Crime Victim Assistance Program

Awards are competitive and based on the Crime Victim Assistance Program Rules (R10-4-201 to R10-4-204) and priorities approved annually by the Commission.

1. Grant Requirements
2. Ineligible Services/Expenses
3. Grant Award Process
4. Appeal Process
5. Reporting Requirements

Grant Requirements

• Grantees must be operated by a public agency or private non-profit organization. Documentation of non-profit status must be submitted with the application.
• Grantees must assist victims in obtaining victim compensation.
• Grantees must utilize volunteers in the program.
• Grantees must promote coordinated public and private efforts to aid victims.
• Existing programs are required to provide a 50 percent match to grant dollars awarded.
• New programs are required to provide a 25 percent match to grant dollars awarded and demonstrate a need for services that are not currently being met.
• Grantees must submit quarterly financial reports and file an annual performance report.
• Programs are subject to monitoring visits and will be evaluated on stated goals and objectives outlined in the application.

Ineligible Services/Expenses

• Crime prevention efforts other than those aimed at providing specific emergency services after victimization
• General public relations programs
• Advocacy for particular legislative or administrative reforms
• General criminal justice agency improvement
• Programs in which victims are not the primary beneficiaries
• Management and other training for persons who do not provide direct services to victims
• Victim compensation as provided under the Victim Compensation Program Rules

Grant Award Process

Solicitation letters will be sent at least six weeks prior to the due date of the application. Request For Proposals (RFPs) will include the total dollars available and source of funds, description and scope of the program, program requirements, and identify that multiple awards will be considered. Applications will be publicly received at the Commission on or before the specified application due date. An evaluation team comprised of two Commission staff and one non-agency member will evaluate each grant application according to the Crime Victim Assistance Rules and the priorities established by the Commission. The Commission staff will make a recommendation to the Crime Victims Committee of the Commission in an open public meeting announced to all applicants. The full Commission will then award grant funds to eligible programs in an open public meeting announced to all applicants.

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Budget costs are reasonable and allowable. Construction projects and land acquisitions are prohibited.
2. Financial support is available to the program to match grant funds.
3. Services to be provided are eligible under Crime Victim Assistance Rules.
4. Use of volunteers in the program.
5. Assistance in obtaining victim compensation.
6. Collaboration efforts of the program with other agencies.
7. Existing programs demonstrate the success of the current program.
8. New programs demonstrate a need for services that are not currently being met.
9. Goals and objectives are reasonable and achievable.
10. Performance measures clearly identify the success of the program.
11. Programs previously funded by the Commission have met the requirements of the grant.

In addition to the above criteria, the following priorities were approved by the Commission for FY 2005 and are included in the evaluation process:

1. Programs that provide unduplicated services within a 35-mile radius.
2. Programs that provided multiple services to a diverse range of crime victims.
3. Programs that demonstrate the highest ratio of advocates to victims serviced.
4. Programs that demonstrate the highest ratio of victims to services provided.
5. Programs from counties with the highest crime per capita based on the latest Uniform Crime Report. Crime data is based on all Index Crimes reported and Part II Victim Crimes only.
6. Programs that demonstrate clear goals and objective that emphasize direct services to victims of crime. Programs must identify how the success of the program will be measured.
7. Programs that demonstrate a strong collaborative effort with law enforcement, prosecution, service providers, community organizations, and other social service agencies.
8. Programs that demonstrate a strong component of assisting crime victims in filing victim compensation claims.

Appeal Process

Protests of an award or proposed award may be made to the chair of the Commission. An appeal of a decision of the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission for an award for the Crime Victim Assistance Program may be made to the director of the Department of Administration and shall be resolved in accordance with the Rules of Procedure pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-2611.

Reporting Requirement

Grant recipients are required to submit four quarterly financial reports during the grant period and an annual performance report at the end of the grant period. The annual performance report captures data on services provided to victims, types of crime, victim demographics, assistance with accessing the ACJC Crime Victim Assistance Program, and utilization of volunteers in their programs. In addition, the annual performance report requires the grant recipients to provide narrative responses to several questions, including any notable issues or trends affecting crime victim services in their communities. Information contained in the annual performance reports assists the Commission in continuing to improve the program.