Section I: Program Announcement
Award Amount. $300,000 total. Awards range from $50,000 to $75,000 per grant, with $150,000 designated for mental health-related projects, and $150,000 for healthcare- related projects.
Award Period. 12 -24 months (applicant's discretion).
Goal. The goal of the grant is to improve services to crime victims from healthcare and mental health professionals.
Purpose. The purpose of the grant is to develop or improve the capacity of members of national scope healthcare and mental health professional and membership organizations to respond to the needs of crime victims. This purpose is in keeping with recommendations in OVC's action plan for the victim assistance field, New Directions from the Field: Victims' Rights and Services for the 21st Century, that address incorporation of crime victimization issues in the training and protocols of mental health and medical professionals.
Background. In past years, OVC funded a series of innovative, national-scope projects with professional and membership organizations. These projects focused on developing and improving the capacity of their members to respond effectively to the needs of crime victims through activities that provided information and training to their members on crime victims' rights and needs. Healthcare and mental health practitioners frequently interact with crime victims, although they may not have been formally trained in the best ways of doing so. Chapter 7, Health Care Community, and Chapter 8, Mental Health Community, in New Directions include several recommendations regarding the need for training of healthcare and mental health providers and decision-makers. New Directions can be viewed on the OVC website at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/.
Program Strategy. Healthcare and mental health practitioners need to be sensitized and educated on the dynamics of victimization and its impact on victims, their families, and the community. Training and education on victimization should begin during practitioners' initial education in professional schools, followed with continuing education and information throughout their professional careers. To address this need, OVC invites proposals to develop quality, State-of-the art training or training materials at the professional or continuing education level, or to develop professional guidelines for protocols and procedures that improve healthcare and mental health responses to crime victims. This solicitation targets organizations representing healthcare, healthcare administration, public health, managed care, and mental health professionals who provide or direct life-line services to crime victims. Examples of activities that OVC may fund under this grant proposal include, but are not limited to, the following:
Applicants should ensure that their proposed products or activities do not duplicate existing resources. This does not preclude applicants from adapting or expanding available resources to meet the specific needs of the targeted professional group for training and information on crime victimization. Applicants who request funding to support regularly occurring or previously scheduled conferences must clearly demonstrate that requested funding will not supplant existing funding, and will result in new training activities and/or materials that focus on crime victimization issues.
All interim and final products are subject to OVC review and approval. As part of the review process, OVC may ask other agencies within the Department of Justice to review and provide substantive feedback on all products produced as a result of this project. All products may also be subject to an external peer review process.
With some exceptions (such as mailing costs for periodical subscriptions), OVC will assume responsibility for the duplication and dissemination of products and materials, such as brochures, videotapes, or training curricula. If a videotape is produced, the grantee will provide OVC with a master copy of the videotape as well as all video footage taken during the development of the video. The grantee will provide OVC a copy of any written materials in hard copy and on disk in WordPerfect format. Materials must be in final draft form and may be further edited and formatted by OVC.
Eligibility Requirements. Applicants must represent a nonprofit, national-scope membership, professional, or affiliation group and must demonstrate the financial and organizational capability to manage this project. Local and State chapters of a national-scope group are eligible to apply if the proposed project activities and/or materials are relevant to chapters across the nation, can be readily replicated by other chapters, and a strategy for disseminating information on the project to other chapters is included in the proposal. Applicants should review the eligibility requirements described in Section II of this application kit. In addition to these requirements, applicants must convincingly document the following in their proposal:
Application. Applicants must follow the guidance provided in Section II, Instructions for Application Narrative. Applicants are reminded that VOCA funding cannot be used to support research, prevention, or offender-oriented services or activities.
Application Due Date. Friday, May 14, 1999
Contact Person. Joye Whatley, 202-305-1715 and 202-514-7863 (TTY only). E-mail: WhatleyJ@ojp.usdoj.gov.
Victim-Oriented Practices in the Healthcare Community
Award Amount. $75,000.
Award Period. 18-24 months (applicant's discretion).
Goal. The goal of this project is to improve services to underserved crime victims in healthcare settings.
Purpose. The purpose of this project is to develop resource materials for the healthcare community to promote the replication of inclusive, effective responses to underserved crime victims.
Background. Responding effectively to victims of crime requires the dedicated efforts of many professionals, including those in the healthcare community. Crime victims suffer psychological trauma, and all too frequently, long term health consequences as a result of their victimization. The provision of sensitive, effective care in clinical settings is a critically important response to victims in the aftermath of crime. Yet, many victims -- low-income, minorities, those in rural areas or inner cities, those with disabilities -- do not receive needed medical and other support services to help them begin and continue the process of physical and emotional healing.
