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CCDO Home / About CCDO
CCDO FAQs
Find answers to some frequently asked questions here.
General FAQs
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What is CCDO's mission?
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CCDO works with local communities to design strategies for deterring crime, promoting economic growth, and enhancing quality of life.
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What does CCDO do?
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CCDO develops, evaluates, and implements policies that serve as models for other national community capacity development efforts and provides counseling for federal, state, and local government agencies and private sector clients on a variety of justice-related community issues. CCDO provides direction, oversight, and guidance for Weed and Seed, a strategy to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods across the country. CCDO also works with bureaus and program offices in the Office of Justice Programs to ensure the special needs and programs of American Indian and Alaska Native communities are incorporated in products and services.
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What was CCDO called in the past?
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CCDO used to be called the Executive Office of Weed and Seed. In 2004, the office changed its name to better reflect its focused efforts on partnerships, American Indian/Alaska Native issues, and reentry.
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How does CCDO fit in the U.S. Department of Justice?
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CCDO is a program office within the Office of Justice Programs in the U.S. Department of Justice. The Office of the Associate Attorney General oversees OJP. You can find OJP in the DOJ organizational chart.
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Weed & Seed FAQs
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What is Weed and Seed?
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Weed and Seed is foremost a strategy—rather than a grant program—that aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods across the country. Weed and Seed sites range in size from several neighborhood blocks to 15 square miles.
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How does Weed and Seed work?
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The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding out" criminals who participate in violent crime and drug abuse, attempting to prevent their return to the targeted area; and "seeding" brings human services to the area, encompassing prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization.
A community-orientated policing component bridges weeding and seeding strategies. Officers obtain helpful information from area residents for weeding efforts while they aid residents in obtaining information about community revitalization and seeding resources.
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How can I be a part of Weed and Seed?
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See if there is a Weed and Seed site in your community by checking the Weed and Seed Site Directory. If you are not currently a Weed and Seed site but think that your neighborhood has a serious crime problem that requires a broad-based, comprehensive response, contact the mayor's office or local law enforcement agency to explore the possibilities. In addition, the U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO), which serves as the lead contact for Weed and Seed activities, will help you apply for funds and will assist in selecting, convening, and serving on a Steering Committee. The USAO's law enforcement coordinator can assist you with determining if your community is a potential site.
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How do I get funding from Weed and Seed?
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Weed and Seed is a strategy rather than a grant program. Interested communities are eligible to apply for funding from CCDO, based on availability of funds that are awarded on a competitive basis. For more details, see CCDO Funding. Promoting the long-term health and resilience of the community, however, is the true goal of Weed and Seed, so sustainability without federal funds must be a key part of a site's structure.
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What is the role of the Steering Committee?
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The Steering Committee completes initial development steps, oversees and manages program goals and objectives, coordinates the activities of Weed and Seed subcommittees, implements a coordinated law enforcement and neighborhood restoration plan, approves program changes, documents program activity, and evaluates the overall program.
The Steering Committee may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- U.S. Attorney.
- Mayor.
- Chief of police.
- Nonprofit leaders.
- Regional leaders of federal agencies (e.g., U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Health and Human Services, Small Business Administration).
- Private business owners.
- Residents (including youth and the elderly).
- Faith-based representatives.
- District prosecutor.
- Representatives from city agencies (e.g., housing, code enforcement, Department of Recreation).
- Union representatives.
- Corporations operating in the target area.
- School administrators, teachers, and the superintendent.
- Law enforcement coordinator from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
- Military community outreach staff.
The U.S. Attorney, who should initially convene this core group of local officials, must work closely with city, state, and federal officials, as well as members of the community and the private sector, to accomplish the program's goals. The responsibility for developing the strategy rests with the steering committee. At its discretion, the steering committee may designate a local or state agency or official such as a city manager to be in charge of the program's daily operations.
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How do I get in touch with the right contact person at CCDO?
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CCDO program managers are responsible for Weed and Seed sites in specific states. To review the list of program managers, visit Contact CCDO.
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What is a graduated site?
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A graduated site is one that has completed its years of funding and maintains an organizational structure that continues to work on the strategic plan for the site, including weeding and seeding efforts. Graduated sites continue to develop, coordinate, and deliver services that enhance quality of life and improve public safety. As part of a sustainability plan, resources continue to be committed to the site strategy even though federal funding has ended. Once graduated, a site may no longer apply for funding through CCDO. If a community wants to reapply as a WSC, they may do so, but only in a new neighborhood that cannot overlap with any parts of the graduated site.
