Recovery Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)

FEDERAL STIMULUS GRANT:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (“Recovery Act”) of 2009 was signed into law by the President on February 17, 2009. The law included a direct appropriation of $100 million in grant funding to be administered by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). Of the total amount of this appropriation, 95 percent ($95 million) will be distributed among eligible state VOCA crime victim compensation and victim assistance administering agencies.

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984 was passed by Congress to assist states in providing high quality services that are directly related to the emotional healing and recovery of crime victims. The U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), administers these funds at the federal level, and the Missouri Department of Public Safety administers the VOCA funds at the state level. The primary purpose of these grants is to support the provision of direct services to victims of crime throughout the nation, to assist victims of crime as soon as possible in order to reduce the severity of the psychological and emotional consequences of the victimization, and to demonstrate on-going support for the victim in coping with the impact of the victimization.

Recovery Act: VOCA Program States Allocations http://www.ovc.gov/fund/recoverycvfa2009.html

Services under this grant program are defined as those efforts that (1) respond to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims; (2) assist primary and secondary victims of crime to stabilize their lives after a victimization; (3) assist victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice system; and (4) provide victims of crime with a measure of safety and security such as boarding-up broken windows and replacing and repairing locks.

APPLYING FOR FUNDING THROUGH DPS:
Please note: Applicants under this solicitation must include a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number in their application. Applications without a DUNS number are incomplete. In addition to the DUNS number, applicants are required to maintain current registrations in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. If your organization does not know its DUNS number or needs to register for one, visit Dun & Bradstreet at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do.
Allocation of Funds
 At least ten percent (10%) of total funds distributed must be allocated to each of the three priority categories – victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse – and at least ten (10%) to programs that serve victims determined by the state to have been previously underserved.

Match Requirements
VOCA recipients must provide TBA of the total project cost in cash or in-kind match.

Organization Eligibility Requirements
- Organizations must be operated by a public or nonprofit organization, or a combination of such organizations, and provide services to crime victims.
- Agencies must demonstrate a record of providing effective services to crime victims.
- Sub-recipient organizations must use volunteers in the provision of services.
- Promote, within the community, coordinated public and private efforts to aid crime victims.
- Assist victims in seeking crime victim compensation benefits.
- Comply with the applicable provisions of VOCA, the Program Guidelines, and the requirements of the OJP Financial Guide.
- Maintain statutorily required civil rights statistics on victims.
- Abide by any additional eligibility or service criteria as established by the Missouri Department of Public Safety.
- Provide services to victims of federal crimes.
- Provide services to crime victims, at no charge, through the VOCA-funded project.
- Maintain confidentiality of client-counselor information, as required by state and federal law.

Contract Period: TBA

VOCA Stimulus Funding: Approximately $891,000 to be spent over a duration of 3 years

Due to limited funding provided for VOCA grants, Victim Service programs are
also encouraged to apply for JAG funding under the
Crime Victim and Witness Programs purpose area. http://www.dps.mo.gov/NCAP/Grants/JAG-RecoveryAct.html

***More information will be forth coming, please check this website frequently for updated information.***

PRESENTATIONS

2009 Recovery Act - VOCA Pre-Bid Seminar:  3/30/09

Pre Bid Recovery Presentation (powerpoint)

Recovery Compliance Seminar (powerpoint)

MCADSV Domestic Violence Service Standards

MCADSV Sexual Violence Service Standards

Location:  Harry S. Truman Building

Address:  301 W. High Street, Jefferson City, 65101

Room:  Conf Room 490/492 (4th floor)

Time:  10:00 a.m. to approximately 12:00 noon

This pre-bid seminar is designed to provide important information regarding available funding under the Recovery Act-VOCA Program.  We will discuss the application forms and process, guidelines, allowable purpose areas and cost items, reporting requirements, changes in the application process, and the most commonly seen mistakes on applications.  We strongly encourage someone attend from your agency if interested in applying for these monies.  No RSVP necessary!

Driving Directions:  http://oa.mo.gov/fmdc/facilitiesoperations/dd.htm

Parking:  http://oa.mo.gov/fmdc/facilitiesoperations/ccprk1.htm

APPLICATION FORMS

2009 Recovery Act VOCA Application
Activity and Services form for Timesheet
Annual Performance Report - VOCA
Application for Funding
Application Summary Report - VOCA
Audit Requirements form
Certification Regarding Debarment
Certified Assurances - VOCA
Change of Information Form
Contractual Budget Form
Detail of Expenditures Form
Equipment Budget Form
Other Funding Sources Form
Pay Period & Attendance Report (Timesheet)
Personnel Budget Form
Personnel Information Form
Rpt. of Expenditures & Check Payee Form
Request to Revise the Budget Form
Supplies/Operations Budget Form
Travel Budget Form .52 cents
Volunteer Match Form

QUARTERLY REPORTS AND INSTRUCTIONS

TBA