Program Strategy. This project will fund the development of a report that: (1) describes problems and barriers in identifying and caring for underserved crime victims in a variety of healthcare settings; and, (2) details inclusive, victim-oriented practices developed by healthcare organizations and professionals in response to these victims' needs. Funding will also support a companion videotape that illustrates some of the victim-oriented practices described in the report. By using a variety of settings and responses to emphasize the important role of healthcare organizations and professionals in recognizing and caring for these underserved victims, this report and videotape should appeal to a broad spectrum of the healthcare field.
Underserved victims may be categorized by the type of crime (for example, drunk driving, sexual assault, child abuse victims, etc.) as well as the demographic characteristics. (For example, status as non-English speaking residents, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, members of racial or ethnic minorities, or residents of rural, remote, or urban areas, etc.). To underscore the national scope of this project and its appeal to a broad array of healthcare practitioners, the grantee should address several groups of underserved victims and describe a variety of healthcare responses designed to assist them. Healthcare responses are not limited to strictly clinical applications, but could include, for example, innovative, victim-oriented practices implemented by healthcare administrators in the insurance or managed care sectors.
Project tasks include the following:
All interim and final products are subject to OVC review and approval. As part of the review process, OVC may ask other agencies within the Department of Justice to review and provide substantive feedback on all products produced as a result of this project. All products may also be subject to an external peer review process.
OVC will assume responsibility for duplication and dissemination of the report and the videotape; therefore, only expenses associated with dissemination of information on the project (such as conference or workshop presentations) should be included in the budget. Expenses related to the duplication of a small number of videotapes for retention and use by the grantee as part of the dissemination plan will also be allowed. The grantee will furnish OVC with (1) a master copy of the videotape as well as all video footage taken during the development of the video, and (2) a well-written report (in hard copy and on disk in WordPerfect format) that will be edited and formatted by OVC for publication as an OVC Bulletin. Applicants are advised to review examples of previous OVC Bulletins on the OVC Website at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/.
Eligibility Requirements. Potential applicants should review the eligibility requirements described in Section II of this application kit. In addition to these requirements, applicants' proposals must convincingly document the following:
Application Due Date. Friday, May 14, 1999
Contact Person. Joye Whatley, 202/305-1715, 202/514-7863 (TTY only). E-mail: WhatleyJ@ojp.usdoj.gov.
National Crime Victims' Rights Week Kit (Cooperative Agreement)
Award Amount. $100,000.
Award Period. 12 months.
Goal. The goal of this project is to heighten and support public awareness of crime victim issues nationwide.
Purpose. The purpose of this project is to produce ready-made, adaptable resource materials such as posters, model speeches, press releases, a public service announcement, and commemorative activities for use during National Crime Victims' Rights Week 2000.
Background. Each April since 1982, National Crime Victims' Rights Week has been formally designated and commemorated at the Federal level. The Federal observance coincides with rallies, vigils, and public education campaigns staged in communities across the nation. The widespread observance of the event presents a unique opportunity to articulate a consistent and unified message about the plight of our nation's crime victims and to draw attention to the work of advocates and activists seeking to restore balance to the administration of criminal justice.
Program Strategy: This solicitation invites applications for one grantee to conceptualize, develop, and produce a user-friendly National Crime Victims' Rights Week Kit for use by victim service providers, advocates, elected leaders, and the general public. Project tasks and deliverables will include the following:
All interim and final products are subject to OVC review and approval. As part of the review process, OVC may ask other agencies within the Department of Justice to review and provide substantive feedback on all products produced as a result of this project. All products may also be subject to an external peer review process.
OVC will assume responsibility for dissemination of all products, including the kit, the posters, and the videotape; therefore, do not include costs associated with the mailing of these items in the project budget.
Eligibility Requirements. Eligible applicants must demonstrate the following: organizational and financial capability to complete this project successfully in the allotted 12-month period; basic knowledge of victim issues; and, previous public relations experience.
Application. Applicants must follow the guidance provided in Section II, Instructions for Application Narrative.
Application Due Date. Friday, May 14, 1999
Contact Person. Bill Brantley, 202-616-3574. E-mail: Brantley@ojp.usdoj.gov.
State Victim Assistance Academies (Cooperative Agreements)
Award Amount. $140,000 for four planning grants at $35,000 each. Based upon grantee performance and the availability of future funds, continuation funding will be available for two subsequent years. Second year funding is projected at $100,000 each and third year funding at $60,000 each. A financial and/or in-kind match for 25% of each year's grant will be required. In addition to funding, OVC will ensure that technical assistance is from OVC's National Victim Assistance Academy project staff and faculty is made available to grantees to assist in this multi-year effort.
Award Period. 12 months with the potential for an additional 24 months.
Goal. The goal of this grant program is to assist States in developing effective strategies for establishing State Victim Assistance Academies (SVAA).