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How can I promote my Weed and Seed strategy in my community?
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Community involvement is essential to the success of a Weed and Seed site. Getting residents and grassroots faith-based and community organizations involved from the very beginning is essential. A number of tools are available to assist sites in communicating effectively and in mobilizing the community. For more information, see Promoting the Weed and Seed Strategy.
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| Q: |
How do I get a Weed and Seed logo?
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Only WSCs may use the Weed and Seed logo. To download the logo, visit the Weed and Seed section of this site.
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| Q: |
What evaluations are there of Weed and Seed?
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Individual Weed and Seed sites track their progress on a regular basis. A national Weed and Seed evaluation, which looked at eight sites in detail, was completed in 1999. The results of that evaluation can be found by visiting the Publications section. In addition, the Justice Research and Statistics Association tracks site outcomes and overall program performance through the Weed and Seed Data Center.
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2007 Guidelines FAQs
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What is the name for the sites funded under this initiative?
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The sites will be called Weed and Seed Communities (WSC).
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Does the FY 2007 competitive initiative replace the current Official Recognition (OR) process?
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Yes. An important difference between this initiative and the former OR process is that it is a competitive process that does not require a recognition phase prior to eligibility for funding. The name change is designed to help avoid any confusion with WSC regulations and those associated with former Official Recognition designation.
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May OR sites that have never received funding participate in this new process?
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Yes.
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May states, units of local government, and neighborhood and community-based organizations that currently have a funded OR site apply under this new program if the proposed site is in a different geographic area?
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Yes.
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For an FY 2007 site, what constitutes a “different geographic area?” Why is this requirement important?
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A “different geographic area” is considered to be a section of a city, county, or tribal area well apart from the location of existing Weed and Seed sites. There are two primary reasons for this requirement:
1) The new FY 2007 Guideline requirements governing new sites are considerably different from the previous guidelines governing the existing sites, which could cause confusion if the sites were in close proximity. Specifically, there are unique requirements contained in the FY 2007 Guideline that pertain to: the steering committee composition, distribution of funding, focus on reentry and evidence-based programs, the pre-award period, and the use of existing resources to initiate and sustain Weed and Seed programs.
2) Weed and Seed grant supported sites are meant to be prototypical, not serial efforts. The grant funds are intended to help communities finance the development of an initial experimental site and are considered to be a relatively small short-term investment. They are not intended to be the primary resource for initial or continued intervention in the target area or subsequent neighborhood areas the community may target in the future.
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Can an FY 2007 site be composed of two separate geographic areas?
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No. This assumes that minor separations (e.g. a street/freeway, a river or creek) may exist but they do not constitute significant boundaries.
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Are all OR applicants that will be denied this year eligible to apply for WSC next year?
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Yes.
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Are points given for the use of evidence-based, best practice programs?
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No, however, we encourage applicants to strongly consider the value and use of evidence-based programs.
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Are there additional points for high crime rate areas?
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No, however, it is important to emphasize that such areas are the intended focus of the Weed and Seed program.
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Are there special requirements for rural communities?
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No.
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What constitutes a "sufficient magnitude" in determining the appropriate size and density of a potential Weed and Seed Community site, and why is it important?
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If there is a disproportional amount of serious and violent crime and other social problems in the target area compared to the community as a
whole, then there would be "sufficient magnitude" to warrant the larger jurisdiction's concern and a corresponding response, including an array of additional resources. For example, if a community had a population of approximately 200,000 and the WSC had a population of approximately 20–50,000, that site would represent about 10 to 25 percent of the community, or "sufficient magnitude" to warrant a Weed and Seed type of intervention.
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Management Structure/Steering Committee
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What is the makeup of the Steering Committee?
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The committee should be made up of equal parts of community-based residents/organizations and local decisionmakers. A minimum of 25 percent of the community-based component must be community residents not serving in an official capacity, and the balance should be representatives of community-based (including faith-based) organizations who may or may not live in the community. The second component would comprise public (i.e., city, county, or state officials) and private decisionmakers.
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Will the Steering Committee maintain general oversight of programs it would transfer to existing community agencies following the initial period of development?
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Yes, the Steering Committee and the U.S. Attorney would maintain general oversight of the transferred programs through regular agreed upon updates from the designated community agencies. The intent is to free the Steering Committee from program management responsibilities so it can focus primarily on program development.
