U.S. Department of Justice: Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program

The Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program will develop or enhance crime victim specialist programs within law enforcement agencies to better support victims through the criminal justice process including by connecting them with coordinated and trauma-informed direct victim services programs to more quickly and more effectively serve them. Among the most immediate needs are often referrals to victim assistance and compensation programs and informing them of their rights as crime victims. The objective is to support law enforcement agencies in identifying victims, and more quickly referring them to, community programs that deliver victim services that:

• Respond to the emotional, psychological, and/or physical needs of crime victims, and offer referrals to other community resources to help meet these needs
• Assist victims as they stabilize their lives after victimization
• Assist victims to understand and more effectively participate in the criminal justice system, and be informed of their rights as a victim of crime, and how to exercise those rights
• Restore a measure of security and safety for the victim
• Address other allowable victim needs identified by the grantee

Funding under this program will support state, tribal, and/or local law enforcement agencies—preferably divided among small, mid-sized, and large jurisdictions—to hire staff to develop new programs or enhance existing law enforcement-based victim specialist programs. These programs should have a strong focus on assisting and supporting victims in high-crime areas and communities particularly affected by violence, and improving care and services to these crime victims.

In addition, significant funding is available for potential awards to support law enforcement based victim specialists focused specifically on serving tribal communities or populations.

Amount: A total of 80 awards are expected to be made, divided among jurisdictions of various sizes:

• Small (non-federal departments employing fewer than 250 full-time sworn officers): Awards of up to $92,000 per year over 3 years with a maximum award of up to $276,000
• Medium (non-federal departments employing 250-1,000 full-time sworn officers): Awards of up to $150,000 per year over 3 years with a maximum award of up to $450,000
• Large (non-federal departments employing more than 1,000 full-time sworn officers): Awards of up to $275,000 per year over 3 years with a maximum award of up to $825,000
• Tribal: Additional awards are available of up to $150,000 per year over 3 years with a maximum of $450,000

Eligibility: Public law enforcement agencies, including municipal, county, state, and tribal agencies. Tribal agencies must be of federally recognized Indian tribal governments.

Link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=316401

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