NCJ Number
184925
Date Published
May 1999
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Under the Federal Children's Justice Act Partnerships for Indian Communities (CJA), the Federal Crime Victims Division within the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) provides funding to assist American Indian tribes in developing, establishing, and operating programs to improve the investigation, prosecution, and handling of child abuse cases in a manner that limits additional trauma to the child victims, particularly those who have been sexually abused.
Abstract
OVC supports 8 to 10 grants for a 12-month period, with potential continuation for 2 additional years. Each grant requires an "in-kind" match in order to evoke tribal investment, thereby promoting the tribe's ability to establish a program that can endure after OVC funding ends. The in-kind match must be in the form of staff time, facilities, office space and utilities, employee details or loans, and agency partnerships. Cash is allowable in lieu of an in-kind match. The first-year award is limited to $60,000 per grantee with a 10-percent in-kind match. The second year of funding is contingent upon the grantee's performance, the success of the project, and the availability of Federal funds. If the second year is approved, funding will be $75,000 with a 15-percent in-kind match; and the third year of funding will be $75,000, with a 25-percent in-kind match. Eligible applicants are federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations. Grant awards are limited to tribal organizations as defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. This paper summarizes the improvements that have resulted from the handling of child abuse cases on Indian Reservations under CJA grant funding. Examples of funded activities are described for 38 tribal organizations.