DOJ – Services for Victims of Human Trafficking (2020)

By NLADA on March 17, 2020

Applications due: by May 18, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

The purpose of this program is to develop, expand, or strengthen victim service programs for victims of human trafficking. There is express language for legal aid.

Applicants are invited to apply under the following three purpose areas: Purpose Area 1: Developing Capacity to Serve Human Trafficking Victims (OVC-2020-18333) Under Purpose Area 1, awards will be made to organizations that have not received OVC human trafficking grants since 2015. The purpose of these awards is to support organizations that have limited or no prior experience in serving victims of human trafficking.

Purpose Area 2: Enhancing Scope of Services for Human Trafficking Victims (OVC-2020- 18334) Under Purpose Area 2, awards will be made to victim service organizations with a demonstrated history of providing a range of services to victims of human trafficking.

Purpose Area 3: Specialized Services for Human Trafficking Victims (OVC-2020-18335) Under Purpose Area 3, awards will be made to victim service organizations with a demonstrated history of providing a specialized service to victims of human trafficking. The goal is to increase the quality and quantity of the specialized service to assist victims of all forms of human trafficking.

Helpful resources

In 2018, NLADA hosted a webinar with the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit on collaborating to combat human trafficking. You can access the webinar here.
The Justice in Government Project at American University has curated research briefs on how civil legal aid assists survivors of human trafficking. You can access the brief here.
Want help making your case? The Justice Index scores and ranks states on their adoption of best practices for ensuring access to justice. Find how well your state is doing here.

Grant information

Funding Title: Services for Victims of Human Trafficking

Agency Name: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime

Funding Opportunity Number: OVC-2020-18332

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Express Language for Legal Aid: Yes. In Appendix A, it lists “advocacy and legal assistance” as an allowable service.

Target Population: Victims of human trafficking

Expected Number of Awards: 30

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Yes. 25 percent cash or in-kind match.

Estimated Total Program Funding: $16,500,000

Award Ceiling: $750,000

Award Floor: $0

Other important information: OVC will conduct one pre-application webinar on Thursday, April 2, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. eastern time. Participation in the webinar is optional. OVC staff will review the solicitation requirements and conduct a question and answer session with interested potential applicants. You may register for the webinar at https://www.ovc.gov/grants/webinars.html.

Current Closing Date for Applications: by May 18, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Eligible Applicants: States and territories, local government, Indian tribes, nonprofits

For more information

Link to Full Announcement: Link to announcement from DOJ OVC

Contact Information: For assistance with any requirements of this solicitation, contact the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) Response Center: toll free at 800–851–3420; via TTY at 301–240–6310 (hearing impaired only); email to grants@ncjrs.gov; fax to 301–240–5830; or web chat.The NCJRS Response Center operates from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., eastern time, Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., ET on the solicitation closing date.