2014 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) & Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Grant Programs Guidance for Potential Applicants presented by Melissa Darby, JAG Program Planner Jacquetta Al-Mubaslat, VAWA Program Planner

Introduction and Agenda Overview Purpose of JAG funding Purpose of VAWA Funding Overview of JAG Grant Program Overview of VAWA Grant Program How to Apply Grantee Selection Process Scoring Matrix Tips ( How to Avoid Common Mistakes )

OCJS and JAG and VAWA Grant Programs The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) is a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. By statute, OCJS is the lead justice planning and assistance office for the state, and is responsible for administering millions of dollars in state and federal criminal justice funding every year. OCJS also evaluates programs and develops technology, provides training, and products for criminal justice professionals and communities. OCJS has been designated by Governor John Kasich to administer 2014 Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funds and 2014 STOP Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Program funds.

The Purpose of JAG Funding The Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program was established by passage of the fiscal year 2005 omnibus spending measure. The program is federally administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. JAG funds are designed to allow states and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions.

The Purpose of VAWA Funding STOP Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funding is federally administered by the Office of Justice Programs, Violence Against Women Office within the U.S. Department of Justice. The subgrant program emphasizes coordinated community approaches to reduce violence against women and to create mutually respectful partnerships between the justice system and victim services.

Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)

Ohio’s JAG Grant Program How to Apply Read the 2014 JAG RFP (published May 1, 2014) - Categories revised in Make sure your organization is eligible - Develop your project strategy - Write your application - Submit your application - Mandatory online submission. Applicants must submit an electronic version through OCJS Online Grants System. To apply online go to

Ohio’s JAG Program Areas JAG funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one of the following Program Purpose Areas: Law Enforcement Programs Crime Prevention Programs Adult and Juvenile Corrections, Community Corrections and Reentry Programs Courts, Prosecution, Defense and Victim Services Programs Cross-agency and Cross-system Collaboration, Training and Research Programs JAG LE, which has a separate RFP

Program Areas Law Enforcement Programs A01- Multi-Jurisdictional Task Forces A02- Law Enforcement Crime Prevention Programs (B01) Cannot provide services to offenders or alleged offenders – prevention only Please see examples of model programs

Program Areas Adult and Juvenile Corrections, Community Correction and Reentry Programs (C01) - Principles of Effective Intervention Courts, Defense, Prosecution, and Victim Service Programs (D01) - Requirements listed in RFP Cross-agency and Cross-system Collaboration,Training and Research (E01)

JAG – Who is eligible to apply? A unit of local government. A unit of local government has legislative autonomy, jurisdiction, and authority to act in certain circumstances. Units of government include a city, county, township, or village. If two or more jointly apply, one designee to take the lead role and identify that agency's fiscal officer State agencies, state-supported universities Statewide and local nonprofit or faith- based associations. Projects implemented by courts, law enforcement agencies, and mental health boards may not act as their own subgrantees.

Eligibility continued Law Enforcement agencies applying under this solicitation must be in compliance with crime statistics reporting using either the Ohio Incident- Based Reporting System or Uniform Crime Reporting Summary System, per Ohio Revised Code Section (C)(6). All applicants are required to comply with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act that requires applicants to provide their data universal number (DUNS) and keep their SAM.gov profiles current. All FFATA information is required on the title page of the application.

Project Strategy Evidence-based Practices For individual programs please see links listed under each category Provide a detailed discussion on how you’ll implement an evidence-based practice or a program exhibiting a best practice in the field. For examples visit

Ohio’s JAG Funding All costs must directly relate to the goals and objectives of the proposed project. OCJS reserves the right to modify project budgets that were submitted or provide partial funding for applications selected for funding. Receiving previous funding does not guarantee funding for this year. Funding of projects through OCJS is subject to availability of federal pass-through funding resources.

JAG – Cash Match JAG projects may provide a 25% match for projects, however match is not required. You may request the match to be waived due to the effects of the economy. To submit a match waiver letter, please upload it in the indirect cost section of the application forms.

JAG Step-down JAG projects are subject to step-down funding. Projects may apply for 75% of total operating costs the first two years with a 25% match. Projects then can only request 50% of total operating costs and supply a 50% match the third year of funding. The fourth year of funding projects can apply for 25% operating costs and supply 75% match.

