The Office of Victim Services (OVS) awarded grant contracts to victim assistance programs (VAPs) for the period October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2012. Included in the grant contracts is an option for up to two one-year renewals. OVS plans to offer extensions of current contracts with VAPs for the period October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014 and will not be issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) at this time. The earliest an RFP may be issued is the spring of 2014. If you have any questions about this or any other issues, please contact the Grants Unit at (518) 485-2763.
GRANTS UNIT SERVICES
The Victim and Witness Assistance Unit (Grants Unit) is responsible for the administration of the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim and Witness Assistance funds to not-for-profit and municipal agencies across the State serving crime victims. Currently the Grants Unit administers and processes nearly 200 contracts to a variety of Victim Assistance Programs (VAPs) across New York State in the amount of $25 million annually. The duties associated with this task include ensuring compliance with VOCA Program Guidelines; timely submission of all financial, sub-grant award and other required reports; and resolution of any federal audit findings.
Our staff assists the funded agencies with processing their contracts, completing fiscal cost reports and submitting performance reports detailing services provided and number of individuals served. In addition, annual site visits are conducted to ensure the contractual obligations are met and that programs are fulfilling federal and state guidelines requirements. Technical assistance is provided on a regular basis to all funded programs on a multitude of issues. Additionally, this Unit coordinates with other criminal justice agencies in the State on victim and witness service initiatives and priorities. The Unit staff is a liaison for the agency with various crime victim coalitions, federal authorities, the public and other interested parties. It also coordinates the activities of OVS's Advisory Council and organizes the agency's biannual Statewide Victim Conference.
The New York State Office of Victim Services distributes and makes available RFP Guidelines and Application Procedures for awards under VOCA Crime Victim Assistance Grant Program.
VOCA funds for both new and continuation programs will be awarded for three consecutive 12-month grant periods. Each grant period will commence October 1st and will terminate on September 30th of the following year. All funded programs will be required to submit an updated annual budget and program goals and objectives before the start of each grant period.
Funding for the duration of any sub-grant agreement with the Office of Victim Services is contingent upon New York State’s Federal VOCA Victim Assistance award and appropriation by the New York State Legislature.
