Deadline: 16 July 2018

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is seeking applications for its Enhancing Access to Services Program to enhance services to crime victims in linguistically specific communities by breaking down barriers that prevent millions of Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and limited English proficient (LEP) crime victims across the country from accessing the services they need after crime victimization.

This program will promote innovation and collaboration in affected communities and will enhance the work of community-based organizations and programs working to help victims report crimes and access the services they need to heal in the aftermath of crime victimization.

Many victims of crime, and particularly those from LEP, Deaf, and hard-of-hearing communities, may experience barriers that prevent them from accessing critical services. The inability to report crimes or access services due to language barriers can isolate victims and intensify their fear and distrust.

Goals

The overall goal of this program is to increase the capacity of community-based organizations and programs to break down the barriers that victims face in accessing services. Organizations funded through this program will:

• Deliver victim-centered and trauma-informed services within linguistically specific communities;
• Expand the capacity of community-based organizations to address the language access and service needs of all crime victims; and
• Identify promising practices and disseminate resources and lessons learned from this project to the victim services field and allied professionals.

Funding Information

• OVC expects to make up to 10 awards of up to $200,000 each.
• OVC expects to make one award of up to $600,000.
• The estimated total amount awarded under this program is anticipated to be $2.6 million.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible direct service sites applicants are limited to public agencies; federally recognized Indian tribal governments (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior); nonprofit organizations (including tribal nonprofit organizations); faith- and community-based organizations; and colleges or universities (including tribal institutions of higher education).
• All applicants must demonstrate a history of providing direct services to victims of crime in linguistically specific communities.

How to Apply

Applicants can apply online via given website.

For more information, please visit grants.gov.