![](media/image1.wmf)**U.S. Department of Justice**

Office on Violence Against Women

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW)
([www.usdoj.gov/ovw](http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw)) is pleased to announce
that it is seeking applications for the Legal Assistance for Victims
Grant Program. This program furthers the Department's mission by
strengthening civil and criminal legal assistance programs for adult and
youth victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or dating
violence who are seeking relief in legal matters arising as a
consequence of that abuse or violence.

OVW FY 2007

Legal Assistance for Victims

Grant Program

# Eligibility

Applicants are limited to private nonprofit entities, publicly funded
organizations not acting in a governmental capacity, territorial
organizations, Indian tribal governments, and tribal organizations. (See
"Eligibility," page 4)

# Deadline

Letters of intent to apply should be submitted by January 10, 2007

All Applicants should register online with Grants.gov by January 10,
2007.

All applications are due by 8:00 p.m. E.S.T. on January 24, 2007.

(See "Deadline: Applications," page 4)

# Contact Information

For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact the
Office on Violence Against Women at (202) 307-6026.

This application must be submitted through Grants.gov. For technical
assistance with submitting the application, call the Grants.gov Customer
Support Hotline at 1-800-518-4726.

**Grants.gov Number assigned to announcement OVW-2007-1501**

## CONTENTS

Overview of the OVW Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program p. 3

Deadline: Letter of Intent p. 3

Deadline: Registration p. 3

Deadline: Application p. 4

Eligibility p. 4

-   Faith-Based and Other Community Organizations p. 4

OVW Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program Specific Information p. 6

-   Types of Applicants p. 6

-   Availability of Funds p. 7

-   Award Period  p. 7

-   Award Amounts p. 7

-   Program Scope p. 7

-   Activities That May Compromise Victim Safety p. 8

-   Unallowable Activities p. 8

Performance Measures p. 9

How to Apply p. 10

What an Application Must Include: p. 10

Standard Form 424

Standard Assurances and Certifications

Program Narrative

Budget and Budget Narrative

MOU or MOE

Letter of Nonsupplanting

Financial Capability Questionnaire

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

Letter certifying compliance with minimum requirements

Selection Criteria p. 17

Review Process p. 19

Additional Requirements p. 20

Application Checklist p. 20

LAV/SV Partnership Initiative: Call for Concept Papers p. 22

**OVW Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program**

**(CFDA Number: 16.524)**

## Overview

**About the Office on Violence Against Women**

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is a component of the U.S.
Department of Justice. Created in 1995, OVW implements the Violence
Against Women Act (VAWA) and subsequent legislation and provides
national leadership against domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
assault, and stalking. Since its inception, OVW has launched a
multifaceted approach to responding to these crimes. By forging state,
local and tribal partnerships among police, prosecutors, the judiciary,
victim advocates, health care providers, faith leaders, and others, OVW
grants help provide victims with the protection and services they need
to pursue safe and healthy lives and enable communities to hold
offenders accountable.

**About the OVW Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program**

The Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program is intended to
increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance[^1]
necessary to provide effective aid to adult and youth victims of
domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault who are
seeking relief in legal matters arising as a consequence of that abuse
or violence. Criminal legal assistance is limited to criminal matters
relating to domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual
assault.

The LAV Program awards grants to law school legal clinics, domestic
violence victims' shelters, bar associations, sexual assault programs,
private nonprofit entities, Indian tribal governments and tribal
organizations, territorial organizations, legal aid or statewide legal
services, and faith and/or community-based legal service providers.
Grant funds may be used to provide direct legal services to victims of
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in
matters arising from the abuse or violence and to provide enhanced
training for lawyers representing these victims. The objective of the
LAV Program is to develop innovative, collaborative projects that
provide quality representation to victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

**Deadline: Letter of Intent**

All applicants who intend to apply for FY 2007 funding under this
program are encouraged to **submit a non-binding letter of intent**,
(please see
<http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw/docs/sample_letter_of_intent.pdf>), to OVW by
**Wednesday, January 10, 2007**. You may send the letter to OVW at
OVW.LAV@USDOJ.GOV. OVW will use these letters to forecast the number of
peer review panels needed to review competitive applications.

### Deadline: Registration

The *Grants.gov* registration deadline is **Wednesday, January 10,
2007**. Registering with Grants.gov is a one-time process; however, if
you are a first-time registrant, it could take several weeks to have
your registration validated and confirmed and to receive your user
password. It is highly recommended you start the registration process as
early as possible to prevent delays in submitting your application
package to our agency by the deadline specified. There are three steps
that you must complete before you are able to register: 1) register with
Central Contractor Registry (CCR), 2) be authorized as an Authorized
Grantee/Recipient Official (AGO) in your organization, and 3) register
yourself as an (AGO). For more information, go to
[www.grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/). **Note: Your CCR registration
must be renewed once a year. Failure to renew your CCR registration will
prohibit submission of a grant application through Grants.gov.**

### Deadline: Application

The due date for applying for funding under this announcement is **8:00
pm E.T., Wednesday, January 24, 2007**.

### Eligibility

**It is very important that you review this information carefully.
Applications that are submitted by non-eligible entities will be
screened out of the review process during an initial review.**

**[Eligible Applicants]{.underline}**

Eligible entities for this program are

-   Private Nonprofit Entities

-   Publicly funded organizations not acting in a governmental capacity,
    such as law schools

-   Territorial Organizations[^2]

-   Indian Tribal Governments, Indian Tribal Organizations[^3] or Indian
    Tribal Consortia[^4]

    Private Nonprofit Entities include faith and community-based
    organizations. Additionally, eligible applicants are required to
    enter into a collaborative working relationship with a nonprofit,
    nongovernmental domestic violence and/or sexual assault program
    within the community to be served.

**Funding to Faith-Based and Community Organizations:** Consistent with
President George W. Bush\'s Executive Order 13279, dated December 12,
2002, and 28 C.F.R. Part 38, it is DOJ policy that faith-based
and community organizations that statutorily qualify as eligible
applicants under DOJ programs are invited and encouraged to apply for
assistance awards to fund eligible grant activities. Faith-based
and community organizations will be considered for awards on the same
basis as any other eligible applicants and, if they receive assistance
awards, will be treated on an equal basis with all other grantees in the
administration of such awards. No eligible applicant or grantee will
be discriminated for or against on the basis of its religious character
or affiliation, religious name, or the religious composition of its
board of directors or persons working in the organization.

Faith-based organizations receiving DOJ assistance awards retain their
independence and do not lose or have to modify their religious identity
(e.g., removing religious symbols) to receive assistance awards. DOJ
grant funds, however, may not be used to fund any inherently religious
activity, such as prayer or worship. Inherently religious activity is
permissible, although it cannot occur during an activity funded with DOJ
grant funds; rather, such religious activity must be separate in time or
place from the DOJ-funded program. Further, participation in such
activity by individuals receiving services must be voluntary. Programs
funded by DOJ are not permitted to discriminate in the provision of
services on the basis of a beneficiary's religion.