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What is the reason for having so many decisionmakers be part of the Steering Committee?
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The composition of the Steering Committee should reflect the existing resources necessary to respond to specific problems. As an example, if the committee chose reentry as a primary focus then it would want to include representatives from an array of control systems (i.e., community corrections, law enforcement, parole, and the
judiciary—reentry court) and support systems (i.e., remedial education, employment readiness, mental health, substance abuse, housing, faith-based) to ensure an appropriate response, that is, the deployment of the necessary services. These committee members could be appointed for 1- to 3-year terms. It is also important to realize that decisionmakers often work together on a variety of efforts in the community and as a result they can help influence other decisionmakers to participate and provide resources. We strongly recommend that sites consider representatives from the following (and possibly other organizations, as appropriate):
- City Government Decisionmakers (Mayor's Office, Public Works, Planning Commission, Police Department)
- Community Residents
- U.S. Attorney's Office
- Local Prosecutor
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Welfare Agencies
- State and Community Corrections
- Parole
- Judiciary
- School Board and Superintendent
- Mental Health Agencies
- Employment Readiness and Job Development Agencies
- Housing Organizations
- Remedial Education
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Is there an experience requirement for the site director's position?
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No. We strongly suggest, however, that the Steering Committee consider education, professional experience, and tenure as important criteria in selecting an individual who has the capacity to adequately represent and articulate to both community residents and decisionmakers the problems of the WSC and corresponding resources necessary to improve the site.
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Do the proposed WSC Director's resume and a job description have to be included as part of the application?
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Yes.
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Problems and Needs Assessment
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Why are the crime and other mapping requirements necessary?
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Communities must be able to articulate the problems and the needs of the WSC in order to determine their program priorities and to develop a compelling case for the redeployment of existing resources into the site. Mapping is an easy, effective way to present and display the problems and needs in a graphic and quickly understood manner.
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Must a site's most prevalent crime and social problems be part of the WSC's multi-year strategy?
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Yes, it is assumed that the most prevalent problems would be part of the strategy. If this is not the case, then the rationale for not including them in the strategy must be provided.
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Why focus on both Part I and Part II Crime?
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Where there is a high incidence of Part I Crime there is also a corresponding incidence of Part II Crime activity. While Part I Crime activity may be more destructive, Part II Crime activity (e.g., child abuse, molestation/sex offenses, vagrancy, public intoxication, etc.) also are destructive and certainly can diminish the viability of the community.
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Shouldn't the Needs Assessment of the WSC area noted in the section dealing with Development Phase Activities precede the development phase section?
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No. This is referring to a more in-depth assessment of specific problems well beyond the preliminary assessment used to determine the overall appropriateness of the geographic target location of the Weed and Seed Community as a high crime area with numerous social problems.
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Is reentry now considered to be another program area, along with law enforcement; community policing; prevention, intervention, and treatment; and neighborhood restoration?
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No. Recognizing that an effective reentry strategy requires both control and support resources, a reentry strategy would encompass a variety of services from many, if not all, of the program areas noted.
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Why is it necessary for a WSC to address reentry?
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The supervision and support of returning offenders—given their propensity for committing new crimes and establishing or emboldening existing crime networks—should absolutely be a primary Weed and Seed focus. The recidivism among serious and violent offenders returning from prison is estimated to be 67% within three years of release, with 22% rearrested for violent crime. Corrections, law enforcement, and social service systems most certainly should focus in a coordinated manner, through the Weed and Seed strategy, on this easily defined high-risk population.
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How is the Weed and Seed reentry effort defined (i.e., Weed or Seed or both)?
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Reentry programs can satisfy both the "Weeding" and "Seeding" sides of the Weed and Seed strategy. The most effective reentry programs use an array of resources typical of both sides of the Weed and Seed continuum. Weed and Seed funding can be used for managing and supervising returning offender populations (through law enforcement, corrections, and judicial systems) as well as for development of "support services" within the context of intervention and
treatment—to include those involving mental health, employment, substance abuse prevention, housing, welfare, faith-based, and transportation services.
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By encouraging Weed and Seed sites to focus on managing and supporting serious and violent offenders returning from correctional institutions, isn't CCDO redirecting Weed and Seed Communities' focus and resources primarily into reentry to the exclusion of other worthy efforts?
