Overview
This
grant provides funding to non-profit and public agencies (including state and
local governmental agencies, universities and community colleges) interested in
providing services that do not duplicate services provided by another agency in
the same geographical location and are in compliance with grant specific
requirements. Eligible organizations include victim services organizations
whose sole mission is to provide direct services to crime victims. These
organizations include, but are not limited to the following:
- Sexual assault and rape treatment
centers;
- Domestic violence programs and
shelters;
- Child abuse programs;
- Centers for missing children;
- Mental health services;
- Other community-based victim coalitions
and support organizations;
- Criminal
Justice Agencies – Law
enforcement agencies, prosecutors’ offices, courts, corrections
departments, and probation and paroling authorities are eligible to
receive VOCA funds to help pay for victims’ services.
- Religiously-Affiliated
Organizations – Organizations
receiving VOCA funds must ensure that services are offered to all crime
victims without regard to religious affiliation and that the receipt of
services is not contingent upon participation in a religious activity or
event. Faith-based and community organizations will be considered for
awards as are other eligible applicants and if they receive assistance
awards, will be treated on an equal basis with all other grantees in the
administration of such awards. No eligible applicant or grantee will be
discriminated against on the basis of its religious character or
affiliation, or religious name. Faith-based and community organizations
are required to abide by the same regulations and requirements
specifically associated with the program under which they are awarded a
grant, as any other agency awarded funding.
- Hospitals
and Emergency Medical Facilities - Organizations must offer crisis counseling, support
groups and /or other types of victim services.
- Others – State and local public
agencies such as mental health service organizations, state and/or local
public child and adult protective services, state grantees, Native American Tribes/Organizations,
legal service agencies and programs with a
demonstrated history of advocacy on behalf of domestic violence victims
and public housing authorities that have components specifically trained
to serve crime victims.