Funding Opportunity: OVC FY 2020 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Program

Tribal applicants whose OVC FY 2020 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Program pre-application was accepted have been notified via email to the applicant primary points of contact and authorized representatives. Applicants should refer to the FY 2020 TVSSA solicitation for instructions on how to submit their full application by 8:00 p.m. (eastern time) on June 15, 2020.

This solicitation complements and builds on OVC's prior tribal victim services set-aside discretionary funding program created in federal Fiscal Year 2018 to improve services for victims of crime in tribal communities.

Formula Allocations
Upon receipt of all pre-applications, OVC allocated approximately 68 percent of the total tribal victim services set-aside funds available to provide a base amount of $400,000 to each tribe. The remaining funds were distributed across eight population tiers and added to the base amount of each applicant. For more information, see page 7 of the solicitation. The allocations are listed below:

• Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Allocations

Detailed information on tribes included in the formula and their respective tiers is available below:

• Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Allocations: Tribe/Tier Information

Webinars
OVC hosted an optional webinar with information about submitting full applications on May 21, 2020. OVC also conducted two optional pre-application webinars to review requirements and answer questions. View recordings and transcripts of these webinars.

Full Application Deadline: 8:00 p.m., eastern time, Monday, June 15, 2020

Special Notices:
All guidance and forms needed to submit applications for the OVC FY 2020 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula Program are available online.

OVC made changes to the solicitation on April 16, 2020, related to population certification, basic minimum requirements, tribal authorizing resolutions, and the application guides.

These changes are outlined in a change sheet at the beginning of the updated solicitation.

February 2020 Consultation with Tribes

OVC invited tribal leaders, representatives, and stakeholders to participate in a Tribal Consultation on Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Funding from the Crime Victims Fund. Attendees discussed Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside funding and how it can be programmed.

An informational Framing Paper provided relevant background and questions for participants at the consultation to consider.

OVC encouraged tribal leaders and representatives to submit written comments regarding how potential future Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside funding from the federal Crime Victims Fund should be programmed.

In February 2019, Congress authorized a tribal set-aside of $167.65 million to provide grants to improve services for victims of crime in tribal communities, consistent with the requirements of the Victims of Crime Act. The FY 2019 Consolidated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) solicitation (Purpose Area 7, the Tribal Victim Services Program), which closed in March, was one way for tribes to access this funding.

August 2019 Consultation with Tribes

OVC invited tribal leaders and representatives to participate in a Tribal Consultation regarding how potential future tribal set-aside funding from the federal Crime Victims Fund should be programmed.

The session was held on August 20, 2019, at the Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Michigan, in conjunction with the Office on Violence Against Women's 14th Annual Tribal Consultation.

An informational paper on the August 20, 2019, session provided relevant background and questions for participants at the session to consider.

OVC encouraged tribal leaders and representatives to submit written comments regarding how potential future tribal set-aside funding from the federal Crime Victims Fund should be programmed. Comments were due to be submitted to OVC by 5:00 p.m. (eastern time) on October 21, 2019.

Archived Funding Opportunities

Apply for the FY 2019 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program. 

The overall goal of this program is to provide support to tribal communities to improve services for victims of crime.

OVC is soliciting applications to support a comprehensive range of activities including—

• needs assessment,
• strategic planning,
• program development and implementation,
• program expansion, and
• other activities needed to address the needs of a wide variety of crime victims in tribal communities.

Apply under one of the following purpose areas:

Purpose Area 1: Establishment of a New Victim Service Program
Applicants that have no existing victim services program, including applicants that do not have programs and are going to coordinate with others to provide services to them.

Purpose Area 2: Coordination and Expansion of Existing Victim Service Program
The goal under this purpose area is for existing victim service programs to expand and enhance their services so that they can become more victim-centered, culturally competent, and provide more services, better services, serve more victims, and provide services to crime victims for whom there were no services available previously.

Please note: FY 2019 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) Purpose Area #6 and Purpose Area #7 applicants ARE eligible to apply under this solicitation. However, the applicant may not request duplicative activities and budget items.

View changes to pages 1, 3, 10, 12, 21, and 35 that OVC made after the initial release of the solicitation at https://ovc.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh226/files/media/document/fy19-vssa-solicitation-updates.pdf.

OVC conducted pre-application webinars on June 20 and June 27 to review the solicitation requirements and answer question with interested potential applicants.

OVC, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Tribal Justice, also conducted four additional webinars to review solicitation requirements in July 2019.

Applications for this solicitation were due on August 16, 2019.

---

FY 2019 Field-Generated Solutions for Tribal & Non-Tribal Communities to Improve Services for Victims of Crime

OVC seeks applicants for the FY 2019 Field-Generated Solutions for Tribal & Non-Tribal Communities to Improve Services for Victims of Crime solicitation.

The overarching goal of this program is to support victims of crime and to bridge gaps in services to victims. Eligible applicants may apply for one or more of the purpose areas identified below:

• Purpose Area 1: Innovative Programs to Fill Gaps in Tribal Crime Victim Services
• Purpose Area 2: Innovations in Telehealth
• Purpose Area 3: Improving Responses to Victims of Burglary
• Purpose Area 4: Improving the Ordering and Collecting of Restitution for Victims
• Purpose Area 5: Other Innovative Programs to Fill Gaps in Crime Victim Services

Of particular interest to the tribal community is Purpose Area 1: Innovative Programs to Fill Gaps in Tribal Crime Victim Services. This funding is intended to create broader programs that have the potential to impact victim services for many tribes (beyond even what a consortium might propose).

