DOJ – Justice for Families Program (2015)

By NLADA on January 11, 2015 • ( 0 )

APPLICATIONS DUE: FEBRUARY 11 2015, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Description:

The Grants to Support Families in the Justice System program (referred to as the Justice for Families Program) was authorized in the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) of 2013 to improve the response of all aspects of the civil and criminal justice system to families with a history of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, or in cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse. The program includes purpose areas previously authorized under the Safe Havens: Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Grant Program (Supervised Visitation) and the Court Training and Improvements Program (Courts), along with new purpose areas and applicant requirements.

In FY 2015, OVW will accept applications for the Justice for Families Program from new applicants. Current and former Safe Havens and Courts grantees are considered new applicants. Justice for Families grant recipients that received funding for 24 months in FY 2014 are not eligible to apply.

Express language for legal aid: In FY 2015, funds under the Justice for Families Program may be used for the purposes listed below. With the exception of purpose area 5 (court and court-based programs and services), applicants must propose activities under at least two purpose areas. Applicants can address purpose area 5 in isolation or in combination with additional purpose area(s).

Purpose area 6: Civil legal assistance: Provide civil legal assistance and advocacy services, including legal information and resources in cases in which the victim proceeds pro se, to (a) victims of domestic violence; and (b) nonoffending parents in matters that involve allegations of child sexual abuse; that relate to family matters, including civil protection orders, custody, and divorce; and in which the other parent is represented by counsel.

Funding Title: OVW Justice for Families Program

Agency Name: Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women

Funding Instrument Type: Grants

Target Population: Victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

How to Apply: Registration: To ensure all applicants have ample time to complete the registration process, applicants must obtain a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) Number, register online with the System for Award Management (SAM) and with Grants.gov no later than January 21, 2015.
Letter of Registration: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a letter of registration toOVW.JFF@usdoj.gov by January 21, 2015. This will ensure that applicants are well-positioned tosuccessfully submit an application by the deadline. This letter will not obligate potential applicantsto submit an application. Interested applicants who do not submit a Letter of Registration are still eligible to apply.

Current Closing Date for Applications: February 11, 2015, 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time

Award Ceiling: $500,000

Eligible Applicants:

State governments
Units of local governments
Courts, including juvenile courts
Indian Tribal Governments
Nonprofit organizations having a 501(c)(3) status
Legal Services Providers
Victim Service Providers

Priority Consideration: Applications proposing activities that meaningfully address any of the following priorities may be given special consideration during the review process:
1. Meaningfully increase access to OVW programming for specific underserved populations (which may be based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and age).
2. Increase the use of promising or evidence-building practices, where available.

Current/Past Funding Recipients: 2014

Link to Full Announcement: http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/ovw/pages/attachments/2014/12/31/fy-2015-justice-for-families-solicitation.pdf

Contact Information: For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact OVW at (202) 307-6026. In Fiscal Year 2015, OVW applications will be submitted through Grants.gov. For technical assistance with Grants.gov, contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 1-800-518-4726. Grants.gov Number assigned to announcement: OVW-2015-4035. It is anticipated that all applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications by September 30, 2015.