Grant Applications

Eligible agencies are Tennessee-based non-profit agencies who can demonstrate at least 1-year experience providing trauma informed services to human trafficking survivors who are currently not providing residential services and who want to open a residential component.  Services should be focused on assisting survivors 12 years and older.

Intent to Apply due:  2/28/2020

Application due:  3/16/2020

This project specifically funds a multidisciplinary approach between DCS (Department of Children’s Services) and community agencies including a Family Justice Center for the prevention and intervention of domestic violence.  A Liaison, who will be employed by the domestic violence program, will be co-located at the domestic violence shelter and the local DCS office to assist families and community agencies supporting and seeking assistance for victims of domestic violence.  This program will complement the Safe and Together model, which is an evidence informed practice offered by DCS staff.  The Safe and Together model equips DCS to work with the courts, shelters, and state certified batterer intervention programs to educate offending parents on the effects of domestic violence on children who witness the abuse. 

Intent to Apply due: 2/28/2020

Application due:  3/16/2020

The goal of this solicitation is to support restorative justice approaches that engage multiple systems to promote healing for victims. This solicitation is for juvenile restorative justice projects. Project should be victim centered with priority given to programs utilizing evidence-based, trauma informed models. Projects should be voluntary and include both the person harmed (victim) and person who caused the harm (juvenile-offender). Activities must demonstrate a clear understanding of a victim centered and voluntary approach to Restorative Justice. Successful projects will be highly collaborative and include entities from the criminal justice system, victim services, and/or community-based service programs.

Intent to Apply due: 2/28/2020

Applications due: 3/16/2020

The purpose of this project is to expand and enhance the quality and quantity of services to victims of child abuse, sexual assault and/or domestic violence among offender populations prior to and upon release from incarceration in local adult correctional facilities. The goal of this priority area is to minimize the long term effects resulting from the past or recent victimization of individuals who are under the jurisdiction of the criminal justice system and who are preparing to re-enter society. It is intended that the program will provide wrap around trauma informed services that allow for a successful transition back into the community to include individual or group therapy (not marriage counseling), housing, substance abuse treatment, transportation, and vocational development and employment.

Eligible projects are exclusive to the provision of BOTH case management and therapeutic services. Successful applicants will begin providing services prior to release. Therapeutic (therapy) services should begin in the facility and continue post release. After care case management should begin prior to release and continue services for at least six months post release.

Applicants must demonstrate their ability to offer child abuse, sexual assault and/ or domestic violence supportive counseling and therapy; they must be participants in community collaborations and be able to substantiate their need for additional staff through their own program data and concrete examples. Applicants must currently be certified to utilize STRONG-R or must be certified by June 30, 2021.

The STRONG-R* is an evidence-based, comprehensive risk-needs assessment tool developed for all stages of the criminal justice system. This tool will be used to inform therapeutic response and case management plans.

OCJP will not fund projects that provide services to violent adult offenders.

Intent to Apply due: 2/28/2020

Applications due: 3/16/2020

Halfway Houses, in terms of this grant, provide sober living homes that provide supportive services, including evidence based mental health, substance use in order to successfully transition back into society without reliance on alcohol or drugs. Projects must provide:

(i) No less than sixty (60) residential beds monthly with occupancy at no less than ninety-seven percent (97%) per month, or if a halfway house with nonresidential day reporting services, it shall serve no less than two hundred (200) adults monthly;

(ii) Safe and secure treatment facilities, and treatment to include moral recognition therapy, GED course work, anger management therapy, and domestic and family counseling; and

(iii) Transportation to and from work, mental health or medical appointments for each of its residents.

Intent to Apply due: 2/28/2020

Applications due: 3/16/2020

Q: I submitted my application’s intent to apply under the wrong category. Do I need to submit a second intent to apply?

A: Please email CriminalJustice.Program@tn.gov with an official request to change this information on the Intent to Apply document.

Q. How is match calculated?

A: Match can be calculated two ways:

            (STOP /JAG) Federal $ / .75 x .25 = ____________   

            (VOCA) Federal $ / .80 x .20 = ___________

            (examples: $40,000 x .25 = $10,000)    or   ($40,000 / .80) x.20 = $10,000)

For match in cash, the match amount will go in the line item. For match that is in-kind, it will go in the in-kind line item. Any items purchased over $5000 will go under Capital Expense. For more information on match please see the Grants Manual Ch. 3 Section 1. Match Requirement.

