Funds will only be awarded to agencies which “provide victim services, justice support to victims of crime, training, community education, crime prevention, or technical assistance to victim service providers and allied professionals. Awarded funds shall not be used to supplant other available or mandated funds.” IAC 61—9.56.
The applicant for funds must be “a local or statewide government agency or a public or private nonprofit organization, or combination thereof, IAC 61—9.51 and 9.56(1).
Services provided to victims shall include but are not limited to crisis intervention, civil and criminal court advocacy and support, group and individual follow-up counseling, transportation, and information and referral. IAC 61—9.56(2).
“An applicant providing services to victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and other violent crimes must also provide or arrange safe shelter or housing for victims and their children when needed at no cost to the victims.” IAC 61—9.56(3).
“An applicant providing services to victims of sexual abuse must also provide support to victims at the time of an evidentiary sexual abuse examination.” IAC 61—9.56(4).
“The applicant shall promote within the community a coordinated public and private effort to assist crime victims.” IAC 61—9.56(5).
“The applicant shall be an equal-opportunity employer and provide services on an equal-opportunity basis.” IAC 61—9.56(6).
“The applicant shall comply with applicable federal and state statutes and rules, all requirements specified in the grant between the section and any funding source, and all requirements set forth in the funding application or any other contractual document.” IAC 61—9.56(7).
“The applicant shall assist victims in seeking state crime victim compensation benefits.” IAC 61—9.56(8)
“The applicant shall have a grievance procedure established for victims, employees, and volunteers.” IAC 61—9.56(9).
“The applicant shall ensure that all employees and volunteers of crime victim centers providing direct services to victims are trained as victim counselors as defined in Iowa Code section 915.20A.” IAC 61—9.56(10).
“The applicant shall provide services within the geographical service area without regard to a victim’s ability to pay.” IAC 61—9.56(11).
“An existing program must document results of prior program activities demonstrating that the needs of victims have been met.” IAC 61—9.56(12).
An applicant wishing to apply for victim services funding is not required to have a unique entity identifier (UEI); however, organizations who receive direct federal grants must have one. UEIs are free and are issued by the federal System for Administrative Management (SAM). To obtain a UEI, visit SAM.gov. It takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks to obtain a UEI.
Organizations or persons who have been notified they are suspended or debarred by the federal government cannot do business with the federal government. Those entities are published on SAM.gov. Causes for suspension or debarment include fraud, embezzlement, theft, forgery, falsification of records, tax evasion, or other acts that violate federal regulations. For more information, go to General Services Administration website.
If not already a registered organization in Iowa Department of Justice Grants, at least one person from the organization must be a registered user. For more information, go to the grants management system and follow the instructions to register.
New and returning applicants must update their profile in Iowa Department of Justice Grants. Profile pages are found by clicking on the down arrow next to the username in the upper right corner of the screen.
The applicant must have a financial system in place to track and report on each funding source separately.
The applicant must be able to track and report victim services data.
The applicant must ensure the health and safety of victims and cannot engage in activities which compromise recovery, deter healing, or hurt victims.
The applicant must work collectively and cooperatively to ensure offenders are held accountable and victims are treated with dignity, respect and assistance as they navigate the criminal justice system.
The applicant must have policies and procedures in place to meet federal and state requirements. See chapter five for more information.
