The Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) Special Projects grant, issued by the Ohio Department of Health’s Bureau of Health Improvement and Wellness, supports culturally responsive, trauma-informed services for survivors of sexual assault. The funding stems from the U.S. Department of Justice’s SASP initiative, authorized by the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005. The Ohio Department of Health has administered these funds since 2010, emphasizing unserved and underserved communities—specifically Black/African/African American, Asian/Asian American, and Latino/Spanish-speaking populations—based on statewide dialogues led by the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence.
This solicitation aims to increase access to survivor-centered, community-based healing modalities by providing grants to organizations capable of implementing culturally rooted and trauma-informed practices. Funded projects must deliver at least three group sessions for survivors, incorporate survivor feedback, and explore support approaches such as craft therapy, photovoice, or other culturally relevant expressions. Priority is placed on service delivery in high health improvement and high-priority school zones. Each subrecipient is expected to work with local/state partners for outreach and survivor recruitment.
Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities: State, Local, and Tribal Governments; nonprofit and faith-based organizations; higher education institutions; and hospitals. Applicants must demonstrate experience or partnerships with organizations that have provided trauma-informed, culturally responsive sexual assault services. Staff must meet core standards set by the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence or equivalent training.
Applicants are required to submit both Technical and Cost Proposals via email by December 2, 2025, at 3 p.m. EST, with “DOH57815 Proposals” in the subject line. Pre-registration for a bidder conference (scheduled for November 13, 2025) is due by November 6, 2025. The total available funding is estimated at $118,000, with 3–5 awards expected. The initial project period runs from January 2, 2026, to June 30, 2026, with a possible one-year renewal through June 2027.
Evaluation of proposals is based on organizational experience, staff qualifications, clarity of proposed work plans, and the alignment of outreach methods with program goals. Subrecipients must comply with OVW and DOJ terms and conditions, including reporting protocols, confidentiality requirements, and use of funds strictly for direct survivor services (not training, prevention, or SART maintenance). Questions must be directed to Procurement@odh.ohio.gov by November 25, 2025.
Highlight culturally rooted healing methods; include a timeline with Gantt chart; align with underserved population priorities; describe evaluation metrics clearly.
