Enhancing Victim Services for Underserved Populations

Background:

The Underserved Program operates under the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), established in 1995 as part of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). It administers grant programs authorized by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and subsequent legislation, focusing on combating domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The Underserved Program specifically targets adult and youth victims of these crimes in underserved populations, aiming to develop or enhance population-specific outreach and victim services.

Project Description:

The Underserved Program supports efforts to develop or enhance population-specific outreach and victim services for individuals affected by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in underserved populations. Activities include developing victim services, enhancing outreach strategies, building organizational capacities, providing training for service providers and justice system professionals, and implementing tailored outreach, education, prevention, and intervention strategies. The program is bound by statutory requirements, federal regulations, and OVW policies, ensuring compliance with solicitation guidelines, the DOJ Financial Guide, the Solicitation Companion Guide, and award conditions.

Project Scope:

Activities supported by the Underserved Program are determined by statute, federal regulations, and OVW policies, binding funded projects to specific requirements outlined in the solicitation, DOJ Financial Guide, Solicitation Companion Guide, and award conditions. The program aims to address barriers underserved populations face in accessing and utilizing victim services, focusing on victim-centred approaches and promoting accountability within the justice system.

Purpose Areas:

1. Working with governmental and non-governmental entities to develop or enhance population-specific services.
2. Strengthening the capacity of underserved populations and traditional victim service providers to provide population-specific services.
3. Providing population-specific training for justice system professionals to enhance their response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in underserved populations.
4. Developing and implementing outreach, education, prevention, and intervention strategies tailored to the needs of victims from underserved populations.
5. Providing population-specific training for social and human service providers to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in underserved populations.

Priority Areas:

OVW has identified strengthening efforts to prevent and end sexual assault, including victim services and civil and criminal justice responses, as a priority area. You are encouraged to address this priority area, focusing on non-intimate partner sexual assault, adult survivors of child sexual abuse, and activities such as direct victim services, community outreach, and training.

Goals:

1. Enhance population-specific outreach and victim services for adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in underserved populations.
2. Strengthen the capacity of underserved populations and victim service providers to provide population-specific services.
3. Improve the response to criminal and civil justice interventions by providing population-specific training.
4. Develop and implement outreach, education, prevention, and intervention strategies to address the specific needs of victims from underserved populations.

Objectives:

1. Increase access to population-specific victim services for underserved populations.
2. Improve the capacity of underserved populations and service providers to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
3. Enhance the effectiveness of criminal and civil justice responses to these crimes in underserved populations.
4. Raise awareness and provide resources to prevent and address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in underserved communities.

Job Description (Fully Remotely):

• Coordinate and manage the implementation of grant-funded projects aimed at developing or enhancing population-specific outreach and victim services.
• Collaborate with community partners, government agencies, and organizations to develop and implement strategies to reach underserved survivors.
• Provide training and education to stakeholders on the needs of survivors from underserved populations.
• Develop culturally and linguistically appropriate materials for underserved survivors.
• Monitor project progress and ensure compliance with grant requirements and objectives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., social work, criminal justice, public health).
• Experience working with underserved populations and addressing issues related to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and best practices in victim services.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and community partners.
• Familiarity with grant management and reporting processes is preferred.

Our Responsibility:

It includes facilitating collaboration with the Researcher to prepare the grant application for the Archaeology Program Senior Research Awards. Additionally, we provide administrative support for the application process, including completing necessary documents and utilizing Grants.gov workspace. We submit the application through Windsor University’s workspace and, if awarded, administer the received funds, ensuring compliance with grant requirements. Throughout the project, we collaborate with the Researcher, offering resources and support as agreed upon.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategies to enhance population-specific outreach and victim services.
• Collaborate with federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, agencies, and organizations to develop and enhance population-specific services.
• Coordinate with underserved populations and victim service providers to strengthen their capacity to provide population-specific services.
• Organize and conduct population-specific training sessions for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and other court personnel.
• Work with underserved populations to develop and implement outreach, education, prevention, and intervention strategies.
• Create culturally and linguistically appropriate materials for underserved survivors.
• Ensure compliance with program requirements, federal regulations, and OVW policies.