Purpose. The purpose of this grant is to support State efforts to provide comprehensive, academically-based, fundamental education for victim assistance providers, victim advocates, criminal justice personnel, and allied professionals who routinely interact with victims of crime.
Background. The victim assistance movement has grown significantly in the last 15 years. Victim assistance programs have become part of the nation's criminal, Tribal, military, and juvenile justice infrastructure. Victim service providers, victim advocates, and allied professionals with a wide variety of practical experience, training, and education are now working in many settings from District Attorneys' offices to correctional institutions to battered women's shelters and rape crisis centers. A growing awareness among practitioners of the complex needs of crime victims has resulted in a demand for more coordinated, multidisciplinary responses. The establishment of SVAAs would provide a comprehensive, basic-level victim assistance curriculum to victim service providers and allied professionals which would greatly enhance their professional efforts.
Recognizing the need for a high quality curriculum, OVC funded the development of the first National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) in 1995. The Academy is coordinated by the Victims' Assistance Legal Organization (VALOR). The 1999 Academy sites include the following: California State University, Fresno; the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston; University of New Haven, CT; American University, Washington DC; Washburn University, Topeka, KS; and most recently, Sam Houston State University, TX. When NVAA was launched, one of OVC's long-range goals was to encourage a victim assistance course of study in colleges and universities across the country.
In FY 98, Michigan State University submitted a concept paper to OVC to establish a SVAA. With OVC funding, supplemented with university and State VOCA funding, Michigan held the first OVC-sponsored State academy in August 1998. Faculty members from the NVAA provided technical assistance and resource material, and Michigan adapted part of the the NVAA curriculum to meet the needs of advocates and practitioners in Michigan. The university, in partnership with the Michigan victim assistance community, intends to continue to sponsor an academy annually.
This solicitation is intended to encourage similar initiatives in other States with the ultimate goal of establishing a nationwide network of State academies capable of meeting the foundation level educational needs of a broad range of victim assistance providers and allied professionals.
Program Strategy. This solicitation will support four States in phase one of the establishment of a State academy. The overall 3-year project has several core components which are listed below:
In addition to funding, OVC will support the four grantees by providing access to the following throughout the course of the grant:
Since FY 99 funding is intended to support year 1 planning activities, this solicitation will focus on describing year one tasks and product requirements.
1. Planning/Steering Committee
A major task during phase one is to establish a diverse planning/steering committee to plan and manage the project. As the response to victimization increasingly requires partnerships among multiple providers, the composition of a planning/steering committee should mirror these partnerships. At a minimum, commitments of support for establishing a State academy will be needed from the State VOCA Victim Compensation and Assistance Administrators, an accredited college/university, the State Attorney General's office (where applicable) and key Statewide victim advocacy coalitions and groups. Coordination with the U.S. Attorney's office is recommended. This broad- based, diverse support is critical to ensure the success of the project in year 1 and beyond, and will be one of the criteria for continued OVC funding.
2. State Training Assessment
Some States have recognized the diversity of the victim assistance workforce and have established minimum training requirements for their victim assistance providers, while others have already sponsored educational programs. The steering committee should oversee an assessment of existing State-sponsored educational initiatives and victim assistance training resources, determinating how existing training initiatives and resources will combine with or complement the SVAA.
3. Partnership with Academia
Establishing a partnership with the academic community is essential and involves several components, including the provision of academic credit through an accredited college or university; the establishment of a college/university as the host site; and,
the use of expert faculty to develop State-specific curricula and to oversee the Academy. A college/university should also be able to provide in-resident faculty; low-cost dormitory housing and dining facilities; large and small classroom space to accommodate both plenary and smaller breakout groups; and, a computer laboratory with Internet access and sufficient computers to allow students to effectively participate in a "hands-on" demonstration of the use of technology to enhance service capabilities.
4. Curriculum Design
The NVAA curriculum is a 45-hour course with a text of over 600 pages. Updated annually, the text has been reviewed by the California State University and Medical University of South Carolina faculties and approved for academic credit through their criminology and psychology departments respectively. The text covers 36 subject areas and serves as the basis for the course curriculum. Each chapter contains an abstract, learning objectives, and a self examination. Chapters also include relevant research, current statistical overviews, and summaries of relevant Federal and State legislation. The text also covers the historical background of each topic, including its evolution and current societal status. The course format includes lectures and discussions, experiential exercises, working group assignments, interactive on-line computer experience, and self-examinations for each issue area. The NVAA considers interactive exercises that help students apply this knowledge are considered essential. The Michigan State Academy also used interactive learning techniques.
The goal of this grant is to provide a comprehensive, basic-level knowledge base to victim assistance providers, victim advocates, and criminal justice personnel. OVC expects the NVAA syllabus will provide the core of the State academy's curriculum, with each State adding State information, elective courses, and interactive exercises as deemed necessary.
