Applications Due: January 26, 2018, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Description:
The goal of the Disability Grant Program is to create sustainable change within and between organizations that improves the response to individuals with disabilities and Deaf individuals who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking and to hold perpetrators of such crimes accountable. Disability Grant Program funds are used to establish and strengthen multidisciplinary collaborative relationships; increase organizational capacity to provide accessible, safe, and effective services to individuals with disabilities and Deaf individuals who are victims of violence and abuse; identify needs within the grantee’s organization and/or service area; and develop a plan to address those identified needs that builds a strong foundation for future work.

Purpose Areas

In FY 2018, funds under the Disability Grant Program may be used for the following statutory purposes:

1. To provide personnel, training, technical assistance, advocacy, intervention, risk reduction (including using evidence-based indicators to assess the risk of domestic and dating violence homicide) and prevention of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking against individuals with disabilities;
2. To conduct outreach activities to ensure that individuals with disabilities who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking receive appropriate assistance;
3. To conduct cross-training for victim service organizations, governmental agencies, courts, law enforcement, and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations serving individuals with disabilities about risk reduction, intervention, prevention and the nature of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking for individuals with disabilities;
4. To provide technical assistance to assist with modifications to existing policies, protocols, and procedures to ensure equal access to the services, programs, and activities of victim service providers for individuals with disabilities;
5. To provide training and technical assistance on the requirements of shelters and victim service providers under Federal anti-discrimination laws, including the Americans with

Disabilities Act of 1990 and section 794 of title 29 (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973);

6. To modify facilities, purchase equipment, and provide personnel so that shelters and victim services organizations can accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities;
7. To provide advocacy and intervention services for individuals with disabilities who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking; or
8. To develop model programs providing advocacy and intervention services within organizations serving individuals with disabilities who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking.

Mandatory Program Requirements

There are different mandatory program requirements for new and continuation grantees. Please read the complete NOFA for details.

 Funding Title:     OVW FY 2018 Training and Services to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities Grant Program

Agency Name: Office on Violence Against Women

Funding Opportunity Number:   OVW-2018-13823

Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement

Express Language for Legal Aid: Yes. The definition of “victim services” and “services” as it applies to entities eligible to apply for the program, includes “legal advocacy”.

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

Expected Number of Awards: 10

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

Estimated Total Program Funding: $4,275,000

Award Ceiling: $500,000

Award Floor: $325,000

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 5, 2018.

Letter of Registration: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a letter of registration to OVW.Disabilities@usdoj.gov by December 29, 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 two web-based Pre-Application Information Sessions. During these sessions,

OVW staff will review the Disability Grant 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:

• December 12, 2017; 1 – 3 pm ET

To register, please contact Jocelyn Harrison at OVW.Disabilities@usdoj.gov or at 202-307-6029.

Current Closing Date for Applications: by January 26, 2018, 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time

Eligible Applicants:
Eligible entities for this program are:

1. States;
2. Units of local government;
3. Indian tribal governments or tribal organizations; and
4. Victim services providers, such as state or tribal domestic violence or sexual assault coalitions, and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations serving individuals with disabilities.

 Link to Full Announcement: Here 

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

It is anticipated that all applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications by October 1, 2018.

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