Rhode Island Public Safety Grant Administration Office - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Rhode Island Public Safety Grant Administration OfficeVictims of Crime Act (VOCA)Victim Assistance Grant Program

2018 Application WorkshopSlide2

AgendaWelcome and housekeepingGeneral program eligibility information Priority Areas

Needs Assessment/Gap AnalysisCrime Victims Compensation ProgramVOCA Application informationAward and Review ProcessReimbursement

Questions?Slide3

Program Eligibility Requirements

Must be a public agency or a nonprofit organization that provides direct services to crime victimsProject must utilize volunteers or have a compelling reason not to do so

Able to meet the

required 20

% VOCA financial

match

Provide services at no

charge

Must have a record of providing effective services to victims of crime and must have success in obtaining other funding

sources

Maintain client-counselor

confidentiality

Have a DUNS number and have a current registration in

SAMSlide4

Eligible Activities with VOCA Funds

Crisis intervention servicesHotline counseling Accompanying victims to the hospital for medical examinationsSafety planning

Emergency

food, shelter, clothing, and transportation

Window, door, or lock replacement or repair and other repairs necessary to ensure a victim’s safety

Short-term (up to 45 days) in-home care and supervision services for children and adults who remain in their own homes when the offender/caregiver is removed

Short-term (up to 45 days) nursing-home, adult foster care, or group-home placement for adults for whom no other safe, short-term residence is availableSlide5

Eligible Activities with VOCA Funds (cont.)

Peer support, including, but not limited to, activities that provide opportunities for victims to meet other victims, share experiences, and provide self-help information and emotional support.Organization expenses that are necessary and essential to providing direct services and other allowable victim services

, including the prorated costs of rent; utilities; local travel expenses for service providers; and required minor building adaptations necessary to meet DOJ standards implementing the

Americans

with Disabilities Act and/or modifications that would improve the program’s ability to provide services to victims.

Advocacy on behalf of crime victims; accompaniment to criminal justice offices and court; transportation to court; child care or respite care to enable a victim to attend court; notification of victims regarding trial dates, case disposition information and assistance with victim impact statements.Slide6

Prohibited Uses of VOCA Funds

Crime prevention programsActive investigation and prosecution of criminal activitiesLobbyingFundraising

Food, drinks, meals, refreshments

Branded or custom designed trinkets

Research and studies

Capital expenses

Compensation for victims of crime

Salaries and expenses of managementSlide7

Priority AreasOVC Guidelines require that a minimum of 10 percent of each state’s annual grant be allocated to each of these three categories: sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.The statutes also require that 10% funds must also “be made available for grants to programs which serve previously underserved populations of victims of violent crime.”

Underserved populations include, but are not limited to, senior citizens, non-English speaking residents, persons with disabilities including deaf or head of hearing, members of certain racial groups, ethnic minorities, people who identify as LGBTQ, and people living in rural or remote areas or inner cities.Slide8

Needs Assessment/Gap AnalysisHousing: VOCA funding can be used to provide emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, and to support victim-specific transitional housing programs. It can also be used for costs related to relocation, where necessary for the safety and well-being of a victim, including, but not limited to, reasonable moving expenses and travel, security deposits on housing, rental assistance, and utility startup costs

Transportation of victims to receive services and to participate in criminal justice proceedingsMental health counseling and care

, including, but not limited to, out-patient therapy/counseling (including, but not limited to, substance-abuse treatment so long as the treatment is directly related to the victimization) provided by a person who meets professional standards to provide these services in the jurisdiction in which the care is administeredSlide9

Crime Victims Compensation ProgramState of Rhode Island, Office of the General Treasurerprovides up to $25,000 in reimbursement to Rhode Islanders for expenses related to violent crime, including:

Medical, dental, and counseling expensesRelocation expensesFuneral and related expensesCrime scene cleaningLoss of earnings;and other expenses.

To be eligible to participate in Rhode Island’s CVCP, victims of violent crime must file a police report within 10 days of the alleged crime and file a claim with CVCP no later than three years after the crime.Slide10

ApplicationPlease submit three complete hardcopies of the application packageOne (1) original signed (in blue ink) application packageTwo (2) printed hardcopies of the application package

Electronic submissions may be made to:One (1) electronic submission may be made via email or a data storage device VOCA program manager, Denise Fernandes at

denise.fernandes@ripsga.gov

Administrative Manager Michael Hogan at

michael.hogan@ripsga.govSlide11

ApplicationCover page (template is provided)Project Abstract (no more than 150 words)Project Narrative (no more than 10 pages)

Project TimelineBudget Detail Worksheet (template is provided)Other attachments: job descriptions, resumes, client satisfaction surveys, letters of support, and any other relevant supporting documentationSlide12

Detail Budget WorksheetA. Personnel: direct salary for full time employeesB. Fringe: must show breakout for determination of costs (FICA, etc.)