As the NVAA curriculum has been carefully developed and tested through multiple presentations, OVC will not fund the development of new and separate educational curricula. However, States receiving funding under this solicitation are encouraged to use a small portion of the planning grant and year 2 funding to develop State-specific supplements and interactive exercises.
5. Student Selection
In year 1 of the grant, the steering committee should begin to formulate the student selection criteria, including a method for screening students, and finalize the process in year 2. The Michigan Academy encouraged attendance by community "teams" of providers to help promote a coordinated community response to crime victimization. At the NVAA, a selection committee chooses students after reviewing students' applications and two letters of recommendation. In their selection criteria, grantees are encouraged to emphasize student diversity based on geographic location, demographics, and professional agency affiliation.
6. Staffing Issues
The steering committee should also address staffing issues, including the type and number of staff needed to plan, organize, and manage the State academy. In addition to choosing staff to direct the project and to provide administrative support, the committee should address the selection of teaching faculty and determine which courses will be taught by college/university faculty and which can be presented by local agency and advocacy group representatives. OVC encourages a blend of practitioners and academicians. Finally, the committee must identify a method for helping teaching faculty develop presentations with an interactive format. The NVAA Training of Teachers course, which incorporates State-of-the-art adult learning principles into a universal training format, will be available as a resource in this effort.
7. Financial Plan
Another first year activity must include the development of a viable financial plan for continued match of OVC Federal funds in years 2 and 3, and for continuation of the SVAA in years 4 and beyond. Although VOCA funds cannot be used as a match for this grant, OVC has issued guidance to State VOCA administrators authorizing them to make available a percentage of their one percent training dollars and five percent of their administrative funds to supplement OVC funding for the development and implementation of State academies.
8. Product Requirements
At the end of the first year, OVC will require each grantee to create a guide describing the year 1 planning phase. The guides must be submitted to OVC; they will be used to provide technical assistance to other States interested in establishing State academies. The guide should, at a minimum, describe: 1) the process of selecting and organizing the steering committee; 2) the process of obtaining support from State victim assistance providers, victim advocates, and criminal justice personnel; 3) the strategies for overcoming the inevitable challenges of establishing a State academy; 4) the process of obtaining financial support; 5) the scope and findings of the training assessment and what effects it had for the planning process; and, 6) the process for developing the State-specific materials to supplement the NVAA core curriculum.
Eligibility Requirements. Only one application per State will be considered. Eligible applicants must demonstrate (in writing) the following:
Application. Applicants must follow the guidance provided in Section II, Instructions for Application Narrative.
Application Due Date. Friday, May 14, 1999
Contact Person. Marilyn Keel, 202-616-3575. E-mail: KeelM@ojp.usdoj.gov.
Victims' Services Professional Development
Award Amount. $150,000.
Award Period. 12 -18 months.
Goal. To provide a "think tank" forum in which the field of victim services can develop practice standards (both organizational and individual) and a framework for implementation of consistent, quality services to crime victims.
Purpose. To convene a broad consortium of national and state leaders from the victim services field who will develop strategies for establishing individual and organizational practice standards for the enhancement of the quality of services available to crime victims.
Background. The field of victim services has matured considerably over the last decade. Through its national scope training and technical assistance efforts, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has kept pace with this forward progression of the victims' movement by supporting a variety of initiatives designed to gain understanding of the needs of crime victims and of those diverse individuals and organizations who serve them.
On December 9, 1996, OVC held a focus group to identify ways OVC and the victim services field might proceed to professionalize services offered to victims of crime. Participants' views varied widely on the best ways to professionalize the field. However, the focus group did urge OVC to maintain a central role in furthering the national goal of professionalizing the field and to support the development of practice standards for victim service providers. In addition, OVC has obtained extensive feedback from the field on a myriad of other important issues through the creation of a voices from the field document titled, "New Directions from the Field: Victims' Rights and Services for the 21st Century." The contributors to this document recommended that a national commission be established to develop certification and accreditation standards for those working in the victim advocacy and assistance field. (Chapter 6, "New Directions for the Victim Assistance Community")
Victim service providers frequently face difficult legal and ethical issues in their day-to-day work. To assist, many states are taking steps to establish minimum training requirements and/or certify victim advocates. Several universities have developed departments, programs, curricula, and courses on victimology or victims' rights and services. The rapid development of ideas, services, and programs has fragmented the field into a proliferation of different approaches and goals for assisting victims. OVC seeks to facilitate the development of a strategy that will:
Program Strategy. This solicitation invites applicants to develop an effective method to convene the leadership organizations of the victims' field and to facilitate exploration of service standards and training and collaborative practices. In addition, OVC expects a thoughtful plan that addresses methods for obtaining input from the diverse field of victim service providers (both paid and volunteer). The applicant should address the following tasks:
Products/Deliverables. At a minimum, the final products will include the following:
Eligibility Requirements. Eligible applicants must demonstrate documented experience with strategic planning, consensus building, group facilitation, and an understanding of the implications and processes involved in the development of standards and training for national and professional organizations. Applicants must demonstrate a general knowledge of victimization issues and the organizational capability to convene a diverse group, manage the group process, accurately record the proceedings, and develop a lucid, precise plan for future action.
