OVC: Advancing Hospital-Based Victim Services Program (US)

Deadline: 28-Jun-21

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is seeking applications for its Advancing Hospital-Based Victim Services Program to improve linkages between the victim services field and hospitals and other medical facilities that increase support for victims of crime, improve their outcomes, and reduce future victimization.

The Department of Justice is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights, increases access to justice, supports crime victims, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community.

Goals

The goal of this solicitation is to support evidence-based models, practices, and policies that improve partnerships between the victim services field and hospitals and other medical facilities to increase support for crime victims. The objective of these partnerships is to provide comprehensive, coordinated, trauma-informed services and support that address the full range of victim needs.

Category 1: Demonstration Sites
- This solicitation will fund up to three demonstration sites that operate hospital-based/affiliated programs to support crime victims using evidence-based models and practices with victim-centered approaches.
- The demonstration sites will develop plans to provide comprehensive, victim-centered services that aid in the survivor’s physical and emotional recovery. OVC encourages a focus on responding to community violence and victims of gun violence, but potential sites may consider using hospital-based/affiliated services and other related approaches to support multiple types of victimization in their proposed projects. Demonstration project applicants should include detailed descriptions of the specific approach they will follow to reach the specified type of victims and explain how the approach will be used to improve victim outcomes. Applicants should also include a detailed explanation of how their program partners will assist in meeting the complex needs of the victims served.
- All services provided as part of this program must: respect the decision-making independence of crime victims; support victim self-sufficiency; and promote victims’ feelings of increased safety and well-being. Collaborations with victim-serving organizations will be an important element of this model, as programs should also incorporate plans to follow up with discharged victims and their families to assist with their long-term recovery. Successful applicants will include one or more hospitals or medical facilities within the area, departments of health, or relevant victim-serving organizations to implement a model most appropriate in that jurisdiction and most capable of filling an unmet need.
- Project activities could include the following:
  - Creation of trauma-informed services and support for survivors identified by program advocates, case managers, and other staff when entering hospital emergency departments and similar medical settings (i.e., urgent care facilities, clinics, etc.).
  - Funding positions and training for hospital and program staff on use of screening tools and other methods used to identify victimization and trauma.
  - Conducting training for medical staff on use of victim-centered, trauma-informed approaches when working with survivors in hospital settings.
  - Funding partnerships to expand the network of support services available to survivors in the surrounding community that are easily accessible for survivors.
  - Use of multidisciplinary teams linked to hospitals to identify and address service gaps and barriers that improve participating agency responses to victims and create a seamless network of services for survivors.
- Sites funded through this solicitation will engage in the following activities to meet the program goals and objectives:
  - Identify or hire a project lead and formalize plans to coordinate and manage the proposed project.
  - Identify potential program partners and develop or enhance letters of intent and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to reflect roles, responsibilities, and commitments from partners.
  - Devise plans to train staff from the project, hospital and partner agencies (where appropriate) on the project itself and related victim-centered approaches.
  - Work in conjunction with the TA provider and other demonstration sites to strengthen the proposed projects and develop plans to sustain their efforts.
  - Develop a logic model to illustrate how the grantee will monitor and evaluate project performance.
  - Partner with a local research entity to conduct a process/implementation evaluation of the project and identify and document the project’s use of evidence-based practices and lessons learned.
  - Establish data collection processes to support implementation/process evaluation and reports developed on the project.
Category 2: Technical Assistance Project
- This solicitation will be used to select one entity to provide comprehensive TA to the demonstration sites and develop TA tools and resources to support the initiative. The successful applicant will be expected to deliver an array of TA resources and guidance that support the demonstration sites and the overall initiative. The comprehensive TA resources and support could include, but is not limited to:
  - providing diverse subject matter expertise and innovative assistance to the demonstration sites to ensure they develop solid plans to support crime victims, achieve their individual goals and objectives, and sustain their efforts;
  - working with sites to engage partners and strengthen their project plans;
  - identifying and providing TA that is comprehensive, coordinated, appropriate, trauma-informed, and data driven to reach and assist all victims; and
  - facilitating peer learning exchanges among the sites and other organizations engaged in similar work to promote problem-solving and innovation through the exchange of ideas and information.
- The successful applicant will be required to coordinate with other OVC-funded TA providers, such as OVC’s Training and Technical Assistance Center and other entities working with related projects and partners. Protocols for coordinating with these organizations must be established to ensure consistent messaging around relevant topic areas, maximize effectiveness of TA, and avoid duplication of efforts.

Funding Information

Category 1: Demonstration Sites
- Number of Awards: 3
- Dollar Amount for Award: $500,000.00
- Duration: 24
Category 2: Technical Assistance Project
- Number of Awards: 1
- Dollar Amount for Award: $500,000.00
- Duration: 24
Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation: $2,000,000.00

Deliverables

Category 1
- Deliverables include:
  - Submission of quarterly financial reports and semiannual progress reports in compliance with DOJ grant requirements.
  - Participation in conferences and meetings hosted by the TA provider, OVC, and other partners, as requested by OVC.
  - A final report that describes how the grantee implemented its project, including identification of project partners, areas of success, and lessons learned.
Category 2
- Deliverables include:
  - An array of TA resources and guidance that support the demonstration sites and the overall initiative that is comprehensive, coordinated, appropriate, trauma-informed, and data-driven to reach and assist victims.
  - Provision of diverse subject-matter expertise and innovative assistance to the demonstration sites to ensure they develop solid plans to support crime victims, achieve their individual goals and objectives, and sustain their efforts;
  - Working with sites to engage partners and strengthen their project plans;
  - Facilitating peer learning exchanges among the sites and other organizations engaged in similar work to promote problem-solving and innovation through the exchange of ideas and information.
  - Participation in conferences and meetings hosted by OVC and other project partners as determined by OVC.
  - Participation in regular calls with the OVC grant monitor and submission of monthly reports tracking TA activities.
  - Submission of quarterly financial reports and semiannual progress reports in compliance with DOJ grant requirements.
  - A final report summarizing the overall initiative, including a summary of the TA project, success stories, and lessons learned.

Eligibility Criteria

State governments
Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
County governments
City or township governments
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Others
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education