OVW FY 2016 Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Grant Program (also known as the Arrest Program) | OVW 2016 9206

FAQs: OVW FY 2016 Improving Criminal Justice Responses (Arrest Program)

1) What is the OVW FY 2016 Improving Criminal Justice Responses grant program?

This is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). It is formally known as the Grants to Encourage Arrest and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program and is commonly referred to as the Arrest Program.

2) What kinds of crimes does this program focus on?

The program focuses on improving criminal justice and community responses to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

3) What is the overall purpose of the Arrest Program?

The purpose is to strengthen how communities prevent, investigate, prosecute, and respond to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking by promoting coordinated, system-wide action rather than isolated efforts by a single agency.

4) What does OVW mean by a "coordinated community response" in this program?

In this context, a coordinated community response means deliberate partnerships across key parts of the system, such as law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and victim service organizations, so that policies and practices are aligned and consistent across agencies.

5) Why does the program emphasize coordination instead of single-agency projects?

The program is designed to reduce common gaps that can occur when agencies operate separately, such as inconsistent enforcement of protection orders, uneven arrest practices, weak evidence collection, poor information sharing, or victim safety planning that is not integrated into criminal justice decision-making.

6) What outcomes is the program trying to improve?

The program aims to make responses more consistent, victim-centered, and effective, while increasing accountability for offenders. It frames success as community-level systems improvement that increases victim safety and strengthens offender accountability.

7) How does the program describe these offenses in terms of criminal justice?

At its core, the grant emphasizes that sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking should be treated as serious violations of criminal law and responded to through coordinated criminal justice partnerships.

8) Who is eligible to apply for this grant opportunity?

The eligible applicant pool includes state governments, county governments, city or township governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education).

9) Are institutions of higher education eligible as nonprofit applicants?

No. The opportunity description specifies nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status are eligible, excluding institutions of higher education.

10) Are courts eligible to apply?

Yes. The source description specifically references eligibility for state, local, tribal, and territorial courts, including juvenile courts.

11) Are coalitions and rape crisis centers referenced as eligible applicants?

Yes. The description specifically references eligibility for state or tribal sexual assault or domestic violence coalitions and certain governmental rape crisis centers (in a state other than a territory).

12) What types of partners does OVW highlight for collaboration under this program?

OVW highlights collaboration among state, local, tribal, and territorial governments; courts (including juvenile courts); community-based victim service providers; statewide or tribal coalitions; and rape crisis centers.

13) What category does this funding opportunity fall under?

This opportunity falls under the Law, Justice and Legal Services category.

14) What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The associated CFDA number is 16.590.

15) What type of funding instrument is used?

The opportunity is offered as a grant funding instrument.

16) How many awards were anticipated for FY 2016?

OVW anticipated making about 48 awards for FY 2016.

17) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $900,000 per award.

18) When was the opportunity posted and when was it originally due?

The funding opportunity was posted on January 7, 2016, and had an original closing date of March 3, 2016.

19) What is the funding opportunity number applicants should use to identify the solicitation?

The funding opportunity number is OVW 2016 9206. This identifier is used to locate the solicitation and confirm you are applying under the correct program.

20) What kinds of system gaps is the program intended to address?

The program is intended to address gaps such as inconsistent enforcement of protection orders, uneven arrest practices, weak evidence collection, poor information sharing, and victim safety planning that is not integrated into criminal justice decision-making.

21) How does the solicitation describe the core strategy for improving responses?

The solicitation emphasizes deliberate, coordinated partnerships and shared policies and practices that align law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and victim service organizations.

22) What is the program trying to improve related to protection orders?

One of the highlighted issues the program seeks to reduce is inconsistent enforcement of protection orders, by supporting stronger coordinated approaches to arrest and enforcement.

23) What does "system-wide criminal justice action" mean in practice for this program?

Based on the description provided, it means agencies and organizations do not work in isolation; instead, they coordinate procedures, share information appropriately, improve evidence collection practices, and integrate victim safety planning into criminal justice decision-making across the community.

24) Is this program limited to a single jurisdiction type (state-only or local-only)?

No. The program highlights collaboration across state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and includes a broad eligible applicant pool across these jurisdiction types.

25) What is the main theme of the FY 2016 Arrest Program solicitation?

The main theme is community-level systems improvement: building stronger, more coordinated criminal justice and victim-service responses so these crimes are treated consistently and seriously, victim safety is increased, and offender accountability is strengthened.