OVC FY 2022 Building Capacity of National Crisis Hotlines

Background
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) seeks applications for funding to enhance or expand the capacity of national hotlines that are essential for providing crisis intervention services, safety planning, information, referrals, and resources for victims of crime in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This program furthers the DOJ’s mission by supporting organizations to improve responses, services, and access for victims of crime.

Grant Details
Funding to support national hotlines was previously available under OVC’s Advancing the Use of Technology to Assist Victims of Crime solicitation. In fiscal year 2022, OVC created the Building Capacity of National Crisis Hotlines program specifically to support the enhancement or expansion of national hotlines that serve all crime victims and survivors with strengths-based and trauma-informed services.

Hotlines are an important safety net for survivors who may not be able to access services in their immediate area. The National Runaway Safeline’s 2020 Crisis Services and Prevention Report noted several shifts in the nature of crisis contacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as an overall increase in intensity and length of time of crisis connections, and an increase in suicide and other mental health-related contacts.

Funding hotlines will build the capacity and infrastructure of call centers to offer more continuous and stable hotline support without interruption, sustain uninterrupted access to services and resources, and allow service providers to transition to tele-services when possible.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include city or township governments, county governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, state governments.

Period of Performance
The period of performance start date is 10/1/22 12:00 AM with a duration of 36 months.

Grant Value
$6,000,000.00 is the anticipated total amount to be awarded under this solicitation. Anticipated maximum dollar amount of awards is $2,000,000.00.

Place of Performance
The grant will be performed in all 50 states including Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.