Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Program

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Program is administered in Ohio by the Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. OCJS is the state’s designated agency responsible for managing federal and state criminal justice funding, and it operates under authority granted by the Governor. The VAWA program represents a federally funded initiative originating from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, and is intended to support coordinated, community-based responses to violent crimes against women, including domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The program emphasizes collaboration among law enforcement, courts, prosecution, and victim service providers. The primary purpose of the VAWA grant program is to enhance the capacity of local jurisdictions to respond effectively to violent crimes against women. This includes funding for training law enforcement personnel, strengthening prosecution strategies, improving court responses, and expanding victim services. Eligible activities include developing specialized units, improving policies and protocols, expanding data systems, and increasing access to legal assistance and culturally specific services. The program also supports multidisciplinary collaboration and coordinated community responses, ensuring that victims receive comprehensive and trauma-informed support services. Funding under this program is provided as a reimbursement grant, meaning recipients must incur expenses and then request reimbursement through quarterly reporting. Awards are issued for a 12-month project period running from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027. Applicants may request up to 60000 dollars in funding, and most subrecipients are required to provide a 25 percent cash or in-kind match, although nonprofit victim service providers are exempt from this requirement. Funds must be used for allowable costs and may not support activities that compromise victim safety, such as mandatory mediation between victims and offenders or policies that limit access to services. Eligible applicants include units of local government, nonprofit victim service organizations, and law enforcement agencies. All applicants must designate a fiduciary agent responsible for grant administration. Additional eligibility requirements include the establishment of a collaboration board composed of representatives from key stakeholder groups and, in most cases, submission of a victim service consultation certification. Certain applicants, such as prosecutors or legal service providers, must also submit specific certifications demonstrating compliance with federal statutory requirements related to victim-centered practices and legal assistance standards. The application process is competitive and involves a three-tiered review structure, including internal compliance review, peer and subject matter expert review, and final approval by OCJS leadership. Applications must be submitted through the OCJS online grants management system and include a comprehensive proposal narrative addressing problem statements, project descriptions, objectives, timelines, collaboration structures, and detailed budgets. Required attachments include collaboration board letters, financial audits, and various certifications depending on the project scope. A voluntary bidders training webinar is offered to assist applicants in preparing competitive submissions. The application window opens on June 1, 2026 and closes on July 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants recommended for funding must complete pre-award conditions, including submission of compliance forms, registration in federal systems, and participation in mandatory orientation. Award recipients are required to submit annual performance reports and comply with federal civil rights and confidentiality requirements throughout the grant period. While the program is expected to recur annually, applicants should be aware that future funding conditions may change based on updated federal guidance.

Ensure strong collaboration board participation align proposal with state implementation plan use data driven problem statements and clearly define measurable objectives