OJJDP FY 19 Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCA) Training and Technical Assistance for Child Abuse Prosecutors | OJJDP 2019 14929

Opportunity Information: Apply for OJJDP 2019 14929

The OJJDP FY 2019 Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCA) Training and Technical Assistance for Child Abuse Prosecutors opportunity is a U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) discretionary funding program designed to support a single national training and technical assistance (TTA) initiative focused on improving how child abuse cases are investigated and prosecuted. The core purpose is to strengthen the capacity of prosecutors and other legal professionals involved in criminal child abuse matters by promoting practices that lead to more effective, coordinated case-building and stronger courtroom outcomes, while also reflecting the realities and complexities unique to child victims and child-centered evidence.

Under this program, the selected recipient is expected to deliver a comprehensive package of training and hands-on technical assistance aimed at attorneys who prosecute child abuse in both juvenile and adult court settings, along with other professionals who play a direct role in these prosecutions. The content is meant to be practical and immediately applicable, emphasizing improved child interview techniques, more thorough investigative methods, and better interagency coordination among the key systems involved in these cases (such as law enforcement, child protective services, medical providers, forensic interviewers, and victim advocates). Another major focus is strengthening courtroom practice, including the effective presentation of evidence and the strategic use of alternative courtroom procedures when appropriate to reduce trauma to child victims and improve the reliability and clarity of testimony and other evidence.

The training scope is intentionally broad so it can address the full range of challenges that arise in child abuse and neglect prosecutions, from initial response and evidence gathering through trial preparation and litigation. Beyond foundational topics, the program specifically calls for attention to emerging and technically complex issues that prosecutors increasingly confront. Examples highlighted in the opportunity include serial child torture, abusive head trauma, prosecutions involving abusive burn injuries, drowned child cases, and the trial-level challenges associated with defending the forensic interview (including how interview methods and recordings may be scrutinized in court). This emphasis signals an expectation that the national TTA provider will keep pace with evolving case law, forensic and medical developments, and sophisticated defense strategies, and will translate that knowledge into training that helps prosecutors litigate these cases more effectively.

Administratively, this opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number OJJDP 2019 14929) was offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning OJJDP would typically expect substantial involvement and collaboration during project implementation rather than a purely hands-off grant relationship. The program falls under the Law, Justice and Legal Services category and is associated with CFDA number 16.758. The award ceiling listed is $1,500,000, with one expected award, indicating OJJDP intended to fund a single organization to operate as the national provider for this specialized training and technical assistance effort. The solicitation was created on February 20, 2019, with an original closing date of April 22, 2019. Eligibility is described broadly as “Others,” with additional clarification intended to be found in the solicitation’s eligibility section. Overall, the grant is aimed at building a consistent, high-quality national support structure that equips child abuse prosecutors with advanced, up-to-date skills to improve investigations, strengthen prosecutions, and handle difficult and emerging forms of child victimization in court.

• The Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "OJJDP FY 19 Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCA) Training and Technical Assistance for Child Abuse Prosecutors" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.758.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 20, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 22, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for OJJDP 2019 14929

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