Domestic Violence Community Response Team Act of 1994

Summary: Domestic Violence Community Response Team Act of 1994 - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to encourage eligible entities to develop community response teams to combat domestic violence.  Directs that grants be awarded in a manner that ensure geographic and demographic diversity. 
Sets forth provisions regarding:  (1) grant amounts and duration; (2) eligibile entities; (3) the role of community response teams; and (4) applications and other requirements. 
Authorizes the Secretary to award a contract to an eligible entity to serve as a technical assistance center under this Act. 
Authorizes appropriations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Domestic Violence Community Response 
Team Act of 1994''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to--
            (1) establish and strengthen the partnership between law 
        enforcement and community groups in order to assist victims of 
        domestic violence;
            (2) provide early intervention and follow up services in 
        order to prevent future incidents of domestic violence; and
            (3) establish a central technical assistance center for the 
        collection and provision of programmatic information and 
        technical assistance.

SEC. 3. GRANTS AUTHORIZED FOR COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAMS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
(referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary''), is authorized to award 
grants to encourage eligible entities to develop community response 
teams to combat domestic violence. Grants shall be awarded in a manner 
that ensures geographic and demographic diversity.
    (b) Maximum Amount.--The Secretary shall not award a grant under 
this section in an amount which exceeds $500,000.
    (c) Duration.--The Secretary shall award grants under this section 
for a period not to exceed 3 years.
    (d) Eligible Entity.--
            (1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term 
        ``eligible entity'' means a nonprofit, community-based 
        organization whose primary purpose involves domestic violence 
        prevention. The organization must have a proven track record of 
        expertise in providing services to victims of domestic violence 
        and collaborating with existing service providers and support 
        agencies in the community.
            (2) Additional requirements.--An eligible entity shall--
                    (A) act in partnership with local law enforcement 
                agencies to carry out the purposes of this Act; and
                    (B) understand, be able to respond adequately to, 
                and if possible reflect the racial, ethnic, and lingual 
                diversity of the community.
    (e) Role of Community Response Teams.--Community response teams 
established pursuant to this section shall--
            (1) provide community advocates to work (in conjunction 
        with local police) with victims immediately after incidents of 
        domestic violence;
            (2) educate victims about the legal process with respect to 
        restraining orders and civil and criminal charges;
            (3) discuss immediate safety arrangements and child care 
        needs, and educate victims about resources provided by local 
        agencies;
            (4) provide for follow-up services and counseling with 
        local support agencies; and
            (5) educate victims regarding abuse tactics, including 
        increased incidence of violence that occurs after repeated 
        episodes of violence.
    (f) Applications.--
            (1) In general.--Applications for grants pursuant to this 
        section shall be submitted to the Secretary at such time, in 
        such manner, and accompanied by such information as the 
        Secretary may reasonably require.
            (2) Contents.--Each application submitted pursuant to 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) include a complete description of the eligible 
                entity's plan for operating a community-based 
                partnership between law enforcement officials and 
                community organizations;
                    (B) demonstrate effective community leadership, 
                commitment to community action, and commitment to 
                working with affected populations;
                    (C) provide for periodic project evaluation through 
                written report and analysis in order to assist in 
                applying successful programs to other communities; and
                    (D) demonstrate an understanding of the population 
                to be served (racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic 
                characteristics which influence women's roles and 
                affect treatment).

SEC. 4. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to award a contract to 
an eligible entity to serve as a technical assistance center under this 
Act. The technical assistance center shall--
            (1) serve as a national information, training, and material 
        development source for the development and support of community 
        response teams nationwide; and
            (2) provide technical support and input to community 
        programs, including helping local groups start their own 
        programs and providing training for community volunteer staff 
        persons.
    (b) Eligible Entity.--For purposes of this section, the term 
``eligible entity'' means a nonprofit organization with a primary focus 
on domestic violence prevention and a proven track record of expertise 
in providing technical assistance, information, training, and resource 
development on some aspect of domestic violence service provision or 
prevention. An eligible entity shall be selected by the Secretary under 
this section based on competence, experience, and a proven ability to 
conduct national-level organization and program development. The 
eligible entity shall provide the Secretary with evidence of support 
from community-based domestic violence organizations for the 
designation of the eligible entity as the technical assistance center.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal years 
1996, 1997, and 1998 to carry out the provisions of this Act of which 
$300,000 shall be available for a grant under section 4. Not to exceed 
5 percent of any grant made under this Act may be used by the grantee 
for administrative purposes.