The V.I. Law Enforcement Planning Commission has announced a suite of funding opportunities designed to address major community challenges, including substance abuse treatment in prisons, violence against women, and support for crime victims.
These grants are supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, LEPC disclosed, in a series of Government House announcements.
"LEPC is committed to supporting criminal justice initiatives and projects through collaboration, advice, and resources that promote safer communities in the Virgin Islands," one of the announcements stated.
The agency is now accepting proposals for the Federal Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program. This FY 2019 program assists in developing and implementing residential substance use disorder treatment programs within state correctional facilities, ensuring that incarcerated persons have adequate access to necessary treatments. Three types of programs are eligible for funding: residential, jail-based, or aftercare. Partnerships with community-based substance use treatment programs will be given priority consideration during the application process.
Simultaneously, the LEPC is offering the Violence Against Women STOP Formula Grants for fiscal years 2021 and 2022. This initiative funds private non-profit organizations and Virgin Islands government agencies to provide direct services in response to violent crimes against women, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The programs seeking funding should “implement comprehensive strategies to address violence against women which are sensitive to the needs and safety of the victims and hold offenders accountable for their crimes,” LEPC advised.
Additionally, the LEPC announced the availability of Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Assistance Formula Grants for fiscal years 2021 and 2022. These grants are designed to assist non-profit victim services entities and government agencies in providing services that help victims recover from the crimes committed against them. Services funded include crisis counseling, therapy, group treatment/support, and emergency legal advocacy, among others. The money comes from the Crime Victims Fund, established in 1984, which aggregates federal criminal fines, penalties and forfeitures for disbursement to victim services programs.
Applications for all three grant opportunities close on June 3, and must contain several key documents in order to be accepted. Queries may be directed to Mr. Smith at [email protected] or (340) 774-6400.
