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93.604 ASSISTANCE FOR TORTURE VICTIMS

(Torture Victims)

FEDERAL AGENCY
ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AUTHORIZATION
Torture Victims of Relief Act of 1998, Public Law 105-320; Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 1999, Public Law 106-87.

OBJECTIVES
To provide services and rehabilitation for survivors of torture. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) provides a comprehensive program of support for domestic centers and programs for victims of torture.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
Project Grants.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS
Allowable services include treatment, social and legal services, and provision of research and training to health care providers to enable them to treat the physical and psychological effects of torture. ORR funding provides direct services to victims of torture, including services for rehabilitation and social and legal services. ORR funds support training to health care professionals to enable them to recognize and treat the physical and psychological effects of torture. A portion of the funds will be used for identifying and sharing best practices in rehabilitation services among health care professionals through conferences and other forms of technical assistance.

Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants are public or private non-profit agencies.

Beneficiary Eligibility
Individuals and families, regardless of immigration status, who have suffered torture.

Credentials/Documentation
None.

Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372. There will be no application and award process. All appropriated funds are committed to current programs.

Application Procedure
Eligible applicants submit an application to the Administration for Children and Families in accordance with the requirements described in the notice of funding availability.

Award Procedure
Applications are reviewed by a panel of independent experts in accordance with the evaluation criteria included in the notice of funding availability.

Deadlines
Deadlines for applying are established in the notice of funding availability.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
90 to 120 days.

Appeals
None.

Renewals
Contingent of funding availability, grantee performance, and the best interest of the government.

Formula and Matching Requirements
None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants are awarded for a three-year project period, with one-year budget periods.

Reports
Program Performance Reports and Financial Status Reports are required on a semi-annual basis. Final program and financial reports summarizing the activities and accomplishments of the project in relation to the approved goals and objectives are also required 90 days after the end of the project period.

Audits
Periodic audits are made as part of the system of financial management and internal control to meet terms and conditions of grants and other agreements. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records
Grant recipients are required to keep all financial business and programs reports necessary for program review and audit for the project period and for three years after the end of the project period to insure that funds have been expended in accordance with the regulations, grant terms, and conditions of this program.

Account Identification
75-1503-0-1-609.

Obligations
(Grants) FY 07 $9,541,00; FY 08 $9,551,000; and FY 2009 est $9,508,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Grant awards range from $265,000 to $535,000.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In FY 07, 22 grants were awarded. It is estimated that the same number of grants will be awarded in FY 08 and FY 09. Over 5,000 survivors of torture are provided with services each year under this program.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE
None.

Regional or Local Office
None.

Headquarters Office
For information, contact Holly Herrera, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 8th Floor West, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Washington, DC 20447. Telephone: (202) 401-5541; Fax: (202) 401-0981.

Web Site Address
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr

RELATED PROGRAMS
93.576, Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Discretionary Grants.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS
Projects provide a combination of physical, psychological and social services according to the needs of the survivors of torture. Survivors in need of legal services are referred to legal resources. Survivors found to be in need of medical attention are referred to appropriate resources. Two projects provide technical assistance and training to grantees.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS
Notice of the program criteria for awarding funds can be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr.


General Services Administration
Office of Chief Acquisition Officer
Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR)