,083,188; and FY 03 est $998,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
Approximately 10 to 15 grants ranging from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum
of $100,000 per grant.
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
In fiscal year 2001, the American Bar Association (ABA) received an award of
$363,731 to evaluate the 2000- 2001 CCTV projects to determine the
effectiveness and impact of the funded projects in reducing the trauma to
child abuse victims during criminal hearings or trials. On June 26-27, 2001
the ABA organized a two-day evaluation conference to assist grantees in
developing individual evaluation plans; provide technical assistance to
grantees in developing individual evaluation plans and obtaining the data
needed to assess the projects; and, on the preparation of a final report
documenting the assessment, best practices, lessons learned, and
recommendations to improve the CCTV Program.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Financial Guide, Office of the Comptroller, Office of Justice Programs; BJA's
Program Guide and Application Kit for the Closed-Circuit Televising of
Testimony of Children Who Are Victims of Abuse Grant Program.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: None.
Headquarters Office: Office of Justice Programs,
Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice, 810 Seventh Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20531. Telephone: (202) 514-5943.
Web Site Address: www.usdoj.gov/bja.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Applicants can use grant funds to: purchase videotape and closed-circuit
television equipment to remain in courthouses and/or portable equipment to be
used by courthouses in other jurisdictions; provide training in videotape and
closed-circuit interviewing to law enforcement, prosecutors, and related
staff; prepare booklets outlining the legal requirements and procedures
involved in the use and operation of videotape and closed-circuit televising;
and provide training to appropriate staff in the setup and operation of the
equipment.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Criteria for selecting proposals are contained in the Program Solicitation.