Applicants are encouraged to review the Civil Rights Compliance section
under "Additional Requirements" in this announcement.

**Notice to Tribal Applicants:** The Violence Against Women Act of 2005
created a new program, the Grants to Tribal Governments Program, which
is tailored to the needs of tribal governments in responding to domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. This program
combines the purpose areas from several existing programs including this
one. For example, Tribes may apply under the Grants to Tribal
Governments Program to provide legal assistance to victims. Tribes will
no longer need to submit several applications for multiple purposes.
They will now be able to apply for all of the purposes within one
application for the new program. The solicitation for the Grants to
Tribal Governments Program is expected to be available in January, 2007.
Notwithstanding the new grant program, all eligible applications from
Indian Tribal governments submitted under this solicitation will be
considered for funding. In addition, not less than 3% of LAV Program
funding is set aside for programs that assist victims in Indian country.

**[Certification Requirements]{.underline}**

To be eligible for an award, applicants must certify that they are in
compliance with the statutory requirements. The details of these
requirements are listed below under the Minimum Requirements section of
this solicitation. ***Failure to provide a letter certifying to these
requirements will disqualify an application from further consideration.
No exceptions to this requirement will be considered.*** Please also
refer to Appendix A for a sample certification letter. Continuation
applicants should note that certification must be in the form of a
[letter]{.underline}.

**[Minimum Requirements]{.underline}**

To be eligible for an award under the LAV Program, applicants must
certify in writing that they are in compliance with the following
statutory requirements[^5]:

\(1\) Any person providing legal assistance through a program funded
under the LAV Program has completed or will complete training in
connection with domestic violence, dating violence, or sexual assault
and related legal issues.

\(2\) Any training program conducted in satisfaction of the requirement
of paragraph (1) has been or will be developed with input from and in
collaboration with a tribal, State, territorial, or local domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking organization or
coalition, as well as appropriate tribal, State, territorial, and local
law enforcement officials.

\(3\) Any person or organization providing legal assistance through a
program funded under the LAV Program has informed and will continue to
inform State, local, or tribal domestic violence, dating violence, or
sexual assault programs and coalitions, as well as appropriate State and
local law enforcement officials of their work.

\(4\) The grantee\'s organizational policies do not require mediation or
counseling involving offenders and victims physically together, in cases
where sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or child
sexual abuse is an issue.

**[OVW *will* remove an application from consideration prior to peer
review if this "letter of certification" is missing from the
application.]{.underline}**

**[Additional Criteria]{.underline}**

> Applicants should meet the following criteria in order to be eligible
> for funding:

-   Victim services programs must reflect (e.g., through mission
    statements or training for all staff) an understanding that the
    violence perpetrated against victims is grounded in an abuse of
    power by an offender and reinforced through intimidation and
    coercion.

-   Victim services programs must address a demonstrated need in their
    communities by providing services that promote the integrity and
    self sufficiency of victims, improve their access to resources, and
    create options for victims seeking safety from perpetrator violence.

-   Legal services programs must consult and coordinate with nonprofit,
    nongovernmental victim services programs including sexual assault
    and domestic violence victim services

programs.

**OVW Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program -- Specific
Information**

**Types of Applicants**

**[Eligible Grantees]{.underline}**

To maximize the jurisdictions, and thereby victims, served by LAV
grants, recipients of FY 2006 funding who received 24 month awards are
not eligible to apply regardless of whether they propose services for a
different geographical area. Current grantees are eligible for
supplemental or continuation funding to support on-going activities or
to enhance those activities for an extended period of time.
**Continuation or supplemental funding is not guaranteed. All
applications will be subject to peer review and internal review by OVW
staff. Those applications receiving the highest scores will be eligible
to be considered for funding.**

[Only FY 2005 grantees, previously unsuccessful applicants, new
applicants, and FY 2006 grantees that received a one-year award are
eligible to apply for FY]{.underline} [2007 funding.]{.underline} FY
2005 grantees who are out of compliance, due to delinquent progress
reports and/or financial status reports will not be considered for
funding.

All applicants who have not received prior grant funding under this
grant program are eligible to apply for FY 2007 funding.

Recipients of FY 2003 and 2004 funding who did not receive an FY 2005 or
2006 continuation award are eligible to apply for new FY 2007 funding.
Please note: if such an application is successful, it will be processed
as a new award not a supplemental or continuation award. OVW will close
out the prior award.

An applicant or project partner may submit only one LAV Program
application per fiscal year.

Project partners who have not received funding from any other LAV funded
project in the amount of \$50,000 or more and who are not current
partners in an application to be submitted in FY 2006 are eligible to
apply as a lead applicant or as a project partner on a FY 2007
application.

**Availability of Funds**

All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and any
modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law.

**Award Period**

The award period for new and continuation grants will be 24 months.
**Budget must reflect 24 months** of project activity, **and the total
"estimated funding" (block 15) on the SF-424 must reflect 24 months**.

**Award Amounts**

Applicants should carefully consider the resources needed to
successfully implement the project proposed and present a realistic
budget that accurately reflects project costs. **FY 2007 grants will be
awarded to new and continuation** **projects based on the budget
guidelines listed on page 14**. OVW may elect to make grants for greater
or lesser amounts than requested, and to negotiate the scope of work
with applicants prior to award of a grant.

Applications for continuation funding will be considered based on their
current funding level. Current projects may also include an increase in
the cost of living in their budget request. A very modest expansion of
services may also be requested.

**Program Scope**

The scope of the LAV Program is defined by the following statutory
program purpose areas and program priority areas. Proposed projects must
implement activities consistent with the statutory program purpose
areas. Proposed projects must address at least one purpose area, but do
not need to address multiple purpose or priority areas in order to
receive support.

**[Statutory Purpose Areas]{.underline}**

By statute, funds may be used:

\(1\) to implement, expand, and establish cooperative efforts and
projects between domestic violence, dating violence and sexual assault
victim services organizations[^6] and legal assistance providers to
provide legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, stalking, and sexual assault;

\(2\) to implement, expand, and establish efforts and projects to
provide legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, stalking, and sexual assault by organizations with a
demonstrated history of providing direct legal or advocacy services on
behalf of these victims; and

\(3\) to provide training, technical assistance, and data collection to
improve the capacity of grantees and other entities to offer legal
assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking,
and sexual assault.[^7]

**Activities That May Compromise Victim Safety**

Ensuring victim safety is a guiding principle underlying this Program.
Experience has shown that certain practices may compromise victim safety
rather than enhance it. Certain responses by the authorities may have
the effect of minimizing or trivializing the offender's criminal
behavior. Accordingly, consistent with the goals of ensuring victim
safety while holding perpetrators accountable for the criminal conduct,
applicants are strongly discouraged from proposing projects that include
any activities that may compromise victim safety and must address in
writing that they will not engage in the following activities:

-   **Policies or practices that discourage accepting cases for victims
    who do not have physical evidence.**