Q: No one at our agency has been trained in uniform guidance and my agency does not have a policy for this. If I don't have this is this going to knock out my application, or can I do some sort of online training pretty quickly?

A: While this will not prevent any application from moving forward in the process, if the agency application is funded, training on Uniform  Guidance is required within the first 6 months.

Q: Regarding the “Other Grant Funds Table”.  We are requesting equipment for this VOCA request.  Are you asking for grants we have received that are not related to our enhancement application?

A: Yes. This table is meant to represent all grant funds that your agency receives or anticipates that is will receive in FY 2019 for all criminal justice or victim service projects.

Q: How do we notate salary, benefits, and taxes on the budget form? Do we separate out each item?

A: There are several ways this can be noted on the budget form. Examples are below:

            Salary estimated at $____________ approximately __________% of time dedicated to project.

            Salary and benefits estimated at $___________ approximately ________% of time dedicated to project.

            Salary estimated at $ _________ Benefits estimated at $ ___________ approximately _________% of time dedicated to project.

            EX.: Salary and benefits estimated at $10,000.00 approximately 25% of time dedicated to project.

Q: Do we need to purchase an accounting system if we do not have one?

A: OCJP Grants Manual, Chapter III, Accounting Criteria (https://www.tn.gov/finance/office-of-criminal-justice-programs/ocjp/ocjp-grants-manual/financial-requirements.html ) states the subrecipient is free to use any accounting system that the subrecipient has established if the  system meets the following minimum criteria [located below in the chapter].”

Q: We get a lot of questions about supplanting. Does everyone understand what that is?

A: “Supplant” means to “replace” or “take the place of.” Federal law prohibits recipients of federal funds from replacing state, local, or agency funds with federal funds. Existing funds for a project and its activities may not be displaced by federal funds and reallocated for other organizational expenses. This is illegal.

Ex: You are awarded this volunteer coordinator position and you promote Dorothy to this position, you must backfill the position so there is an  increase in FTEs.  In the event your agency is facing a loss of funding, make that clear in your application.

Q: How do we know what our intended outputs will be if we never received VOCA funding before?

A: Intended outputs should be a projection, what you plan to serve. For example, if you know you get 500-600 clients through your door every year you can safely assume that you will serve between 400-700 clients next year. Use this information to establish a baseline of services.

Q: Is it reasonable to base numbers off of what you know and where you think your program will go? 

A: Look at what your agency did this last fiscal year, and where you are today, then project what these grant monies will allow you to do in the next year i.e. – expanding services.

Q: The Authorized Official for non-profit agencies is the Board Chair, correct?

A: For federal purposes, your authorized official is your board chair. The project director and fiscal director should be someone who is willing to take on the responsibilities of the projects implementation.  These duties are listed in the OCJP Grants Manual located:  https://www.tn.gov/finance/office-of-criminal-justice-programs/ocjp/ocjp-grants-manual.html

Q: We would like to use donated space as match. Is this allowable?

A: This is allowable under VOCA. You can find more information in the OCJP Grants Manual Chapter III. Financial Requirements (located at https://www.tn.gov/finance/office-of-criminal-justice-programs/ocjp/ocjp-grants-manual/financial-requirements.html ) states “The value of space may be used as in kind match if space is 100% owned by the agency (either through donation or it has been paid for) and used 100% for victim services.  In this case, you may use the fair market value of the space as in-kind match.  The value may not exceed the fair market value of comparable space as established by an independent appraisal of comparable space and facilities in a privately owned building in the same locality.  Agencies must obtain at least 3 comps from an independent Realtor and the use the average as the fair market value.  The basis for determining the value of personal services, materials, equipment and space must be documented."

Q: What if we submit a budget which is not accurate?

A: OCJP can only encourage agencies to complete the budget using the knowledge and resources available.  OCJP cannot say at this time if budget modifications after applications are reviewed will be accepted or will impact funding determinations.

Q: What is a State (Edison) Vendor ID?

A:  Please visit the State of Tennessee's website regarding Procurement/Supplier Information at https://www.tn.gov/generalservices/procurement/central-procurement-office--cpo-/supplier-information.html.