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No. Although CCDO considers reentry to be a very important concern, CCDO is not suggesting that it is the only concern with which a WSC should be involved. Most ex-offenders, though, are likely to return to their high-crime neighborhoods to commit Part I offenses and clearly this crime activity warrants specific attention by Weed and Seed sites. If the returning offender population is not addressed by a coordinated effort, the Weed and Seed Community is at high risk of being revictimized.
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Pre-Award Development Stage
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What is the timeframe for sites to "implement" their programs in the Pre-Award Development stage?
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Sites will have approximately a year to develop and implement their unfunded Pre-Award Development stage (i.e., from the letter of intent in April of 2006 until the verification visits to the applicant sites are completed by 2007).
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What if a site cannot complete its plan in one year?
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No site should feel compelled to compete if it does not believe it can meet the organizational and program development requirements of the initiative.
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What constitutes a Weed effort?
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A specific programmatic activity focused primarily on the control of crime in the target area. It may involve one or a selection of responses, including law enforcement and prevention, intervention, or treatment.
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What constitutes a Seed effort?
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A programmatic activity focused primarily on a specific social problem. It may involve one or a selection of responses including prevention, intervention, or treatment. It may also address the physical restoration of some portion of the target area.
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Is there a limit on the number of Weed and Seed efforts a site may initiate?
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No. Sites are required to focus on at least four specific Weed and Seed efforts over their five years of funding eligibility, but they may elect to undertake additional efforts as well. By limiting their number of efforts, however, communities may be more effective in achieving substantial change in a select number of areas. Focusing on a large array of problems may take considerably longer and use more resources to achieve an effective impact.
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| Q: |
Is CCDO requiring the same goals and objectives template for OR sites to describe their WSC efforts?
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Yes. Please see the Appendices for additional information.
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What kind of evidence of effectiveness do "Best Practices" programs need to have?
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Best Practices—programs that sites should be modeling—should have experimental or quasi-experimental research design with a statistically significant sustained effect for at least a year. They also should address other criteria regarding study design and execution (e.g., adequate measurement, attrition, effect size, and sample size).
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Please describe the new grant funding structure.
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There will be five annual awards totaling $1 million incrementally distributed during the 5-year eligibility period:
Year 1: $175,000
Year 2: $250,000
Year 3: $275,000
Year 4: $200,000
Year 5: $100,000
Total: $1,000,000
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How many sites are expected to be funded?
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The number of sites funded will depend on the availability of FY 2007 funding; however, CCDO expects to make awards to between 20 and 30 sites.
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How will CCDO manage extensions?
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Extensions for the expenditure of unused grant dollars will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Sites should be aware, however, that grant extensions will be considered only once for each grant award. Continuous requests for extensions may reflect financial management problems and could have a detrimental effect on future funding.
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Can leveraging be included as part of the budget structure?
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Leveraged funds should be explained in the context of the implementation of a specific program. The funds should not, however, be included in the budget concerning proposed expenditure of the grant award funds.
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Are we still using the same budget template?
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Yes.
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What is the overall point distribution for the initiative's Budget section?
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The Budget section is part of a larger section, VIII, Budget, Sustainability and Leveraging which totals16 points of the 100 total points for the entire initiative. The Budget and Budget Narrative section (VIII. A.) is 10 points; the Sustainability and Leveraging section (VIII. B.) is 6 points. NOTE: The fiscal agent requirement in the Management Structure section (IV)—which totals 2 points—addresses budget administration.
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What is meant by "redeployment of existing resources" and how is it accomplished?
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Redeployment of existing resources refers to the movement of local or state public/private funds from one activity not associated with the WSC to another in support of one or more specific WSC programmatic efforts. For example, a school system may dedicate resources from an existing budget area not associated with the WSC target area to support the development of an alternative school for failing students within the WSC target area.
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Is the purpose of the letter of commitment [see Memorandum of Agreement on p.19 of the Guideline] to encourage sustainability?
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Yes, the letter of commitment allows the decisionmakers who control the specific resources and expertise to design, develop, and implement the various activities recommended by the Steering Committee to specifically define the contribution(s) of their resources.
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How many video conferences will be provided for USAOs/LECCs and the potential sites regarding the requirements of the new guideline?
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CCDO anticipates approximately two to three such conferences depending on the interests of the USAOs and the potential applicants.
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Will CCDO provide technical assistance regarding best practices?