-   **Refusal to represent victims who are also
    respondents/defendants.**

-   **Mediation**[^8]**, alternative dispute resolution, or joint
    counseling as a response to domestic violence, dating violence,
    sexual assault, or stalking.**

-   **Representation on the condition that victims seek protection
    orders, counseling, or some other course of action with which they
    disagree.**

-   **Failure to conduct safety planning with clients.**

**Unallowable Activities**

Grant funds under the Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program may not
be used for any unauthorized purposes, including but not limited to the
following activities:

-   Lobbying

-   Fundraising

-   Research projects

-   Physical modifications to buildings, including minor renovations

    **[Exclusive Provision of Services to Sexual Assault, Stalking,
    Dating Violence, and Domestic Violence Victims]{.underline}**

    All applicants for LAV grants are required to ensure that services
    supported by these funds will be provided to sexual assault,
    stalking, dating violence, or domestic violence victims who cannot
    afford legal services as determined by the lead applicant or project
    partner after an intake interview with the prospective client.
    Grants funds cannot be used to support legal representation in the
    following areas:

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-   Tort cases

-   Child sexual abuse cases

-   Cases involving the child protection system

-   Victim service employee cases

-   Criminal defense of victims charged with crimes

**Performance Measures**

To assist in fulfilling the Department's responsibilities under the
Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), P.L. 103-62, applicants
who receive funding under this solicitation must provide data that
measures the results of their work. Performance measures for this
solicitation are as follows:

+---------------------+---------------------+--------------------------+
| ##                  | ##                  | ##                       |
|                     |                     |                          |
| ## Objective        | ## P                | ## Data Grantee Provides |
|                     | erformance Measures |                          |
+---------------------+---------------------+--------------------------+
| Strengthen          | 1)  Number of       | This information will be |
| partnerships for    |     victims         | provided to OVW through  |
| safer communities   |     receiving legal | semi-annual progress     |
| and enhance the     |     representation  | report forms. Please see |
| Nation's capacity   |     funded by the   | <http:                   |
| to prevent, solve,  |     LAV Program,    | //muskie.usm.maine.edu/> |
| and control crime.  |     and             |                          |
|                     |                     | [vawamei/attachments     |
|                     | 2)  Number and type | /pdf/forms/]{.underline} |
|                     |     of people       |                          |
|                     |     trained with    | [lav/LAVs                |
|                     |     funds provided  | emiform.pdf]{.underline} |
|                     |     by the LAV      | for a sample form.       |
|                     |     Program.        |                          |
+---------------------+---------------------+--------------------------+

**How to Apply**

DOJ is participating in the e-Government initiative, one of 25
initiatives included in the President's Management Agenda. Part of this
initiative \-- Grants.gov -- is a "one-stop storefront" that provides a
unified process for all customers of federal grants to find funding
opportunities and apply for funding.

**Grants.gov Instructions:** Complete instructions can be found at
[www.grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/). Please note that Grants.gov is
[not]{.underline} the Grants Management System (GMS) through which OVW
applicants have submitted applications in previous years. If you
experience difficulties at any point during this process, please call
the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at **1-800-518-4726**.

In addition, applicants must send [via overnight delivery]{.underline} a
complete hard-copy original of the application, including signed copies
of all required Assurances and Certifications, [postmarked by
**Wednesday, January 24, 2007**]{.underline} to:

**The Office on Violence Against Women**

**c/o Lockheed Martin Aspen Systems Corporation**

**OVW Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program**

**Mail Stop 2K**

**2277 Research Boulevard**

**Rockville, MD 20850**

**(301) 519-5000.**

**CFDA Number**: The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for
this program is 16.524, titled "Legal Assistance for Victims Grant
Program," and the funding opportunity number is OVW-2007-1501.

**A DUNS number is required:** The Office of Management and Budget
requires that all business and nonprofit applicants for Federal funds
include a DUNS (Data Universal Numeric System) number in their
application for a new award or renewal of an award. Applications without
a DUNS number are incomplete. A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit
sequence recognized as the universal standard for identifying and
keeping track of entities receiving Federal funds. The identifier is
used for tracking purposes and to validate address and point of contact
information. The DUNS number will be used throughout the grant life
cycle. Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, simple, one-time activity.
Obtain one by calling 1-866-705-5711 or by applying online at
[http://www.dunandbradstreet.com](http://www.dunandbradstreet.com/).
Individuals are exempt from this requirement.

**What an Application Must Include**

Applicants must complete each of the following sections as part of their
response to this solicitation. **It is the responsibility of the
applicant to ensure that the application is complete. OVW will remove
the application from consideration prior to peer review if the
application is substantially incomplete.** For each section listed
below, please note the corresponding maximum point value that may be
assigned during the review process. The proposal should follow the order
below for easy reading. [Please be sure to number each page of the
application.]{.underline} Peer reviewers will not score materials
submitted beyond those required by this solicitation.

Applications must use the following page format requirements:

-   Double spaced

-   8½ x 11 inch paper

-   One inch margins

-   Type no smaller than 12 point, Times New Roman font

-   No more than one page each for Summary Data Sheet and Abstract

-   No more than 5 pages for Status of the Project (if applicable)

-   No more than 20 pages for the Project Narrative (Items D through G
    below)

**Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)**

The SF-424 will be filled out online through Grants.gov. However, it
should also be printed out and included in the hard copy that is
submitted. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for this
program is 16.524 (block 10). Please be sure that the amount requested
matches the amount in the submitted budget, and that the total project
cost, including the Federal share, reflect 24 months of activity.

Applicants must ensure that the information for the authorizing official
and alternate contact is filled out correctly. The authorizing official
is the individual authorized to accept grant funds on behalf of the
jurisdiction or non-governmental private entity applying.

**Standard Assurances and Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment,
Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements (Form 4061/6)**

Review the assurances and certification forms. Agreement to these
assurances and certifications will be assumed upon receipt of an
application received through Grants.gov.

**Narrative (Total 65 Points)**

The following narrative will be submitted as an attachment in
Grants.gov.

A. [Summary Data Sheet]{.underline}

Please identify the following:

-   Name, title, address, phone number, and e-mail address for the
    authorized official.

-   The statewide, faith and/or community-based legal service
    provider(s), the domestic violence and/or sexual assault victim
    services program(s), and any other collaborating entity involved in
    the project; and

-   Other grants to support similar work for which you have applied to
    the U.S. Department of Justice, bureaus or offices within the Office
    of Justice Programs, other federal agencies, or the Legal Services
    Corporation.

B. [Abstract/Proposal Summary]{.underline}

The proposal abstract, when read separately from the rest of the
application, is meant to serve as a succinct and accurate description of
the proposed project and should describe concisely the current project
goals and objectives. Summaries of past accomplishments should be
avoided in the abstract.

Abstracts will be reviewed by the peer review panel according to the
following criteria:

-   Conciseness

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-   Accuracy in summarizing the Project Narrative.