Application Due Date. Friday, May 14, 1999.
Contact Person. Olga Trujillo, 202-616-3585
VICTIM ASSISTANCE IN INDIAN COUNTRY (VAIC) DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM
Award Amount. $40,000-$60,000 range for the first year, with continuation funding for a second and third year, contingent upon the grantee's performance, the success of the project, and the availability of Federal funds. Tribes may apply for funding above the $40,000-$60,000 range; however, they must document this need. For example, they should use statistics showing the number and types of victims served, the number of staff needed, and number and types of cases handled. Data must concretely show that the additional amount is needed to provide direct services to victims of crime.
OVC has allocated $1,000,028 for this initiative in FY 1999 and anticipates funding up to 20 grants. Funding support may be provided for up to three years. For each of the three eligible funding years, the Tribal program will be reviewed for its development and success. If the program is meeting its objectives, it may remain eligible for up to three years of funding.
An in-kind match is required each year. The purpose of the in-kind match is to obtain Tribal commitment to the program to ensure its continuation after the OVC funding ends. The in-kind match must be in the form of staff time, facilities (office space and utilities), time, or agency partnerships. Volunteer time may be used as in-kind match.
Award Period. 12 months, with potential continuation grants for 24 additional months.
Goal. To improve the quality of direct services for victims of crime in Indian Country.
Purpose. To provide seed funding to establish reservation-based victim assistance programs in remote areas of Indian Country where there are limited or no services for victims of crime.
Background. OVC initiated the VAIC Discretionary Grant Program in 1988 to establish reservation-based victim assistance programs in Indian Country. Based on discussions with Tribal leaders, OVC in 1996 investigated new ways to carry out the government-to-government relationship between the Federal government and Indian Tribes. In FY 1997, OVC initiated a new strategy to provide direct victim assistance funding to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, while encouraging States to heighten their efforts to support additional Tribal programs with State VOCA victim assistance grant funds.
To ensure continuity of funding and facilitate a smooth transition to this new direct funding strategy, OVC continued to support 31 VAIC grant recipients in FY 1997 at the FY 1996 funding level. In FY 1997, OVC increased the amount dedicated to the VAIC program to one million dollars, an increase of $260,000 over FY 1997 funding. The increased funding was used to implement a VAIC competitive grant program, and six new programs were funded. Based on working group recommendations and dialogues with the field, the VAIC grant program will become a totally competitive program, with awards based on documented needs.
New and existing programs may apply for this award. Existing programs are expected to demonstrate an increase in services and activities.
Program Strategy. This solicitation invites applicants to conceptualize, develop, and implement a VAIC program designed to improve the ability of the Tribe to provide direct services to victims of crime in Indian Country. This Tribal program will conform with the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) victim assistance guidelines and VAIC program requirements. Some of the services that may be provided under the program follow:
The following services, activities, and costs are not generally considered direct crime victim services but may be considered for limited coverage under the program: skills training for staff; equipment and furniture; contracts for professional services; operating costs such as supplies, printing, postage, brochures that describe available services, books, and other victim-related materials; supervision of direct service providers such as volunteer coordinators; repair and/or replacement of essential items; and presentations made in schools, community centers, or other public forums designed to identify crime victims and provide or refer them to needed services.
The program seeks to fund those Tribal programs that show the capacity to coordinate with other agencies that serve crime victims. Coordination with the following agencies will be a key factor in ranking grantee proposals: U.S. Attorneys' offices; Federal Bureau of Investigation field offices; State VOCA administrators; Bureau of Indian Affairs Law Enforcement Services; the Indian Health Service; and other appropriate agencies. Tribal programs that demonstrate community outreach and establish strong working relationships with outside and inter-Tribal agencies will receive consideration above those that do not.
As soon as a grant award is made, the Tribe must be ready to hire the program staff as described in the original grant proposal. The hiring of program staff should be implemented within the first two months, if not sooner, of the grant award. Prolonged delays in hiring (six or more months) is disfavored and may affect the program's opportunity for second and third year funding. Applicants are therefore encouraged to discuss the proposed VAIC program with their Tribal Chairperson, Tribal Council, and other Tribal agencies prior to submission of the application to solicit their support and approval of the plan.
