Description
MODIFICATION TO FORECAST: This Forecast has been modified to update eligibility, which now includes county governments, city and township governments, Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments). The Forecast is also modified to provide additional clarification on expected grant activities and use of project funds. The Family Violence Prevention and Services Discretionary Grants: Specialized Services for Abused Parents and Their Children (Demonstration Projects) will support up to 24 demonstration projects. Funded demonstration projects will focus on expanding their capacity (as family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence coalitions; local programs; tribal communities; and community-based programs) to prevent future domestic violence by addressing, in an appropriate manner, the needs of children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence. All grantees will provide trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate and age-appropriate services, and culturally relevant and linguistically accessible services, to the victims and children relevant to the unique needs of children exposed to family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and potentially with co-occurring impacts of child abuse and neglect. All grantees will provide services for nonabusing parents to support those parents’ roles as caregivers and their roles in responding to the social, emotional, and developmental needs of their children; and where appropriate, grantees will provide services while working with a nonabusing parent and child together. According to 42 U.S.C. §10412, SSAPC grant funds shall be used: (A) to provide direct counseling, appropriate services consistent with 42 U.S.C. § 10412 (c)(2), or advocacy on behalf of victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence and their children, including coordinating services with services provided by the child welfare system; (B) to provide services for nonabusing parents to support those parents' roles as caregivers and their roles in responding to the social, emotional, and developmental needs of their children; and (C) where appropriate, to provide the services described in this subsection while working with such a nonabusing parent and child together. Additionally, funds may be used: (A) to provide early childhood development and mental health services; (B) to coordinate activities with and provide technical assistance to community-based organizations serving abused victims or children exposed to domestic violence; and (C) to provide additional services and referrals to services for children, including child care, transportation, educational support, respite care, supervised visitation, mobile/offsite services, or other necessary services. All grantees will coordinate or provide services that are: (1) Developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate for victims and children; (2) Relevant to the unique needs of children exposed to domestic violence, and potentially with co-occurring child abuse and neglect; (3) Trauma-informed, evidence-informed, and/or evidence-based; (4) Supportive of nonabusing parents in their roles of responding to the social, emotional, and developmental needs of their children; and (5) Able to enhance the bond between a nonabusing parent and child, where appropriate. For purposes of this announcement, evidence-informed practices bring together the best available research, professional expertise, and input from service, advocacy, prevention, and related communities to identify and deliver services that have promise to achieve positive outcomes for abused parents and children exposed to domestic violence.