C. [Status of the Current Project]{.underline}

> **Only applicants for continuation funding need to complete this
> section. This section will be used for internal review only.
> Applications that do not meet the criteria below may receive a
> deduction in points.** This section should be provided on a separate
> page as it is a separate section from the program narrative and does
> not count toward the page limits of the narrative. State what has been
> accomplished with previous funding under the Legal Assistance for
> Victims Grant Program, including the following:

-   A description of the goals and objectives from the prior grant
    period and a brief discussion of the status of the existing project:

-   The status of any project products;

-   Any unanticipated obstacles to project implementation; and

-   The approximate unobligated amount of award funds remaining as of
    January 24, 2007 the anticipated time line for expenditure of all
    remaining funds within the grant award period, whether the grantee
    anticipates requesting a no-cost extension of the award, and the
    likely timeline for such a request.

> This section should be as clear and succinct as possible.
>
> **Additionally, current projects will be rated by OVW using the
> following criteria:**

-   Whether progress reports submitted by the applicant, in conjunction
    with monitoring conducted by OVW, demonstrate the effectiveness of
    the current project, indicating progress toward meeting project
    goals and objectives, and demonstrate that the current project has
    progressed in a timely manner as outlined in the original proposal;

-   Whether the grantee has demonstrated that past activities supported
    with LAV grant funds have been limited to program Purpose Areas;

-   Whether the grantee has complied with all special conditions of its
    existing grant award from the Department of Justice;

-   Whether the grantee has adhered to programmatic and financial
    reporting requirements;

-   Whether the grantee has demonstrated a commitment to sustaining the
    project after federal funds are no longer available;

-   Whether the grantee appropriately utilized and actively participated
    in OVW-sponsored workshops and other technical assistance events as
    required by a special condition of the current award;

-   Whether the grantee has received financial clearances on all current
    grants from DOJ;

-   Whether the grantee has complied with the Office of Management and
    Budget audit requirement;

-   Whether grant funds have been spent in a timely manner.

> Please note, applicants with an OVW grant history that failed to meet
> grant deadlines, did not comply with Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
> financial requirements, or did not comply with special conditions from
> previous grants, will not be considered for funding.

D. [Purpose of Application]{.underline} (10 points)

> This section should briefly:
>
> • Describe the problem to be addressed and how funding would alleviate
> it;
>
> • Identify the target population and state how the target population
> would benefit from the proposed project (please use current
> demographic information of the service area in order to be as specific
> and detailed as possible when describing the population to be served);

-   Describe current services and gaps;

> • Describe the community\'s service area in which the project would be
> implemented, including location, population, and demographic
> information; and
>
> • Describe how the proposed project complements the State's STOP
> Violence Against Women Implementation Plan.

E. [What Will Be Done]{.underline} (40 points)

Applicants should detail the project goals and objectives, describe the
specific tasks and activities necessary for accomplishing each, and
include a reasonable time line that identifies when activities will be
accomplished. Supplemental grants must be based on the original project
goals, objectives, and activities; however, requests for modest project
expansion may be considered. The application should describe how
additional funding will continue and/or enhance the existing project.
This section should also include a description of the products, if any,
that will be generated and how these products could be used to assist
other communities to address the legal needs of victims of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. **LAV funds may
not be used to support the development of websites or video
production.** Some communities would not benefit from the development of
new products. Please provide an explanation if your application does not
contemplate the development of any products.

**The application should also provide a supervision or mentoring plan
for attorney staff involved in the project.**

F. [Who Will Implement the Project]{.underline} (10 points)

All applicants must identify the agency(ies) or office(s) responsible
for carrying out the project. This section should clearly identify all
of the project partners, specify their respective roles and
responsibilities, describe the collaborative relationship to be
developed/enhanced, and demonstrate the capacity of all project partners
to serve victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault,
and/or stalking.

G. [Sustainability Plan]{.underline} (5 points)

> As this is a competitive, discretionary program, there is no guarantee
> of continuation funding. Applicants are required to include a plan
> describing their commitment and capacity to continue the project if
> Federal funding through the LAV Program were no longer available.
>
> The plan will be evaluated on whether it proposes feasible strategies
> to preserve project activities long-term. **Continuation or
> supplemental funding is not guaranteed and applicants are always
> encouraged to seek additional means of support to sustain their
> current projects.**

**Budget Detail Worksheet and Narrative (15 Points)**

Each application must include a detailed budget and budget narrative for
the project. This will be submitted as an attachment in Grants.gov. The
budget must be complete, reasonable, and cost-effective in relation to
the proposed project. The budget should provide the basis for the
computation of all project-related costs. It should cover the cost of
all components of the project. There must be a clear link between the
proposed activities and the proposed budget items. The budget should
include only those activities, products, and resources that are
necessary for project implementation and discussed in the project
narrative.

In developing the budget, applicants should fairly compensate all
project partners for their participation in any project-related
activities, including but not limited to, compensation for time and
travel expenses to attend or provide project development, training, and
implementation. The budget must include compensation for all services
rendered by project partners, including nonprofit, nongovernmental
domestic violence and/or sexual assault victim services programs and
state and tribal domestic violence and/or sexual assault coalitions.

**Budget Caps**

The following award limits are firm and apply [even]{.underline} to
applications for supplemental funding. The proposed budget should be for
24 months and in proportion to the number of counties to be served.
Under no circumstances should the proposed budget exceed the following
limits:

-   Projects serving 1-9 counties or serving a population of 500,000 or
    fewer will be awarded no more than \$450,000.

-   Projects serving 10 counties or more, or serving a population of
    500,001 and over but not more than 900,000 and not serving an entire
    state will be awarded no more than \$650,000.

-   Projects that are statewide, or serving a population of 900,001 or
    more will be awarded no more than \$850,000.

-   Applicants serving tribal areas may approximate how many counties
    would be involved in their proposed project to determine their
    budget request.

-   Applications for continuation funding will be considered based on
    their current funding level. Current programs should also include an
    increase in the cost of living in their budget request. A very
    modest expansion of services may also be considered.

**OVW has the discretion to make grants for greater or lesser amounts
than requested and to negotiate the scope of work and budget with
applicants prior to award of a grant.**

**Budget Requirements**

The following is a short list of budget guidelines:

-   Applicants are strongly discouraged from requesting consultant rates
    in excess of \$450 per day, because they require prior approval from
    the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women.

-   Applicants **may not** allocate any funds for building renovations.
    This includes such seemingly minor activities as painting or
    carpeting.

-   Applicants may not use any OVW funds for conducting research.
    However, up to 1% of the budget may be allocated for the purpose of
    assessing the effectiveness of funded activities. For example, funds
    may be used to conduct pre and post testing of training recipients
    or victim satisfaction surveys. In conducting such testing or
    surveys, grantees may not collect, analyze or disseminate any
    information identifiable to a private person during the course of
    assessing the effectiveness of funded activities.

-   A contribution of non-Federal dollars ("match") is not required for
    this program, but applicants are encouraged to maximize the impact
    of Federal dollars by contributing to the costs of their projects.
    Supplemental contributions may be cash, in-kind services, or a
    combination of both. Any non-Federal contributions can be discussed
    in the project narrative; however, these supplemental contributions
    should not be included in the budget or budget narrative.

