OVW Fiscal Year 2024 Training and Technical Assistance Initiative | O OVW 2024 171918

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): OVW Fiscal Year 2024 Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Initiative

1) What is the OVW Fiscal Year 2024 Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Initiative?

The OVW Fiscal Year 2024 Training and Technical Assistance Initiative is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). It funds organizations to provide practical training and ongoing technical assistance to OVW grantees and subgrantees to help them implement OVW-funded projects effectively and in line with grant requirements and best practices.

2) Which federal office is offering this funding opportunity?

The awarding agency is the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).

3) What type of funding instrument is used for awards under this initiative?

Awards are offered through cooperative agreements. This typically means OVW expects an active, ongoing partnership with awardees in shaping deliverables, coordinating national efforts, and ensuring training and technical assistance work aligns with OVW priorities and the needs of OVW-funded programs.

4) What is the legal authority for this initiative?

The initiative is authorized under 34 U.S.C. 12291(b)(11).

5) What is the CFDA listing for this opportunity?

This opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.526.

6) What is the main purpose or goal of the initiative?

The core goal is to provide direct, practical training and technical assistance to current and prospective OVW grantees and subgrantees so they can carry out OVW-funded projects effectively, comply with grant requirements, and apply best practices. The initiative is designed to strengthen capacity nationwide among professionals and organizations responding to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

7) What does OVW mean by "training and technical assistance" in this initiative?

Based on the description provided, OVW is emphasizing not only one-time trainings but sustained technical support that helps organizations solve problems and improve day-to-day implementation as challenges arise. The intent is practical skill-building, guidance, and ongoing support that improves how funded projects operate.

8) Who is this initiative intended to support (the target audience for TTA)?

The intended audience is current and prospective OVW grantees and subgrantees (also described as OVW recipients and subrecipients) across U.S. states and territories.

9) What subject areas or fields does the initiative focus on?

The initiative focuses on strengthening responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and improving the capacity of professionals and organizations working in these areas.

10) What is a major emphasis of the initiative beyond basic training delivery?

A major emphasis is cross-system improvement and collaboration. OVW highlights building capacity across civil and criminal justice professionals and victim service providers, and promoting partnerships among organizations that have not traditionally worked together.

11) What does "cross-system collaboration" mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this opportunity, cross-system collaboration refers to bridging gaps between victim advocacy organizations and justice system agencies, improving coordinated community responses, and spreading approaches that increase victim safety and offender accountability while strengthening trauma-informed, culturally responsive services.

12) Which types of organizations are primarily expected to apply?

Eligibility is primarily aimed at national, tribal, statewide, or other nonprofit organizations that can demonstrate the ability to deliver training and technical assistance at a national level to OVW recipients and subrecipients across U.S. states and territories.

13) Are government agencies or universities eligible to apply?

The opportunity lists many eligible applicant types in government-wide eligibility categories, including state, county, and local governments; tribal governments and tribal organizations; public housing authorities; and institutions of higher education. However, the narrative indicates OVW generally expects applicants to be positioned to deliver national-scale training and technical assistance. OVW notes it may, in rare cases, fund universities, government agencies (such as law enforcement agencies, prosecutor offices, or probation departments), or local nonprofits if they provide a detailed record of successfully delivering national-level TTA and clearly justify why they are appropriate for this national role.

14) If an applicant is not a national nonprofit, what would they need to show to be competitive based on the description?

The description indicates that nontraditional applicants for this role (for example, universities, government agencies, or local nonprofits) would need to provide a detailed record of successfully delivering training and technical assistance to a national audience and a clear justification for why they are appropriate to serve in a national TTA role.

15) Does OVW expect TTA providers to work nationally?

Yes. The narrative makes clear that OVW generally expects applicants to deliver training and technical assistance at a national level, serving OVW recipients and subrecipients across U.S. states and territories.

16) What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

The funding activity category is Law, Justice and Legal Services.

17) What is the application closing date?

The application closing date is March 7, 2024.

18) What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The award ceiling is $2,100,000.

19) How many awards does OVW estimate making under this opportunity?

OVW estimates 62 awards.

20) What kinds of outcomes does OVW appear to be looking for from funded TTA providers?

OVW signals that funded TTA providers are expected to align their work with OVW program goals and support measurable improvements in the effectiveness and implementation quality of OVW-funded projects. The opportunity points applicants to OVW program descriptions, the Measuring Effectiveness Initiative performance measures, and OVW reports to Congress on VAWA program effectiveness.

21) Are performance measurement and evaluation part of the expectation for this initiative?

Based on the references included (such as the Measuring Effectiveness Initiative performance measures and OVW effectiveness reporting), the initiative emphasizes alignment with OVW program goals and measurable improvements in project implementation and effectiveness.

22) What kinds of professionals does OVW want to build capacity for through this initiative?

OVW specifically highlights building the capacity of civil and criminal justice system professionals as well as victim service providers.

23) Does the initiative encourage trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches?

Yes. The description mentions strengthening trauma-informed, culturally responsive services as part of the collaboration and coordinated response goals.

24) Does the initiative focus only on existing OVW grantees?

No. The initiative is described as supporting current and prospective OVW grantees and subgrantees.

25) What is the general role of OVW in a cooperative agreement for this initiative?

Because awards are cooperative agreements, OVW expects an active, ongoing partnership with awardees. This includes shaping deliverables, coordinating national efforts, and ensuring the TTA work remains closely aligned with OVW priorities and the needs of OVW-funded programs.