JAG Step-down Funds may be limited due to decrease in federal funding Step-down allocations may be affected This funding cycle will be particularly competitive Projects will be reviewed based upon several factors including possible site visits, programmatic monitoring and updated objective information

Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Overview Application: For technical assistance on any part of the JAG application, call OCJS at: or Note: Applicants submitting funding requests for local projects in Cuyahoga, Franklin, Lucas and Montgomery county applicants must also provide a copy of the application to the RPU contact as specified in the RFP. This requirement does not apply to state-wide projects based in these counties or A01 – Multi-Jurisdictional Task Forces. Award : If awarded, notifications will be mailed electronically via the OCJS grants management system to selected projects; and before final approval, all required forms and pre-award conditions must be completed and returned to OCJS through the grants management system. All awards will be for 12 months of funding, operating from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

Program Areas (VAWA) VAWA applicants may apply for funding under one of the following Program Areas: VA1 Training VA2 Enhancement Efforts VA3 Policy and Protocol Development VA4 Data Collection and Communication Systems VA5 Victim Service Programs and Visitation Centers VA6 Stalking Programs VA7 Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE)

Purpose Areas (VAWA) The STOP VAWA grant program contains twenty purpose areas of which nineteen are applicable to Ohio. A detailed list is provided in the attached handout.

Ohio’s VAWA Grant Program How to Apply Read the 2014 VAWA RFP (published May 1, 2014) - Make sure your organization is eligible - Develop your project strategy - Write your application - Submit your application - Mandatory online submission. Applicants must submit an electronic version through OCJS Online Grants System. To apply online go to

VAWA – Who is eligible to apply? A unit of local government. Can include a city, county, township, or village. If two or more jointly apply, they must designate one body to take the lead role and identify that agency’s fiscal officer, or Local and state nonprofit, non-governmental victim service programs.

Eligibility continued ●Non victim service agencies Upload a signed Attachment A affirming consultation with state or local victim service providers during the development of the proposal. ●Collaboration Boards Representing Law Enforcement, Prosecution, Victim Service Providers and any other relevant service providers. The signed Attachment A and Collaboration Board letters are uploaded in the Collaboration Board section of the online application.

Eligibility continued ● Law Enforcement Must be in compliance with crime statistics reporting, using either the Ohio Incident-Based Reporting System or Uniform Crime Reporting Summary System, per Ohio Revised Code Section (C)(6). ● All applicants will be required to comply with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) that requires applicants to provide their data universal number (DUNS) and keep their federal SAM.gov profile current. All FFATA information is required on the title page of the application.

VAWA Allocation categories Federal requirements mandate the VAWA funding distribution within Ohio’s justice system. OCJS determines funding categories for projects based on the agency implementing the project and the services most directly supported by the project. The 2014 allocations are: Law Enforcement 25% Prosecution 25% Court 5% (Funds must be awarded “to” courts rather than “for” courts) Discretionary 15% Victim Services 30% (10% of the funds from the victim service category must go to culturally specific community-based organizations)

Culturally Specific The term ‘culturally specific’ means primarily directed toward racial and ethnic minority groups (as defined in section 1707(g) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u–6(g)). ‘‘(7) CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES.—The term ‘culturally specific services’ means community-based services that include culturally relevant and linguistically specific services and resources to culturally specific communities.’’

Sexual Assault Set-aside 20% of funds granted to the state shall be allocated for programs or projects in two or more federal allocation categories that meaningfully address sexual assault.

Ohio’s VAWA Funding All costs must directly relate to the goals and objectives of the proposed project. OCJS reserves the right to modify project budgets that were submitted or provide partial funding for applications selected for funding. Receiving previous funding does not guarantee funding for this year. Funding of projects through OCJS is subject to availability of federal pass-through funding resources. FUNDING CAP-a maximum of $60,000 in federal VAWA funds

VAWA Match Requirements All VAWA awards are required to provide a cash or in- kind match of at least 25 percent of the total project cost. Exception Projects funded through victim/service allocation, if the benefit/purpose is to be received by a non-profit victim service provider. OCJS determines the allocation categories and will notify projects regarding their matching requirements.

Violence Against Women (VAWA) Overview Application: For technical assistance on any part of the VAWA application, call OCJS at: or Note: Applicants submitting funding requests for local projects in Cuyahoga, Franklin, or Lucas counties must contact the RPU as specified in the RFP. Montgomery county applicants must submit through the OCJS online system, and provide a copy to Montgomery county contact as specified in the RFP. Awards: If awarded, notifications will be mailed electronically via the OCJS grants management system to selected projects; and before final approval, all required forms and pre-award conditions must be completed and returned to OCJS through the grants management system. All awards will be for 12 months of funding, operating from January 1, 2015 through December 31, Continuation Funding: Programs that received a 2013 grant will not be given preferential funding consideration nor will they be guaranteed funding for the same project.