-   Access to current research and practice on violence against women
    through training and technical assistance can reduce staff burnout,
    improve project performance, and impact project sustainability.
    Therefore, OVW offers a wide range of training and technical
    assistance opportunities to all of its grantees. These offerings are
    specifically designed to assist grantees in meeting their goals and
    objectives and in complying with all relevant statutory and
    programmatic requirements. All applicants **are required** to
    allocate funds (\$15,000 for Tribal consortia and projects serving
    10 or more counties, and \$10,000 for projects serving 1-9
    counties), to support travel costs associated with technical
    assistance and capacity-building activities sponsored by
    OVW-designated technical assistance providers. Applications selected
    for funding that do not include the entire recommended amount will
    not receive additional funds for this purpose, but will be required
    to adjust their budgets to cover these costs prior to final approval
    of the proposal. This required amount must be included in the
    *"travel"* category. Please provide an estimated breakdown for this
    amount (include the number of trips, number of travelers, airfare or
    mileage, lodging, per diem, etc.). These funds are to be used
    **only** for OVW-designated technical assistance unless otherwise
    approved by OVW. **Any training and TA funds not used by the end of
    the grant period may not be reprogrammed and must be returned to
    OVW.** Travel funds should be used to support travel by
    [all]{.underline} partners, including nonprofit, nongovernmental
    victim services providers. For the sole purpose of supporting travel
    to OVW sponsored technical assistance events, applicants with five
    or more grant supported staff may exceed the above budget caps to
    support travel expenses for project partners.

-   Applicants are also encouraged to include funds in their budgets to
    attend Financial Management Training Seminars sponsored by the
    Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of the Comptroller. These
    seminars instruct participants in the financial administration of
    OJP and OVW formula and discretionary grant programs. A schedule
    listing the financial training seminars is available at
    <http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/oc/fmts.htm>[.]{.underline}

A Sample Budget Detail Worksheet is available at
<http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/Forms/budget_fillable.pdf>. The budget and
budget narrative should be submitted online as one attachment. When
preparing these items, please use the Budget Detail Worksheet as a guide
and be sure to include all necessary budget categories. The budget
should clearly describe the proposed amounts and uses of grant funds for
the duration of the grant period and how the amounts of the specific
budget items were determined.

**Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Memorandum of Exemption (MOE) (20
points)**

All applications, which are not from domestic violence or sexual assault
victims services agencies, [must]{.underline} include a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) as a separate attachment to the application. The MOU
must be current **(i.e., signed and dated during the development of the
proposal)** and developed and signed by the chief executive officers
and/or directors of all participating agencies such as nonprofit,
nongovernmental victim services programs, legal services programs,
Indian tribal governments and public entities not acting in a
governmental capacity. (See Sample MOU at Appendix B). **The MOU should
not exceed 8 pages.** This page limit does not include signature page.

**The MOU must:** Provide a brief history of the collaborative
relationship among the partners, including when and under what
circumstances the relationship began and when each partner joined the
collaboration.

-   Describe any changes in the collaboration, including an explanation
    or description of any new or additional partners that have been
    added or any partners that would no longer participate;

-   Specify the extent of each party's expertise and participation in
    developing the application;

-   Clearly state the roles and responsibilities each organization or
    agency will assume to ensure the success of the proposed project;

-   Identify the representatives of the planning and development team
    who will be responsible for planning, developing, and implementing
    project activities and describe how they will work together and how
    they will work with project staff;

-   Demonstrate a commitment on the part of all partners to work
    together to achieve stated project goals;

-   Indicate approval of the proposed project budget by all signing
    parties; and

-   Describe the resources each partner will contribute to the project
    either through time, in-kind contribution, or with the use of grant
    funds (for example, office space, project staff, training).

**Memorandum of Exemption (MOE)**

Applications from agencies that as their primary mission provide
services to domestic violence or sexual assault victims may submit a
Memorandum in Support of Request for Exemption (MOE) as a separate
attachment to the application. Applicants eligible to submit a MOE may
do so in place of the required MOU. (See Sample MOE at Appendix B). **An
organization that submits an MOE but which does not meet the criteria of
being a domestic violence or sexual assault victim services agency may
be removed from further consideration for funding.** **The MOE should
not exceed 5 pages.** The MOE should reflect the following:

\*\*One of the primary purposes of the victim services program is
providing services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence,
sexual assault, or stalking.

\*\*The length of time the victim services organization has operated.

\*\*Organization's accomplishments in the community.

**\*\*The applicant must include a copy of their agency mission
statement.**

The MOU/MOE should be a single document that includes signatures and
dates from all partners. Signatories should be sure to include their
titles and agencies under their signatures.

**Letter of Nonsupplanting**

Applicants must submit a letter to OVW's Director, certifying that
Federal funds will not be used to supplant State or local funds should a
grant award be made. Please refer to
<http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw/docs/nonsup_letter.pdf> for a sample letter.

**Financial Capability Questionnaire**

All nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that apply for funding with
OVW that have not previously (or within the last 3 years) received
funding from OVW or OJP must complete a Financial Capability
Questionnaire. The form can be found at <http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/oc>.
You should also include the cognizant Federal audit agency and fiscal
year on the first page. In addition, be sure to submit your current
year's audit report with the Financial Capability Questionnaire.

**Indirect Cost Rate Agreement**

If your organization is requesting indirect costs for this project,
please include a copy of your current, signed indirect cost rate
agreement. If you need additional information on this requirement,
please go to <http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/FinGuide/part3chap17.htm>.

**Selection Criteria**

In addition to the criteria above, all applications will also be rated
on the following:

-   The extent to which all proposed project activities fall within the
    statutory scope of the program.

-   The extent to which proposed activities would address the need
    described.

-   The extent to which project activities seem feasible and likely to
    succeed.

-   The extent to which the proposal does not include activities that
    compromise victim safety.

-   The extent to which project activities are clearly described and
    reflect sound and innovative strategies to improve victim safety.

-   The extent to which direct legal services will be provided.

-   The extent to which project activities can realistically be
    accomplished within 24 months.

Applications will also be evaluated by a peer review panel on whether
the application adheres to the following criteria:

**\*Provide comprehensive legal services to sexual assault, stalking,
domestic violence and dating violence victims who cannot afford legal
services as determined by the lead applicant or project partner after an
intake interview with the prospective client.**

Services should, as much as possible, include representation for
emergency and non-emergency protection order hearings and other legal
matters arising as a consequence of the abuse or violence, including
family, immigration, administrative agency, or housing matters,
protection or stay away order proceedings, and other similar matters.
However, grant funds may not be used to support law reform initiatives,
including but not limited to litigation.

