Justice for Families Program to Support Family Violence Response (United States)

Deadline: 16-Jun-2026

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Fiscal Year 2026 Justice for Families Program provides funding to improve how civil and criminal justice systems respond to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and child sexual abuse. The program supports supervised visitation services, legal assistance, victim advocacy, court improvements, offender accountability initiatives, and community-based justice responses, with awards expected to range from $650,000 to $800,000.

Program Overview

The Justice for Families Program is a federal funding initiative designed to improve safety, justice, and support services for families affected by violence. The program strengthens collaboration among courts, victim service providers, legal advocates, and community organizations to ensure that victims and their children receive effective protection and access to justice.

The initiative seeks to enhance court responses, increase victim safety, improve offender accountability, and provide specialized services for families navigating legal systems after experiencing violence or abuse.

Focus Areas

The program supports projects related to:

• Domestic violence response
• Dating violence prevention and intervention
• Sexual assault services
• Stalking prevention and victim support
• Child sexual abuse response
• Supervised visitation services
• Safe exchange programs for children and youth
• Court-based and court-related services
• Civil legal assistance
• Victim advocacy and support
• Training for judges and court personnel
• Child protective services training
• Custody evaluator and guardian ad litem education
• Offender accountability initiatives
• Victim confidentiality and safety measures
• Community access to justice
• Interpreter and language access services
• Information-sharing systems
• Public education and outreach
• Criminal justice system improvements
• Rural and remote community services
• Tribal justice initiatives
• Underserved population support
• Human trafficking response
• Transnational crime victim protection

Program Objectives

The Justice for Families Program aims to:

• Improve the capacity of courts to handle family violence cases effectively.
• Increase safety for victims and their children.
• Strengthen accountability measures for offenders.
• Enhance access to legal assistance and advocacy services.
• Improve coordination among courts, service providers, and community organizations.
• Expand services in underserved, Tribal, rural, and remote communities.
• Promote informed and trauma-responsive judicial decision-making.
• Improve victim access to court systems and support services.

Funding Information

Available Funding

• Total anticipated funding: $16 million
• Expected number of awards: Approximately 22
• Expected award size: $650,000 to $800,000 per project

Funding amounts may vary based on project scope, geographic coverage, and program priorities.

Eligible Activities

Funding may support:

Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Services

Projects may establish or expand:

• Supervised visitation centers
• Child exchange services
• Safety-focused family visitation programs
• Secure visitation environments

Court Improvement Initiatives

Funding can support:

• Court-based victim service programs
• Family violence court enhancements
• Specialized court infrastructure
• Technology improvements
• Information-sharing systems
• Community access initiatives

Legal Assistance and Advocacy

Supported activities include:

• Civil legal representation
• Family court advocacy
• Legal information services
• Victim support services
• Assistance for nonoffending parents
• Protective order assistance

Training and Professional Development

Training may be provided to:

• Judges
• Court personnel
• Attorneys
• Guardians ad litem
• Custody evaluators
• Child protective services staff
• Legal advocates
• Victim service professionals

Community and Criminal Justice Responses

Projects may include:

• Community outreach campaigns
• Victim education programs
• Offender management strategies
• Criminal justice coordination efforts
• Public awareness initiatives
• Multidisciplinary response teams

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• State governments
• Indian Tribal governments
• Units of local government
• Courts
• Nonprofit organizations
• Legal services providers
• Victim service organizations

Nonprofit applicants must maintain:

• Tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Eligibility throughout the award period

Partnership Requirements

Applicants must establish formal partnerships with:

• A court or court-related entity, and
• A nonprofit, nongovernmental, or Tribal domestic violence or sexual assault victim service provider

Strong partnerships are a critical eligibility requirement and demonstrate the collaborative approach expected by the program.

Priority Areas

Priority consideration may be given to projects addressing:

• Human trafficking
• Transnational crime
• Victim protection initiatives
• Rural communities
• Remote regions
• Tribal communities
• Underserved populations
• High-risk victims and families

Why This Program Matters

Families experiencing violence often encounter multiple barriers when seeking protection, legal assistance, and support services. Court systems may lack specialized resources, trained personnel, or coordinated services necessary to address complex family violence cases.

This program helps:

• Protect victims and children from further harm.
• Improve judicial understanding of violence dynamics.
• Increase access to legal and support services.
• Promote safer custody and visitation arrangements.
• Strengthen long-term community responses to violence.

By improving justice system responses, the program contributes to safer families and stronger communities.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your organization qualifies as an eligible applicant and can meet all federal requirements.

Step 2: Establish Required Partnerships

Develop formal partnerships with:

• A court entity
• A domestic violence or sexual assault victim service provider

Obtain documentation demonstrating these partnerships.

Step 3: Develop a Project Plan

Prepare a proposal that clearly outlines:

• Community needs
• Project goals
• Target populations
• Planned activities
• Expected outcomes
• Sustainability strategy

Step 4: Create a Budget

Develop a detailed budget showing how grant funds will support approved program activities.

Step 5: Submit Application

Complete and submit all required application materials according to OVW funding guidance and deadlines.

Tips for Strong Applications

• Demonstrate strong collaboration among project partners.
• Clearly explain community needs using data and evidence.
• Include measurable outcomes and performance indicators.
• Prioritize victim safety and confidentiality.
• Show how services will remain accessible to underserved populations.
• Describe sustainability plans beyond the grant period.
• Incorporate trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing required partnership documentation.
• Submitting incomplete application materials.
• Failing to demonstrate victim-centered approaches.
• Providing unclear project goals or outcomes.
• Weak coordination among partner organizations.
• Insufficient budget justification.
• Limited plans for long-term sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Justice for Families Program?

The Justice for Families Program is a federal grant initiative that improves court and community responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and child sexual abuse.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include state governments, Tribal governments, local governments, courts, nonprofit organizations, legal service providers, and victim service organizations.

How much funding is available?

OVW expects to distribute approximately $16 million through around 22 awards, with individual grants ranging from $650,000 to $800,000.

What types of projects are supported?

Supported projects include supervised visitation services, legal assistance, victim advocacy, court improvements, training initiatives, offender accountability programs, and community response strategies.

Are partnerships required?

Yes. Applicants must partner with a court and a nonprofit, nongovernmental, or Tribal domestic violence or sexual assault victim service provider.

Can funding support services for children?

Yes. The program specifically supports services that improve safety and well-being for children affected by domestic violence, child sexual abuse, stalking, sexual assault, and related forms of family violence.

Does the program prioritize underserved communities?

Yes. Priority may be given to projects serving Tribal, rural, remote, and underserved populations, as well as initiatives addressing human trafficking and victim protection.

Conclusion

The Fiscal Year 2026 Justice for Families Program provides significant funding to strengthen court systems, expand victim services, improve offender accountability, and enhance protection for families affected by violence. Through collaborative partnerships, legal assistance, supervised visitation services, and community-based interventions, the program seeks to create safer, more responsive justice systems that better serve victims, children, and vulnerable families across the United States.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.