Applications Due: February 16, 2017, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Description: The Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Program was created by the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (VAWA 2005) (codified at 42 U.S.C. § 14045a). This program creates an opportunity for culturally specific community-based organizations to address the critical needs of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking victims in a manner that affirms a victim’s culture.

Advocates report that survivors are more inclined to seek services from organizations that are familiar with their culture, language and background and that there is no “one size fits all” approach to adequately address these critical needs. Culturally specific community-based organizations are more likely to understand the complex, multi-layered challenges and obstacles that victims from their communities face when attempting to access services. Culturally specific community-based organizations are also better equipped to form essential relationships and engage their communities in the creation and implementation of services relevant to the diverse and unique needs of the victims.

For additional information on the Culturally Specific Services Program, including what past Culturally Specific Services Program grantees have accomplished with their grant funds and to view the Culturally Specific Services Program performance measures, see http://muskie.usm.maine.edu/vawamei./clsspmain.htm.

 Funding Title: OVW FY 2017 Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Program Solicitation

Agency Name: Office on Violence Against Women

Funding Opportunity Number:   OVW-2017-11903.

 Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Express Language for Legal Aid: Yes. “Examples of allowable activities include but are not limited to: crisis intervention, advocacy, individual and group counseling (including culturally specific groups incorporating crafts for example) for both victims as well as their children who are exposed to the violence, community education and outreach efforts, training for service providers, law enforcement, etc., emergency assistance for victims (food, clothing, rent, utilities and other approved necessities), job training, financial counseling, paying for interpreters and translators and legal assistance with protection orders and/or immigration remedies related to their victimization (U Visas, VAWA self-petitions, etc.).”

Target Population: Racial and ethnic communities: American Indians (including Alaska Natives, Eskimos, and Aleuts); Asian Americans; Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders; Blacks; and Hispanics.

Expected Number of Awards: 20

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

Estimated Total Program Funding: $600,000

 Award Ceiling: $300,000

Award Floor: $0

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 immediately, but no later than January 26, 2017.

Letter of Registration: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a letter of registration to OVW.Cultural@usdoj.gov by January 26, 2017. This will ensure that applicants are well-positioned to successfully submit their applications by the deadline. This letter will not obligate potential applicants to submit an application. Interested applicants who do not submit a Letter of Registration are still eligible to apply.

Pre-Application Information Sessions: OVW will conduct 2 web-based pre-application information sessions. During these sessions, OVW staff will review the Culturally Specific Services Program requirements, review the solicitation, and allow for a brief question and answer session. Participation in these sessions is optional. The sessions are tentatively scheduled for:

1. Tuesday, January 31, 2017 – 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. E.T. (open to new and continuation)
2. Friday, February 3, 2017 – 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. E.T. (open to new and continuation)

To register, please contact Erin McDonough at Erin.McDonough@usdoj.gov. Registration must be received (2 days, one day or at least 2 hours) prior to the start of the session.

Current Closing Date for Applications:   by February 16, 2017, 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time

Eligible Applicants: Eligible entities for this program are community based programs for which the primary purpose of the organization as a whole is to provide culturally specific services to one or more of the following racial and ethnic communities: American Indians (including Alaska Natives, Eskimos, and Aleuts); Asian Americans; Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders; Blacks; and Hispanics.

 Link to Full Announcement: Here

Contact Information: For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, call OVW at (202) 307-6026 or email OVW.Cultural@usdoj.gov.

Categories: Department of Justice, Domestic Violence, Express Language for Legal Aid, Native American Tribes or Tribal Organizations, Non-profit Organizations, Subgrant Possibilities, Victims of Crime