A Tribal Resolution must be included with the application that approves commitments and activities for the first year of the grant. For the second and third years, the activities or implementation plans should be outlined in sufficient detail to provide a sense that the proposed program will continue to develop and be a permanent Tribal/Federal partnership that continues past the Federal funding period. Applicants should also consider that, from time to time, program staff may be asked to participate in OVC-sponsored conferences and training sessions to describe demonstration practices, provide program materials and handouts, serve as trainers, or participate in discussion groups and serve on panels.
Eligibility Requirements. Eligible applicants are Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and non-profit organizations that provide direct services to victims of crime in areas of Indian Country that are under Federal criminal jurisdiction.
Applications must be signed by the chief executive officer of the Tribe or organization. In those cases where the Tribal Council serves as the governing body, the application must be signed by the Chairman of the Council or other recognized leader of that group.
Application Narrative. Each applicant must submit a narrative of not more than ten (10) pages that addresses the areas listed below. These areas will form the basis for the selection criteria.
1. Describe the need for the program by indicating the following: (40 points).
2. Program Implementation. (40 points)
3. Program Organization. (10 points).
4. Program Budget. (10 points)
See the Budget Detail Worksheet in the forms appendix to the application kit. You must enter budgeted items and their costs on this form. Applicants must justify the cost of individual items such as personnel, travel, etc. and show how they were computed. Applications containing contracts must include detailed budgets for each organization's expenses. Funds cannot be used for construction costs.
Applicants must include the following in the budget:
(2) The Seventh Indian Nations Conference to be held in Tulsa, OK, September 1999. Budget $1,000 for the program staff person to attend.
(3) Computer equipment and training. Budget an appropriate amount.
(4) Monthly fees for an Internet service provider for access to the OVC Web page and to have E-mail capability to communicate with OVC staff and other grantees. Budget an appropriate amount.
This program requires documentation of 10 percent in-kind matching funds. (Cash is not required). No indirect costs are allowed in the VAIC program budget.
Application Due Date. Friday, May 14, 1999
Contact Person. Cynthia Darling, 202-616-3571. E-Mail: Cynthia@ojp.usdoj.gov.
Training and Technical Assistance for Victim Assistance in Indian Country (VAIC) Grantees
Award Amount. $100,000.
Award Period. 12 months, with potential continuation funding for 24 additional months.
Goal. The goal of this project is to ensure the successful establishment and implementation of victim assistance programs in Indian Country.
Purpose. The purpose of the VAIC Grant Program is to create permanent, accessible, and responsive victim assistance services on Indian Tribal lands governed by Federal criminal jurisdiction. This project will provide comprehensive, skills-building training and technical assistance to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations that have received funding under the VAIC Discretionary Grant Program.
Background. OVC initiated the VAIC Discretionary Grant Program in 1988 to establish "on-reservation" victim assistance programs in Indian Country. Beginning in FY 1997, victim assistance services were funded directly from OVC rather than through the States. In FY 1998, a total of $740,000 went to support programs previously funded through the States, and $260,000 was allocated for new programs through a competitive grants review process. In FY 1999, all applicants must participate in a competitive grants review process. Approximately 40 VAIC programs will exist in FY 1999.
Training and technical assistance has been available to VAIC grantees since the inception of the program through individual site visits and regional training events. The OVC grants monitor and the selected training and technical assistance organization will collaborate to determine program needs.
Program Strategy. The tasks, products, and requirements of VAIC training and technical assistance provisions for year 1 of the training grant are listed below:
Eligibility Requirements. Eligible applicants are public or private, nonprofit agencies and organizations. Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter, including the VOCA Guidelines and VAIC program requirements. Applicants must also have expertise and experience in providing training and technical assistance, preferably to Tribes and Tribal organizations. During the selection process, preference will be given to organizations that are experienced in working with Native American organizations and with victims of crime.
Application. Applicants must follow the guidance provided in Section II, Instructions for Application Narrative.
Application Due Date. Friday, May 14, 1999
Contact Person. Cynthia Darling, 202-616-3571. E-mail: Cynthia@ojp.usdoj.gov.
Demonstration Victim/Witness Assistance Program in Indian Country
Award Amount. $50,000 for the first year, with continuation funding for a second and third year, contingent upon the grantee's performance, the success of the project, and the availability of Federal funds.
Award Period. 12 months, with potential continuation grants for 24 additional months.
Goal. The goal of this project is to improve the quality of direct services for victims of crime in Indian Country.
Purpose. The purpose of this project is to enhance an existing Tribal victim assistance program into a demonstration victim/witness program site. The project do the following:
Program Strategy. Applicants may consider requesting additional staff and travel funds that would enable them to provide the following:
Eligibility Requirements. Eligible applicants are Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and non-profit organizations that provide direct services to victims of crime on Indian reservations that are under Federal criminal jurisdiction. Applications must be signed by the leader or chief executive officer of the Tribe or the organization. In those cases where the Tribal Council serves as the governing body, the application must be signed by the Chairman of the Council or other recognized leader of that group.