For partially funded personnel, describe all funding sourcesC. Consultants/contracts: narrative should connect costs to project and describe the rate used to determine the costD. Travel: show costs for any proposed travel, or in-state mileage reimbursement

Out of state travel requires pre-approval by VOCA administrator

E. Supplies

: list all anticipated costs for supplies

F. Equipment

: tangible property valued at over $5,000

H. Other

:

service fees, postage, printing, publication costs, etc.

G. Indirect Costs

: facilities and administration costs that are allocable to the grant, but not captured by direct chargesSlide13

The Review and Award Process

Agencies may be requested to provide the VOCA Advisory Committee with additional information if requiredThe VOCA Advisory Committee will submit the funding recommendations to the Rhode Island Public Safety Grant Administration Office, Criminal Justice Policy Board for approval

After approval from the Policy Board, the Public Safety Grant Administration Office will inform all agencies of their

status

Awards are expected to begin on October 1, 2018Slide14

All Applicants will, at a minimum, be rated on the extent to which they meet selected criteria and be evaluated on if and how well the criteria is met.Slide15

Statement of the problem and goals of the project (20%)

Is the need for the project clearly identified?Are the goals of the proposed project reasonable and attainable?

Are project’s outcomes measurable and time specific?

Are services in specific geographical areas where no other services exist?Slide16

Management structure and organizational capacity (20%)

Does the applicant demonstrate sufficient management and organizational capacity?

Does the applicant agency hire or service members of the minority community and/or demonstrate an awareness of cultural diversity?

How does the applicant demonstrate coordination with other programs in the community related to victim assistance?

How does the organization demonstrate community support and approval of its services?

Has the applicant described the level of client satisfaction with the services provided?Slide17

Implementation of the VOCA-funded project (40%)

Will the project serve the maximum number of victims possible?Are the objectives of the proposed project clearly defined, measurable and include specific timeframes for their accomplishments?

Is the program description clear, appropriate, and within VOCA’s allowable costs and services?

Are the project’s outcomes measurable and achievable?

Do the staff have the appropriate qualifications to provide the described service?Slide18

Financial considerations (20%)

Does the organization have adequate fiscal controls and accounting procedures?Are budgeted costs reasonable, VOCA allowable, and cost effective for the activities proposed to be undertaken?

Does the organization have other sources of financial support?

Does the applicant demonstrate that VOCA funds will not be used to supplant existing funds and that no federal funds will be used to meet the match requirement?Slide19

Victim Satisfaction and Prior Success

Can the organization show victim satisfaction by measurable evaluation?What are the results of the victim surveys after victim treatment and services by the organization?

Does the applicant describe in their narrative how the programs met their goals for the prior year using specific outcome targets and achievements?

How did the program positively affect the targeted populations?Slide20

VOCA is a Reimbursement-based Grant Program

If you receive a sub-grant award under the 2018 VOCA program, the PSGAO will provide you with detailed information on the process and requirements for receiving reimbursement for your grant expenditures. To receive reimbursement for expenditures,

sub-grantees

must submit:

A current SF-260-R Grant Reimbursement Request and Fiscal Report Form (either monthly or quarterly)

A

sub-grant

Program Progress Report with a brief narrative describing the progress of your VOCA funded program on page 1 and a list of the program’s Objectives and Accomplishments on page 2.  Progress Reports should describe activities and expenditures in your SF-260-R Form

A cover sheet with a list of documents included with the SF-260-R Form

Appropriate backup documentation for expenditures, i.e. invoices with proof of payment (copies of canceled checks, receipts, banks statements) payroll documentation, etc.Slide21

VOCA is a Reimbursement-based Grant ProgramPlease Note:

Grant reimbursements are only processed once per month on the 20th of the month Reimbursements must be submitted a minimum of once per quarter. Monthly reimbursements are

allowed

Reimbursements will not be processed if required quarterly online Performance Measurement Tool (PMT) reporting is not

completedSlide22

Any Questions?

For more information, questions, or technical assistance:VOCA Grant Administrator, Denise Fernandes email: denise.fernandes@ripsga.gov Phone: 401-764-5797

PSGAO Administrative Manager, Michael Hogan

email: michael.hogan@ripsga.gov Phone: 401-764-5794