CFDA Logo Image of a U. S. flag

16.016 CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES PROGRAM

FEDERAL AGENCY
OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

AUTHORIZATION
This program was authorized by the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005, Title I, Section 121, Public Law 109-162, 42 U.S.C. 14045a.

OBJECTIVES
To enhance culturally and linguistically specific services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
Project Grants (Discretionary).

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS
Funds shall be used for the following statutory program purposes: (A) working with State and local governments and social service agencies to develop and enhance effective strategies to provide culturally and linguistically specific services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; (B) increasing communities' capacity to provide culturally and linguistically specific resources and support for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking crimes and their families; (C) strengthening criminal justice interventions, by providing training for law enforcement, prosecution, courts, probation, and correctional facilities on culturally and linguistically specific responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; (D) enhancing traditional services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking through the leadership of culturally and linguistically specific programs offering services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; (E) working in cooperation with the community to develop education and prevention strategies highlighting culturally and linguistically specific issues and resources regarding victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; (F) providing culturally and linguistically specific programs for children exposed to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; (G) providing culturally and linguistically specific resources and services that address the safety, economic, housing, and workplace needs of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including emergency assistance; or (H) examining the dynamics of culture and its impact on victimization and healing.

Applicant Eligibility
Community-based programs whose primary purpose is providing culturally and linguistically specific services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; and community-based programs whose primary purpose is providing culturally and linguistically specific services who can partner with a program having demonstrated expertise in serving victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Beneficiary Eligibility
Community and faith-based programs.

Credentials/Documentation
None.

Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office designated as the single point of contact in his or her state for more information on the processes the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Application forms furnished by the Federal agency, in accordance with 28 CFR Part 66 (Common Rule), must be used for this program.

Application Procedure
Applicants must apply on-line at the grants.gov portal. The receipt, review, and analysis of applications will follow Office on Violence Against Women policies and procedures for the administration of grant applications. This program is subject to provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure
Upon approval by the Office on Violence Against Women, online notification is sent to the applicant agency with copies of the Grant Award. One copy of the Grant Award must be signed electronically by an authorized official and returned to the Office of Justice Programs.

Deadlines
This is a newly established program. OVW expects to issue a solicitation in Fiscal Year 2009. Check for online announcements at www.ovw.usdoj.gov.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Applicants will be notified by the end of the fiscal year.

Appeals
None.

Renewals
Renewals are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Formula and Matching Requirements
Grants will be made for amounts up to 100 percent of the costs of the programs or projects contained in the approved applications. Match is not required for this grant program; however, applicants are encouraged to maximize the impact of Federal dollars by contributing to the cost of the project. Supplemental contributions may be cash, in-kind services, or a combination of both.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards will be two years. Funds are released on an as-needed basis to the grantee.

Reports
Semi-annual progress reports, quarterly financial reports, and a final report are required, as stipulated in the program regulations and the effective edition of the OJP Financial Guide. Progress reports shall explain the activities carried out and include an assessment of the effectiveness of those activities in achieving the purposes of the program, including number of persons served and numbers of persons seeking services who could not be served.

Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organization," 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
The award recipient must keep complete records on disposition of funds.

Account Identification
15-0409-0-1-754.

Obligations
FY 07 $0; FY 08 est. not available; and FY 09 est. $4,119,080.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Not applicable.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE
The OJP Financial Guide is applicable.

Regional or Local Office
None.

Headquarters Office
Office on Violence Against Women, Department of Justice, 800 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20530; Telephone: (202) 307-6026.

Web Site Address
http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov

RELATED PROGRAMS
16.588, Violence Against Women Formula Grants; 16.587, Violence Against Women Discretionary Grants for Indian Tribal Governments; 16.589, Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Grant Program.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS
Not applicable.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS
Criteria are established by the Office on Violence Against Women and included in an annual Application Kit.


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