Application. Applicants must follow the guidance provided in Section II, Instructions for Application Narrative.
Application Due Date. Friday, May 14, 1999
Contact Person. Cynthia Darling, 202-616-3571. E-mail: Cynthia@ojp.usdoj.gov.
Issues Report on Victims' Rights in Indian Country
Award Amount. $100,000.
Award Period. 18 months.
Goal. The goal of this project is to document promising approaches to ensuring victims' rights in Indian country.
Purpose. The purpose of this project is to develop an issues report that provides recommendations to assist leaders at the Tribal, State, and Federal levels to expand and enforce rights for victims of crime in Indian Country.
Background. Among the difficulties in ensuring victims' rights in Indian country are outdated Tribal laws, policies, and court procedures; inadequate and unstable funding for victim assistance services; a lack of cross-discipline training opportunities for Tribal and Federal judges and other judicial personnel, U.S. Attorneys' staff, law enforcement officials, social service providers, and other Federal employees on Indian specific issues. In addition, there is a need for intensive technical assistance and specialized training in victim advocacy and assistance issues. There is an absence of Indian representation in all areas of victim services, not just those areas identified as specifically dealing with Indian Country. The issues report proposed by this solicitation will provide information to assist leaders at the Tribal, State, and Federal levels expand and enforce rights for victims of crime in Indian communities.
Program Strategy. OVC began funding reservation-based victim assistance programs in 1988. This solicitation invites applicants to survey at least 25 Tribes to determine how much progress has been made toward establishing rights for crime victims in Indian Country, what rights and services have been established by various Tribes, and what barriers, beyond inadequate resources and funding, exist to enforcing victims' rights. In addition to the problems Stated above, the applicant should examine case tracking systems for child abuse victims, updated and improved investigative techniques, automated notification and tracking systems used by victim advocates, the effect of Tribal politics on implementing and enforcing victims' rights, and the effects of disclosure or privacy restrictions on victims' rights to be informed or notified of the status of cases.
The analysis should focus on the Tribe's law and order code to determine whether it includes Children's Bills of Rights, allows for victim impact Statements, or recognizes any other victims' rights, particularly rights that are accorded other Federal crime victims. In addition, the analysis should take into consideration geographically dispersed Tribes, urban Tribes, rural Tribes, and Tribes from Public Law 280 States.
The products will include a report that contains recommendations, survey guides, completed surveys, model codes, protocols, promising practices, and a dissemination plan. The targeted audience for the report will be leaders of Tribes and Tribal organizations.
Eligibility Requirements. Eligible applicants are American Indian and Alaskan Natives organizations; private, nonprofit agencies; educational institutions; and victim assistance agencies with expertise in Indian country victims' issues.
Application. Applicants must follow the guidance provided in Section II, Instructions for Application Narrative.
Application Due Date. Friday, May 14, 1999
Contact Person. Cathy Sanders, 202-616-3578. E-mail: Cathy@ojp.usdoj.gov.
Post Rape Stress Video for Indian Country
Award Amount. $75,000.
Award Period. 12 months.
Goal. To minimize victim anxiety during forensic medical exams and reduce acute and long-term post-rape distress for rape and sexual assault victims in Indian country.
Purpose. To develop a hospital-based video and instruction guide that describes forensic medical exam procedures to Indian victims of rape and sexual assault.
Background: Recent studies have shown elevated rates of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in victims of rape and sexual assault. Almost all reporting rape victims, including child and adolescent victims of sexual assault, meet the criteria for PTSD in the first few weeks after the rape incident; approximately half persist in a chronic course of symptoms for at least three months or more. Rape and sexual assault have also been associated with increased rates of anxiety disorders, weakened mental health, a disproportionate incidence of revictimization, and other risk factors. Taking steps to reduce acute post-rape anxiety might prevent long-term negative mental health outcomes. Many rape victims who report the crime to police are seen within hours after the assault for necessary forensic medical exams. Such contacts provide an opportunity to deliver acute post-rape intervention to target initial distress and anxiety. In fact, this contact may be the only opportunity to intervene with many child and adolescent victims in Indian Country.
Program Strategy. A video and instructional guide will be developed specifically for American Indian and Alaskan Native adolescent victims. Applicants are invited to conceptualize and develop a 15-minute video that could be shown to Indian sexual assault victims prior to forensic medical examinations. The video should provide information about, and a description of, exam procedures, using actors to depict victims undergoing each procedure. The video should be designed to make forensic exams less difficult and mental health outcomes less traumatic. In addition, the video will provide the victim information about recovery and coping skills, methods of recognizing and terminating inappropriate avoidance behavior, and strategies to improve mood while controlling anxiety levels.
