S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

The Office for Victims Programs is responsible for administering the S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funds.  The Crime Victim Services Advisory Board makes funding recommendations to the Executive Director of the Department of Public Safety. Grant awards are made through a competitive application process; successful applicants are funded for a two-year grant period.   Approximately $1.6 - $1.8 million dollars in VAWA funds are distributed annually to organizations that address violence against women.  The goal of VAWA funds is to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement, prosecution, judicial strategies and victim services throughout Colorado in cases involving violent crimes against women defined as domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence.

Purpose Areas

Projects in fourteen federal purpose areas that include comprehensive training projects (especially multi-disciplinary training); specialized units such as programs in law enforcement or district attorneys' offices; projects developing protocols, policies, and evaluation mechanisms; projects developing data collection and communication systems; sexual assault and domestic violence victim services programs; projects concerning stalking; projects designed for Native American women; projects addressing the needs of older, disabled, and other underserved women; projects supporting statewide multidisciplinary efforts; training of sexual assault forensic medical personnel; and assistance for domestic violence and sexual assault victims with immigration matters.

Eligibility

Offices and agencies of the state of Colorado government; units of local government; nonprofit, non-governmental victim services programs; Indian tribal governments; and faithbased organizations within the state of Colorado are eligible.

Funding Cycle

Federal VAWA funds are distributed through the Crime Victim Services Advisory Board. Grants are awarded for a two year period of time. The next grant application will be released in January 2012 for 2013 and 2014. More information may be found by clicking here.

Grant Amounts

The amount of money available fluctuates from year to year depending on the amount awarded by Congress. The total amount available for distribution each year has been approximately 1.8-1.9 million. At least 25% of all awarded dollars must be allocated to law enforcement activities; 25% to prosecution activities, 30% to victim services activities (of which 10% must be for culturally specific community based organizations), and 5% to courts and court related activities.

Fund Source

Federal S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Act from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Requirements

All applicants, other than non-profit, non-government victim services agencies, must provide 25% non-federal cash or in-kind match. Non-profit, non-governmental victim services agencies are encouraged to voluntarily provide match.

HOW TO APPLY

The application process for CVS Funding for CY2013-2014 has begun. Materials related to the funding process may be found here.

To be placed on the mailing list, fax or mail your name, address and phone number to:

Division of Criminal Justice
Office for Victims Programs
700 Kipling St., Ste 1000
Denver, CO 80215
303-239-5719
1-888-282-1080 Toll free outside the Denver Metro area
Fax: 303-239-5743