**\*Provide comprehensive legal services to underserved communities.**

OVW encourages applicants to serve communities which have been
traditionally underserved. Applicants that propose to deliver services
to an underserved community must demonstrate a capacity to serve that
community. To demonstrate this, applicants may: 1) highlight their
organizations' accomplishments within the community; 2) show a history
of formal and informal collaborations in the community; and/or 3) obtain
letters of support from community-based organizations. None of these is
required and other methods of demonstrating capacity to serve a
traditionally underserved community are acceptable.[^9]

**\*Coordinate with local faith and/or community-based nonprofit,
nongovernmental sexual assault and/or domestic violence programs.**

All applicants must enter into formal collaborations with faith- and/or
community-based nonprofit, nongovernmental sexual assault and/or
domestic violence programs (e.g., rape crisis centers, local battered
women\'s shelters, victim advocacy organizations or coalitions). While a
limited number of legal services programs around the country are already
operated by sexual assault and/or domestic violence programs, most legal
services programs have not traditionally collaborated with domestic
violence or sexual assault organizations. To promote and enhance these
partnerships, the LAV Program requires that all applicants submit a
memorandum of understanding, signed by the leadership of all agencies or
organizations participating in the proposed project. Similarly, the
budget for the proposed project must reflect appropriate compensation
for staff from the participating sexual assault and/or domestic violence
programs and legal services programs.

**\*Implement guidelines outlined in The Legal Assistance for Victims
Grant Recipients' Policy Manual.**

Successful applicants will receive and are encouraged to implement
protocols directed at enhancing victim safety. These include protocols
regarding conflicts of interest, confidentiality, screening for domestic
violence, and providing services to enhance the safety of victims. *(The
LAV Grant Recipients' Policy Manual* *is available at
[www.usdoj.gov/ovw/publications]{.underline}*).

Also, the Office has an interest in projects that:

\*Establish or strengthen projects focused solely or primarily (60% or
more) on providing a broad range of legal representation to victims of
sexual assault.

\*Establish or strengthen programs that provide comprehensive
representation to adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating
violence, stalking and sexual assault on lands within the jurisdiction
of an Indian tribe.[^10]

\*Establish or strengthen programs that provide comprehensive
representation to victims of domestic violence, dating violence,
stalking, and sexual assault serving urban communities and/or linguistic
and cultural minorities.

**Review Process**

All applications will be subject to internal review by OVW staff and
peer review and will be scored according to the criteria set forth in
this solicitation. **If the application fails to meet the criteria
listed below for the initial internal review, the application will not
receive further consideration. If applications that are partially beyond
the scope of the program are sent to formal peer review, only those
sections of the application that are within scope will be reviewed.**
Criteria for the initial internal review follow:

\*Whether the application is complete;

\*Whether the proposed activities are within the scope of the program
(see page 7);

\*Whether all statutory eligibility criteria are met (see page 4);

\*Whether the minimum requirements for the program are met (see page 5);

\*Whether the application proposes significant activities that may
compromise victim safety (see page 8);

\*Whether the proposed budget is within the established limits (see page
14);

In addition, applications for continuation funding will be reviewed for
prior compliance with Program and Office requirements and the status of
current grant-funded activities. (See page 11 for further details on
criteria for this review.) Applicants with an OVW grant history that
failed to meet grant deadlines, did not comply with Office of Justice
Programs (OJP) financial requirements, or did not comply with special
conditions from previous grants, will not be considered for funding.

OVW will establish panels of experts and practitioners to review
applications. Each panel will review the information provided in the
application against the selection criteria for the program. Following
formal peer review, a second internal review will be conducted,
considering, for example, the geographic distribution of the
applications for a national perspective, the ratio of population to
services, and the type of projects already funded within an applicant's
state or community. The total points possible for an application are 100
(65 points for Narrative, 15 points for Budget, and 20 points for the
MOU or MOE). Applications with the highest composite scores will be
considered for funding.

**Additional Requirements**

-   Civil Rights Compliance

-   Confidentiality and Human Subjects Protections regulations

-   Anti-Lobbying Act

-   Financial and Government Audit Requirements

-   National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance

-   DOJ Information Technology Standards

-   Single Point of Contact Review

-   Non-Supplanting of State or Local Funds

-   Criminal Penalty for False Statements

-   Compliance with Office of the Comptroller Financial Guide
    *\[hyperlink\]*

-   Suspension or Termination of Funding

All OVW grantees must comply with these additional requirements.
Additional information for each can be found at
<http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/otherrequirements.htm>. References to
the Office of Justice Programs and its components are deemed to refer to
the Office on Violence Against Women, as applicable.

**OVW Application Checklist**

Applicants must submit a fully executed application to OVW via overnight
delivery, including all required supporting documentation.
**Applications will not be accepted via facsimile. Although most parts
of the application need to be submitted through Grants.gov as well as in
hard copy form, it is the hard copy that will be reviewed.**
Applications submitted via Grants.gov must be in the following word
processing formats: Microsoft Word (.doc), PDF files (.pdf), or Text
Documents (.txt).

Complete applications should include the following:

□ The SF-424;

□ Standard Assurances and Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment,
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug Free Workplace
Requirements;

□ The summary data sheet, project abstract, project narrative, and for
continuation applicants, the status of the project;

□ The budget, budget summary, and budget narrative;

□ Letter of nonsupplanting;

□ An MOU or MOE;

□ A current Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable);

□ Financial Capability Questionnaire, if applicable

□ Letter certifying compliance with minimum requirements

Detailed instructions on how to use the Grants.gov system to submit your
application online are available at
[www.grants.gov](http://www.grants.gov/). Also, a toll-free telephone
number has been established for you to receive technical assistance as
you work through the online application process, 1-800-518-4726.

To help expedite the review process, applicants must send via overnight
delivery a complete hard-copy original of the application, postmarked by
**Wednesday, January 24, 2007** to:

**The Office on Violence Against Women**

**c/o Lockheed Martin Aspen Systems Corporation**

**OVW Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program**

**Mail Stop 2K**

**2277 Research Boulevard**

**Rockville, MD 20850**

**(301) 519-5000**

![](media/image2.wmf)**U.S. Department of Justice**

**LAV/SV Partnership Initiative: Call for Concept Papers**

OVW is committed to building the capacity of victim service
organizations to effectively respond to domestic violence, sexual
assault, dating violence, and stalking and to foster partnerships
between organizations that have not traditionally worked together to
address violence against women. OVW believes that the public would be
better serviced with enhanced collaborative efforts between
organizations providing legal services to victims of violence and
agencies providing supervised visitation and safe exchanges through the
LAV/SV Partnership Initiative (the Initiative).

The purpose of the Initiative is to enable grantees under OVW's Safe
Havens: Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange (Safe Havens) Grant
Program to access legal services for their clients and to extend the
scope of services provided by LAV grantees. It is envisioned that the
results of this initiative will be a resource and model for community
organizations to coordinate their services to victims of violence on a
higher level.

OVW will select up to 5 five concept papers for further development and
funding consideration. The concept paper must provide a detailed plan
addressing how the LAV grantee will partner with a supervised
visitation/safe exchange provider, currently funded through a Safe
Havens grantee, to provide legal services to victims of domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking currently
receiving supervised visitation and safe exchange services.