Proposals must focus on tribal victim services and may include, but are not limited to—

• unique specialized training and technical assistance proposals,
• civil legal assistance for victims,
• outreach initiatives that could transform victim services for remote tribes, and/or
• other innovative and expansive proposals.

Activities that are centered on crime prevention, investigation, prosecution, offender services or corrections are not allowable.

To request funding to establish or enhance a local victim assistance program for a tribe, applying through the new stand-alone Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside solicitation is best.

Learn more and apply for the FY 2019 Field-Generated Solutions for Tribal & Non-Tribal Communities to Improve Services for Victims of Crime solicitation. Applications for this solicitation were due on July 26, 2019.

---

FY 2019 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS): Purpose Area 7

CTAS provides comprehensive funding to federally recognized tribes, tribal consortia, and tribal designees to develop a comprehensive and coordinated approach to public safety and victimization.

The Tribal Victim Services Program (Purpose Area #7) provides funding to support a coordinated, collaborative, multidisciplinary, victim-centered response to crime that emphasizes adopting a trauma-informed approach to the delivery of crime victim services. Funding supports a range of activities including needs assessments, strategic planning, program development and implementation, program expansion, and other activities to address the victim service needs of tribes.

Visit the CTAS solicitation website to learn more. Applications for this solicitation were due on March 12, 2019.

The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018, (P.L. 115-141) for the U.S. Department of Justice (Department) created a 3 percent set-aside in the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) receipts allocated to OVC. OVC is responsible for administering grant award programs that are supported by the CVF, including the FY 2018 tribal set-aside.

May 2019 Consultation with Tribes

OVC invited Alaska tribal leaders and representatives to participate in the Tribal Consultation on Potential Future Tribal Set-Aside Funding. This event was held on May 1, 2019 during the 36th Annual Tribal Courts Conference.

A framing paper provided relevant background and questions for participants at the consultation to consider.

OVC encouraged Alaska tribal leaders and representatives to submit written comments on how potential future tribal set-aside funding from the CVF should be administered. Comments were due to be submitted to OVC by 5:00 p.m. (eastern time) on July 1, 2019.

December 2018 Consultation with Tribes

OVC invited tribal leaders and representatives to participate in a Tribal Listening Session on Potential Future Tribal Set-Aside Funding regarding how potential future tribal set-aside funding from the CVF should be administered.

The session was held on December 4, 2018, on the reservation of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, California and in conjunction with the 16th National Indian Nations Conference: Justice for Victims of Crime (December 5–7, 2018).

An informational paper on the December 4, 2018, session provided relevant background and questions for participants at the session to consider.

Additionally, prior to the release of the Fiscal Year 2018 tribal set-aside solicitation, the U.S. Department of Justice held a series of telephone calls with tribal leaders and representatives on June 12, 2018, and June 14, 2018, to discuss the administration of the Fiscal Year 2018 tribal set-aside.

An FY 2018 informational paper provided relevant background information and questions for participants on the calls to consider.

Archived Funding Opportunities

FY 2018 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program Phase 2

Applicants approved in the FY 2018 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program Phase 1 received Grant Award Offers on or before September 30, 2018.

Receipt of a Grant Award Offer allows the applicant to continue their application by completing Phase 2.

To assist applicants with completing Phase 2 of the application process, view a comprehensive list of FY 2018 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program Phase 2 Solicitation FAQs. OVC also hosted two webinars to assist applicants during Phase 2.

---

Funding Opportunity: FY 2018 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program

Under the FY 2018 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program solicitation, OVC will award eligible tribes, tribal consortia, and tribal designees grants to support a wide-range of services for victims of crime.

In developing the scope of activities allowable with this funding, OVC took into account input from tribal leaders and other stakeholders regarding needs for victim services in tribal communities.

Up to $110 million is designated for the Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program to support tribes to improve victim services.

This solicitation has a streamlined, two-phase application process for this unique program.

OVC conducted an optional, pre-application Phase 1 webinar on June 28, 2018. During the webinar, OVC staff reviewed the solicitation requirements and conducted a question and answer session with interested potential applicants.

The solicitation was open through August 6, 2018.

---

FY 2018 Tribal Set-Aside Training and Technical Assistance Program

The primary goal of the cooperative agreement(s) awarded under the FY 2018 Tribal Set-Aside Training and Technical Assistance Program solicitation is to provide resources and training and technical assistance to Indian tribes, their designees, and tribal consortia that receive grant funds from OVC through the FY 2018 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Program, to enhance their response to victims of crime, their families, and the community.

OVC estimates that it will make up to two awards, of up to $1.325 million each, for an estimated total of $2.65 million, for a 3-year period of performance, beginning on October 1, 2018. OVC anticipates funding organization(s) with experience providing expertise on American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) victim issues and support and training and technical assistance to AI/AN communities.

The solicitation was open through July 18, 2018.