The grant could provide up to $600,000.
This program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. § 20123. The Grants for Outreach and Services to Underserved Populations Program (Underserved Program) (CFDA# 16.889) provides funding to develop and implement outreach strategies targeted at, and provide victim services to, adult or youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in underserved populations. Survivors from underserved populations face challenges in accessing comprehensive and effective victim services that are accessible, culturally relevant, and responsive. As a result, survivors from underserved communities often do not receive appropriate services. The Underserved Program supports projects that address these gaps. Funds may be used to: develop or enhance population specific victim services; develop or enhance outreach strategies to reach underserved survivors; build the capacity of population specific organizations to serve survivors of these crimes; build the capacity of victim service providers to provide victim services that are population specific; train and educate community partners and the criminal justice system on the needs of survivors from underserved populations; and develop culturally and linguistically appropriate materials for underserved survivors. For additional information about this program and related performance measures, including how awards contribute to the achievement of program goals and objectives, see: OVW grant program information: OVW Grants and Programs Webpage. Program performance measures under the Measuring Effectiveness Initiative: VAWA Measuring Effectiveness Initiative webpage. Program-specific sections in OVW's most recent report to Congress on the effectiveness of VAWA grant programs. What's New About this OVW Program The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 revised the definition of victim services to include legal services. Applicants may now request grant funds to provide legal services if appropriate. VAWA 2022 included a new statutory purpose area addressing population-specific training for social and human services providers and culturally specific services regarding responses to, and prevention of female genital mutilation and cutting. OVW is not implementing the female genital mutilation /cutting statutory purpose in this FY 2023 grant cycle and instead will support other efforts to address this issue.