**Eligibility**

All current LAV grantees (including FY 2006 grantees) and FY 2007
applicants are eligible to submit a concept paper to participate in the
LAV Special Initiative. FY 2007 LAV applicants interested in submitting
a concept paper must submit the concept paper separate from their LAV
application. Any concept papers included with or in an LAV application
will not be considered.

The lead partner proposed in the concept paper may be either a current
Safe Havens grantee or LAV grantee. Of the partnering agencies, one
agency must be selected as fiducially responsible for the grant.
Applicants will also need to demonstrate existing working relationship
with a Safe Haven service provider.

**Award Period**

The award period will be 24 months.

**Award Amount**

Selected projects will receive up to \$200,000 for 24 months, although
OVW reserves the right to make awards for lesser or greater amounts.

**How to Apply**

Applicants must send [via overnight delivery]{.underline} a complete
hard-copy original of the concept paper, postmarked by **Wednesday,
January 24, 2007** to:

OVW

800 K Street, NW, Suite 920

Washington, DC 20530

**Attn: LAV Special Initiative**

Phone: (202) 307-6026.

We strongly recommend that you use a trackable shipping method that will
allow you to confirm the delivery of your concept paper. Applicants
should retain proof of timely submission.

**What a Concept Paper Must Include**

Applicants must complete each of the following sections as part of their
response to this Call for Concept Papers. It is the responsibility of
the applicant to ensure that the concept paper is complete. OVW will
remove the concept paper from consideration prior to internal review if
the concept paper is incomplete. The proposal should follow the order
below for easy reading. [Please be sure to number each page of the
concept paper.]{.underline} Internal reviewers will not consider
materials submitted beyond those required by this call for concept
papers.

Concept papers must use the following page format requirements:

● No more than 10 pages

● Double spaced

● 8½ x 11 inch paper

● One inch margins

● Type no smaller than 12 point, Times New Roman font

Narrative

A. [Summary Data Sheet]{.underline}

The Summary Data Sheet must include the following:

-   Name of applicant

-   Project partner (must be either a current LAV or Safe Havens
    grantee)

-   Target audience

-   Geographic focus

-   Estimated project cost

-   A list of all current OVW grants and anticipated project completion
    dates from both the LAV grantee and the Safe Havens grantee.

B. [What Will Be Done]{.underline}

> This section should include the following:

-   Describe the target audience

-   State the goals and objectives of the proposal including:

    -   plan for the development of policy and practice standards for
        providing collaborative services

    -   partnership commitment to participate in 3-4 regional or
        national meetings

    -   participate in initiative assessment and follow-up by
        OVW-designated Technical Assistance providers

-   Provide a summary of activities that will be undertaken to
    accomplish the project goals and objectives and provide a
    corresponding timeline for the completion of each activity

-   Describe what services are currently offered in the community being
    served

-   Describe what services are currently offered to those accessing the
    Safe Havens Supervised Visitation center

C. [Who Will Implement the Project]{.underline}

> This section should include the following:
>
> ● Identify the LAV and Safe Haven recipient organizations and
> individuals who will implement the project and describe the role of
> each

-   Describe the capacity of the organization/s to undertake the
    project.

-   Describe the proposed staffing (including consultants) for the
    initiative

● List the qualifications and experience of proposed staff/consultants

> ● If you are proposing to utilize consultants, indicate the estimated
> daily rate for each consultant

D.  [Letters of Support]{.underline}

> Letters of support must be included from all project partners. Letters
> of Support should be provided by the supervised visitation center(s)
> currently funded by a Safe Havens grantee. Letters should describe the
> partners' role in the project, as well as their commitment to the
> collaboration.

[Note]{.underline}: A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), a budget, and a
budget narrative are not required for the concept paper. Those concept
papers that receive the highest overall scores will be invited to submit
a full application, which will include a budget and budget narrative,
and possibly an MOU.

**Review Process**

Complete concept papers will be subject to internal OVW review. OVW
staff will contact selected applicants to submit a full application. At
that time, those applicants will be required to submit full
applications, including budgets.

Applicants with an OVW grant history that failed to meet grant
deadlines, did not comply with Office of Justice Programs (OJP)
financial requirements, or did not comply with special conditions from
previous grants, will not be considered for funding.

**APPENDIX A**

**Sample Certification Letter**

\[Applicant Letterhead\]

\[date\]

Director

Office on Violence Against Women

800 K Street, NW

Washington, DC 20530

Dear Director:

This letter serves to certify that \[Applicant\] is in compliance with
the following statutory requirements:

\(1\) Any person providing legal assistance through a program funded
under this Program has completed or will complete training in connection
with domestic violence, dating violence, or sexual assault and related
legal issues.

\(2\) Any training program conducted in satisfaction of the requirement
of paragraph (1) has been or will be developed with input from and in
collaboration with a tribal, State, territorial, or local domestic
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking organization or
coalition, as well as appropriate tribal, State, territorial, and local
law enforcement officials.

\(3\) Any person or organization providing legal assistance through a
program funded under this Program has informed and will continue to
inform State, local, or tribal domestic violence, dating violence or
sexual assault programs and coalitions, as well as appropriate State and
local law enforcement officials of their work.

\(4\) The grantee\'s organizational policies do not require mediation or
counseling involving offenders and victims physically together, in cases
where sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or child
sexual abuse is an issue.

Sincerely,

\[Applicant\'s Authorizing Official\]

**APPENDIX B**

**Sample Memorandum of Understanding**

**Sample Memorandum of Exemption**

***SAMPLE***

**\[Applicant Letterhead\]**

**Memorandum of Understanding**

**WHEREAS, Legal Services of America (\"LSA\") \[applicant\], XYZ Legal
Aid and the ABC Safety Shelter Project have come together to collaborate
and to make an application for Legal Assistance for Victims grant; and**

**WHEREAS, the partners listed above have agreed to enter into a
collaborative agreement in which LSA will be the lead agency and named
applicant and the other agencies will be partners in this application;
and**

**WHEREAS, the partners herein desire to enter into a Memorandum of
Understanding setting forth the services to be provided by the
collaborative; and**

**WHEREAS, the application prepared and approved by the collaborative
through its partners is to be submitted to the Office on Violence
Against Women on or before January 24, 2007;**

***\[Description of Collaborative Relationship\]***

-   *provide a brief history of the collaborative relationship between
    the partners, including when and under what circumstances the
    relationship began and when each partner joined the collaboration;*

-   *describe any changes in the collaboration, including an explanation
    or description of any new or additional partners that have been
    added, or any partners that would no longer participate;*

    **NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed by and between the partners as
    follows:**

-   *specify the extent of each party's participation in developing the
    application;*

-   *clearly state the roles and responsibilities each organization or
    agency will assume to ensure the success of the proposed project;*

-   *identify the representatives of the planning and development team
    who will be responsible for planning, developing and implementing
    project activities and describe how they will work together and how
    they will work with project staff;*

-   *demonstrate a commitment on the part of all partners to work
    together to achieve stated project goals; and*

-   *indicate approval of the proposed project budget by all signing
    parties.*