Writing the JAG/VAWA Application All forms must be completed and submitted through the OCJS grants management system. Application should be: submitted online through the portal previously listed Be as succinct and clear as possible Respond to the criteria identified in the RFP Please do not attach additional pages. Faxed copies of the application are not accepted. All applications must be in the “application submitted” status to be considered for funding.

Submitting Your Application The deadline for submission is: Proposals must be electronically submitted by 5 p.m. on May 30, 2014 Applications received after this date and time will be classified as late and will not be considered for funding.

OCJS 3-prong Grantee Selection Process OCJS Grant Coordinator’s Review All applications will be screened to make sure: a) They were received by the closing date and time and they have complied with the basic requirements as outlined in the program solicitation. b) The requested amount does not exceed the limitations detailed in the RFP. c) If previously funded, ensure subgrantee is compliant with all reporting requirements. OCJS Peer Review A pplications are reviewed and rated by an outside panel based on the program elements and review criteria. The basis for this review is outlined and detailed in the scoring matrix. Directors Review: Applications will be reviewed by the Executive Director.

OCJS Scoring Matrix Project Narrative / Budget and Budget Justification Matrix

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Applicants should explain or clearly describe the problem or issue to be addressed and its impact on the community. -Include relevant statistics (national, state, local and agency) -Show that the problem exists -Include short and long term consequences of the problem -Identify the target population to be served -Identify other resources and discuss why your program is needed Problem Statement

Specific to VAWA applications Applicants must describe a target population to be served; and to identify at least one underserved population that will be targeted for outreach and services. VAWA - Underserved Population

The purpose is to ensure the identification of needs and to improve access to services for underserved populations. VAWA underserved populations include geographic location (rural isolation), underserved racial and ethnic populations, special needs populations (language barriers, disabilities, alienage, or age); or any other population determined to be underserved by the U.S. Attorney General or by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as appropriate. All projects must identify at least one underserved population.

VAWA - Underserved Population What is the underserved population your project will serve? Avoid identifying “all” victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking as underserved. Why is this population currently underserved? What are the barriers to services for the populations? Are the underserved populations attempting to access services? If not, then why not? How will the project meet the needs of the underserved population? What efforts will or are occurring to promote eliminating barriers to accessing services; and help increase the utilization of services for underserved populations?

VAWA - Underserved Population Consider the following: Unserved: populations that have no services available to them. Underserved: Populations that have minimal access and are in need of more outreach and support. Inadequately served: Historically marginalized populations that may be overrepresented, but remain inadequately served with specific reference to the quality of service and a “one-size-fits-all” approach.

Project Description Describe the plan of action to be implemented to address the identified problem -Clearly describe approach and activities -Discuss how the model or practice is effective and appropriate for problem -Show that an evidence-based or best practice is being implemented - -Demonstrate fidelity to chosen model/program

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Project Objectives Describe the outcomes and changes anticipated - Identify an appropriate measured change as a result of the program - Identify how the change will be measured - Identify baseline data - Explain how data will be collected

Project Objectives For more guidance on performance measures please visit: JAG VAWA Measures.pdf

PROJECT TIMELINE

Project Timeline -Describe programmatic and administrative activities for project period - Provide a thorough and well-defined timeline

ORGANIZATION AND STAFF CAPACITY

Discuss history of organization and accomplishments. Identify key staff who will administer the grant -Demonstrate capacity of subgrantee to implement grants -Identify staff qualifications -Discuss how agency/staff can accomplish the scope of the grant Organization and Staff Capacity

COLLABORATION BOARD

Collaboration Board Identify organizations that will participate in providing oversight for the grant -Demonstrate commitment from these organizations -Commitment letters are required and must be uploaded with grant application -Describe extent of collaboration -Detail plans for board, i.e. meetings, record keeping, etc.

PROJECT BUDGET / BUDGET JUSTIFICATION

Describe the costs associated with implementation - Be clear and detailed - Explain how items are necessary to the project - Clearly describe match funds - Unallowable costs Budget / Budget Justification

Additional Questions? Melissa Darby Jacquetta Al-Mubaslat