(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) announced today that sexual assault survivors will benefit from the availability of $4.2 million in federal grants to be awarded to rape crisis centers and sexual assault programs.
OCJS released the 2021 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act American Rescue Plan Act (FVPSA ARPA) Rape Crisis Centers and Sexual Assault Programs Supplemental COVID-19 Funds requests for proposal.
The funds will help programs offer virtual/remote and crisis services, support the increased emergency needs of sexual assault survivors as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency, and pay for hiring bonuses and retention payments to attract and maintain staff to ensure the continuity of sexual assault services.
“These federal grant programs complement the work we’re doing in Ohio to ensure that survivors of sexual assault receive the care, support, and services they need while reducing the exposure to and risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus,” said OCJS Executive Director Nicole Dehner.
OCJS is the state administering agency for the federal funds. The deadline for submissions is July, 19 at 5 p.m.
All applicants must have an organization, or subrecipient, that will serve as the fiduciary agent and assume overall responsibility for the grant. Eligible subrecipients include:
- Private, nonprofit associations.
- State agencies, state-supported universities, or a unit of local government or council of governments.
The state will emphasize the support of effective community-based projects that are carried out by private, nonprofit organizations, whose primary purpose is to provide direct intervention and related assistance to victims of sexual assault inclusive of, but not limited to, rape crisis centers, sexual assault programs, tribal programs, culturally specific programs, LGBTQ+ organizations, and such programs within underserved communities.
A voluntary bidders training webinar will take place June 22 at 10 a.m. The training will provide information helpful for both the application preparation and review process. Please visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8626908293087072784 to complete the registration.