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CCDO will explore developing training about evidence-based program repositories and other less rigorous best practice models that have the readiness to inform and support replication in the sites. CCDO may use Web-based or video conferences as opposed to national and regional conferences (these are difficult and expensive for CCDO to organize and for local communities to attend).
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Why does CCDO focus training and technical assistance on selected Weed and Seed problems common to most communities? Shouldn't it focus on specific needs of the participating Weed and Seed Communities?
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Many Weed and Seed sites confront similar crime and social problems. Selecting training and technical assistance that informs how to assess and most effectively respond to these problems is the most efficient method. Some resources would remain available to respond to ad hoc needs/problems beyond those considered most common, but they would be limited.
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When could a new Weed and Seed Community be prepared to provide peer-to-peer training and technical assistance to other communities?
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Perhaps as early as the initial year of funding; however, such training would probably be focused on selected programmatic efforts rather than on the WSC's overall Weed and Seed approach.
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What are the consequences if selected WSC sites don't provide appropriate program and financial reports as required?
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All participating WSC sites must comply with the established reporting requirements to which they must agree prior to receiving any funds. A grantee will risk the interruption of grant resources or perhaps even forfeit some or all of their grant funding if they do not comply.
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Will an application be rejected if it is does not have a specific part completed?
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Yes. If applicants have questions regarding a specific section of the application it is their responsibility to contact CCDO for clarification prior to submission.
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Training & TA FAQs
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Who is eligible for TA?
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WSCs and developing sites are eligible for TA. Sites must work with the steering committee and U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) when requesting TA. For developing sites, the TA request must be submitted by the USAO.
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What types of TA can CCDO provide?
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TA is designed to help improve the organization, management, and elements of a site's strategy and implementation plan. CCDO has a variety of TA providers (consultants) with years of advanced professional experience in areas including—
- Strategic planning.
- Youth programs.
- Mobilization.
- Employment training.
- Evaluation.
- Asset mapping.
- Steering Committees.
- Public housing.
- Community policing.
- Conflict resolution.
- Team building.
- Grants/funding review.
- Job training.
- Computer systems.
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Does my site need TA?
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If you hesitate in answering this question, you may have a need for TA. Sites are not charged, penalized, or judged to any degree for requesting assistance. Many sites feel that if they show signs of need, they will be viewed as failures, but many people lack comprehensive training in areas that are necessary to reach the goals of Weed and Seed.
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How much will I be charged for TA?
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TA is free to all WSCs, developing sites, and graduated sites.
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How do I request TA?
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Your site's Steering Committee first develops a TA request in response to a specific site need. Then, you must submit your request to the CCDO Program Manager responsible for your state. Allow 6-8 weeks for your request to be processed and approved by CCDO. The CCDO Program Manager for your state is responsible for understanding the details of your situation and is therefore the best person to help you develop your TA request.
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What should I include in the TA request?
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Each TA request should—
- Explain the need for and objectives of the TA request and how the needed TA fits into your site's overall Weed and Seed strategy.
- Describe the specific assistance requested, including each anticipated task associated with the request.
- Provide as much background information as possible on any identified contractors or service providers, if applicable. If no contractor has been identified, CCDO will work with you to find an acceptable provider.
- Indicate when the TA should be provided.
- Identify the representatives from your site who will participate in TA.
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How is TA delivered?
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CCDO will work to match a site's needs to a qualified TA provider. A working TA plan is then developed and processed for approval. In most cases, CCDO sends the service provider to the Weed and Seed site to provide direct TA. The TA service provider along with the site representatives (i.e., site coordinator, Steering Committee members, and USAO contact) meet to discuss the TA plan; services are then rendered as outlined in the plan. Progress is monitored by the CCDO Program Manager for your state. Sometimes the provider works for one day, or the TA may require several days. Everything depends on the needs of the site.
In some cases, the site's needs can be fulfilled through telephone consultation with TA providers, rendering a site visit unnecessary.
TA comes in many forms. Ongoing TA and training coordinated by CCDO may come in the following forms:
- Electronic (e.g., e-mails, CCDO Web site).
- Peer-to-peer training (sites learn from other Weed and Seed contacts).
- Training workshops/conferences (sites have the opportunity to meet CCDO service providers).
- Telephone consultation.
- Satellite broadcast series (live/interactive satellite broadcasts covering Weed and Seed topic areas) planned.
- Preconference learning labs (take-home DVDs available as well).
Sites are encouraged to complete a customer satisfaction survey after TA services are rendered.
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