    **The partners will provide legal services to victims of domestic
    violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking including:**

    * specify the extent of each party's participation in developing
    the application;*

    * clearly state the roles and responsibilities each organization or
    agency will assume to ensure the success of the proposed project;*

    * identify the representatives of the planning and development team
    who will be responsible for planning, developing and implementing
    project activities and* *describe how they will work together and
    how they will work with project staff;*

    * demonstrate a commitment on the part of all partners to work
    together to achieve stated project goals; and*

    * indicate approval of the proposed project budget by all signing
    parties.*

    **1. LSA and XYZ will provide legal services to victims of domestic
    violence that will include:**

    ***\[Describe the resources each partner will contribute to the
    project either through time, in-kind contribution or with the use of
    grant funds (for example, office space, project staff,
    training).\]***

    **a. obtaining protection orders, providing representation for
    divorce, custody and/or visitation cases and obtain child support
    orders;**

    **b. providing representation for administrative matters such as
    access to benefits for housing and/or landlord/tenant matters, and
    for matters related to employment, including unemployment
    compensation;**

    **c. providing other legal services that may become necessary to
    properly and completely represent a victim of domestic violence;**

    **d. develop programs to reach diverse and traditionally underserved
    populations, including racial, cultural, or ethnic minorities; the
    disabled; language minorities; or domestic violence victims in rural
    or inner-city areas.**

    **2. LSA and ABC will collaborate in the following manner:**

    **a. provide services such as comprehensive initial and on-going
    training to ensure a consistent level of qualified representation by
    attorneys and/or legal advocates knowledgeable about the law and
    sensitive to the dynamics of battering relationships;**

    **b. attorney representing domestic violence client will confer with
    victim advocate about pending case where necessary with client's
    permission;**

    **c. meet at least three times a month for case referral reviews and
    follow- up.**

    **3. LSA and ABC will collaborate in the following manner:**

    **a. LSA will:**

    **1. refer clients to ABC for counseling, advocacy, resources;**

    **2. train all attorneys on interviewing, safety planning; and**

    **3. conduct monthly outreach on legal procedures for shelter
    clients.**

    **b. ABC will:**

    **1. train LSA attorneys every three months on emerging issues;**

    **2. train all staff funded by grant initially on the dynamics of
    domestic violence and safety issues**

    **3. The collaboration service area includes a ten county area in
    \[your State\]. The ten counties to be served are:**

    **4. The partners agree to collaborate and provide legal, advocacy
    and training services to victims of domestic violence and to other
    providers of victims of domestic violence pursuant to the program
    narrative of the grant application attached to this agreement.**

    **5. Compensation for \[non-lead\] partners\' contribution to this
    project will be provided as outlined in the attached OVW budget
    detail. By signing here, each entity signifies approval of this
    collaboration including the proposed budget.**

    **\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**[^11]

    **XYZ Legal Aid \[applicant\'s authorizing official\]**

    **\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

    **LSA**

    **\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

    **ABC Safety Shelter Project**

    **Dated: January 10, 2007**

    **cc: Agencies and Interested Parties**

    ***SAMPLE***

    **\[Applicant Letterhead\]**

    **Memorandum in Support of Exemption**

    **The \[applicant\] is a domestic violence/sexual assault victim
    services program and is applying for a Legal Assistance for Victims
    Grant; and**

    **The applicant has operated in the community for \_\_\_\_\_\_\_
    years and provides the following services for victims
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_;**

    **The applicant's accomplishments in the community
    are:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_;**

    **The applicant collaborates formally and/or informally with the
    following organizations in the following
    manner:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_;**

    **Letters of Support from the organizations listed above are
    attached hereto;**

    **The applicant proposes to provide on-site legal advocacy and/or
    on-site legal services in the following manner:
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_;**

    **The applicant is well suited to provide on-site legal advocacy
    and/or on-site legal services without the benefit of collaboration
    with a legal services organization because
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_;**

    **Applicant's other noteworthy accomplishments and/or special
    expertise
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

    **\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_;**

    **The applicant has included a copy of the agency's mission
    statement.**

    **Based on the foregoing, the applicant respectfully requests
    exemption from the collaboration requirement of this grant
    program.**

    **\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

    **Name, Title**

    **Date: January 10, 2007**

**cc: Agencies and Interested Parties**

[^1]: Legal Assistance includes assistance to adult and youth victims of
    domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in:
    a) family, tribal, territorial, immigration, employment,
    administrative agency, housing matters, campus administrative or
    protection or stay away order proceedings, and other similar
    matters; and b) criminal justice investigations, prosecutions and
    post-trial matters (including sentencing, parole, and probation)
    that impact the victim's safety and privacy.

[^2]: A territorial organization is a nonprofit, nongovernmental
    organization addressing domestic violence or sexual assault within a
    United States territory.

[^3]: The term \"tribal organization\" means the governing body of any
    Indian tribe; any legally established organization of Indians which
    is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body of a
    tribe or tribes to be served, or which is democratically elected by
    the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such
    organization and which includes the maximum participation of Indians
    in all phases of its activities; or any tribal nonprofit
    organization. The term \"tribal non profit organization" means a
    victim services provider that has as its primary purpose to assist
    Native victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual
    assault, or stalking; and that has staff and leadership with a
    demonstrated history of assisting American Indian or Alaska Native
    victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or
    stalking.

[^4]: Any applicant representing a consortium of tribal governments
    and/or organizations must submit a resolution from the constituent
    tribal governments and/or organizations supporting the application.

[^5]: 42 U.S.C. 3796gg-6(d).

[^6]: A domestic violence, dating violence or sexual assault victim
    services program is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization with a
    documented history of effective work concerning domestic violence,
    dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and that assists
    victims by providing social services, case management, referrals,
    and housing, for example.

[^7]: 42 U.S.C. 3796gg-6(c).

[^8]: ^8^ Applicants in states and/or jurisdictions where mediation is
    required may be exempt from this requirement when such is stated as
    justification for engaging in this practice.

[^9]: The term "underserved populations" includes populations
    underserved because of geographic location, underserved racial and
    ethnic populations, and populations underserved because of special
    needs (such as language barriers, disabilities, alienage status, or
    age). 42 U.S.C. 13925 (32)

[^10]: For the purposes of this grant program, *Indian tribe* is defined
    as any tribe, band, pueblo, nation or other organized group or
    community of Indians, including an Alaska Native village or regional
    or village corporation (as defined in or established under the
    Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 43 U.S.C 1601 et seq.), that is
    recognized as eligible for the special programs and services
    provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as
    Indians. Any applicant representing a consortium of tribal
    governments and/or organizations must submit a resolution from the
    constituent tribal governments and/or organizations supporting the
    application.

[^11]: ^9^ ^9^Each application must include, as an attachment, a current
    **(i.e., signed and dated during the development of the proposal)**
    Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) developed and ***signed by the
    chief executive officers and/or directors of all participating
    agencies*** including nonprofit, nongovernmental domestic violence
    programs and legal services programs.