Eligibility. American Indian/Alaskan Native organizations, educational and health institutions, and nonprofit video production companies. The applicant must demonstrate a familiarity with or the capability to coordinate with experts in post-rape stress issues, American Indian victims, and health providers. The applicant must possess video production capabilities.
Application. Applicants must follow the guidance provided in Section II, Instructions for Application Narrative.
Application Due Date. Friday, May 14, 1999
Contact Person. Cathy Sanders, 202/616-3578. E-mail: Cathy@ojp.usdoj.gov.
Training and Technical Assistance for Children's Justice Act (CJA) Partnerships for Indian Communities Grantees
Award Amount. $100,000.
Award Period. 12 months with potential funding for 24 additional months based upon performance.
Goal. The goal of this project is to assist CJA grantees in meeting the objectives of their grant programs and in improving the handling of child victim cases through the provision of culturally relevant training and technical assistance services.
Purpose. To provide culturally relevant skills-building training and technical assistance to American Indian and Alaskan Natives grantees who have received funding through the CJA Discretionary Grant Program. It is anticipated that up to 20 different grantees may require these training services.
Background: The CJA program is designed to develop demonstration projects in Indian communities for the purpose of improving the investigation, prosecution, and handling of child abuse cases, especially cases of child sexual abuse, in a manner that increases support for and reduces trauma to child victims.
OVC seeks to ensure that all Tribal programs funded by the CJA initiative are provided the training and technical assistance necessary to implement their projects successfully. Due to the uniqueness of each Tribe and the variations in size, location, availability of resources and services, legal structure, and law enforcement jurisdiction, OVC believes training and technical support is vital for these programs to achieve their Stated goals and objectives. Child abuse cases on Indian reservations may be investigated by State police, Tribal police, Bureau of Indian Affairs criminal investigators, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or others. Cases may be prosecuted in Federal, State, and/or Tribal courts. Formal protocols may or may not exist between agencies. In instances where they do exist, they may be fragmented or fail to incorporate a multidisciplinary approach for responding to child abuse, particularly child sexual abuse.
This grant will provide the necessary training and/or technical assistance for the Tribes to develop a multidisciplinary approach to investigating, prosecuting, treating, and advocating for victims of child abuse and child sexual abuse. The training will focus on strategies that minimize the trauma suffered by child victims and maximize the opportunity to provide assistance and services needed to support the child's recovery. Coordination of all entities at the Tribal, Federal, and State levels involved in child abuse cases will be addressed, as well as multidisciplinary approaches for accomplishing systemic change. The improvements are expected to become an ongoing part of the Tribal response.
Program Strategy. The recipient of this grant is expected to establish communications with each CJA grantee, review its grant application, and identify its training and technical assistance needs. The recipient is then expected to develop a comprehensive training and technical assistance strategy and/or delivery plan, including a training curriculum. The delivery plan should include items such as the types of technical assistance to be provided, the location for providing the assistance, the consultants who will present, anticipated attendance at the training, the reason the training/technical assistance was selected, the estimated cost of the training, the method to be used to assess the effectiveness of the training, the time period during which the training/technical assistance is to be provided, and a plan for responding to requests for follow-up training and technical assistance. OVC encourages maximum use of Internet communications capabilities.
OVC will approve the training and technical assistance delivery plan. Following OVC's approval, the recipient will conduct regional training sessions for several Tribes or provide on-site, individualized training for a given Tribe. If regional training events are selected, one regional training event must be conducted per quarter. OVC recognizes that the requests for training and technical assistance may exceed the availability of resources; therefore, it is very important that the recipient develop and prioritize a delivery plan that maximizes available resources.
The recipient can assume that the CJA grantees have funds for travel, lodging, and per diem expenses for one regional training session. Project costs should cover the development and printing of materials needed to implement the training, and cover travel and per diem expenses for staff and consultants, as well as consultant fees.
In addition, the recipient will work with OVC staff to develop and present workshops at the annual training conference for State CJA grantees sponsored by the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, the Indian Nations Conference, and other OVC- sponsored conferences.
Specifically, the recipient will perform the following tasks:
Eligibility Requirements. Eligible applicants are public or private nonprofit agencies and organizations and educational institutions. Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of and experience in providing high quality training and technical assistance to Indian Tribes. Preference will be given to organizations who are experienced in working with American Indians, and who have experience in working with victims of crime and related victims issues.
Application. Applicants must follow the guidance provided in Section II, Instructions for Application Narrative.
Application Due Date. Friday, May 14, 1999
Contact Person. Cathy Sanders, 202/616-3578. E-mail: Cathy@ojp.usdoj.gov.