Bullying and Violence in School Advocacy Program

The Bullying and Violence in School Advocacy Program is administered by the California Governor Office of Emergency Services through its Victim Services Branch. This program is part of the state broader effort to support victims of crime by funding direct service programs that address the needs of vulnerable populations. The initiative is supported through a combination of federal Victims of Crime Act funding and state general funds, reflecting both federal and state commitments to victim assistance services. The program is structured as a competitive funding opportunity and is governed by specific administrative and programmatic requirements outlined in the Program Supplemental and Subrecipient Handbook. The primary purpose of this program is to provide counseling, advocacy, and supportive services to children and teenagers who have experienced bullying or school related violence. The program is strictly focused on post victimization services and explicitly prohibits the use of funds for prevention activities. Applicants must design programs that deliver free counseling services and a range of advocacy supports, including crisis intervention, safety planning, referrals, and assistance for caregivers. The intent is to ensure that youth victims receive comprehensive, trauma informed support that aids in recovery and stability following harmful incidents. Funding under this program is tied to specific operational and compliance requirements. Organizations must establish formal partnerships through operational agreements or subawards with other agencies to expand service delivery. Additionally, subrecipients are strongly encouraged to assist victims in accessing compensation through the California Victim Compensation Board and must ensure staff complete annual training related to victim compensation processes. Program personnel are also required to participate in Cal OES training sessions, reinforcing accountability and consistency in service delivery across funded organizations. Eligibility to apply is limited to nonprofit organizations and governmental entities that meet a series of compliance requirements. These include maintaining active registration with federal and state systems such as SAM, the IRS, and the California Department of Justice, and demonstrating organizational good standing. Applicants must also provide formal authorization from their governing body to enter into grant agreements. Failure to meet these requirements results in automatic disqualification. Only one proposal per applicant is permitted, and proposals must meet a minimum scoring threshold to be considered for funding. The application process requires submission through the Grants Central System, and applicants must complete registration in advance. Proposals are evaluated based on responses to structured rating questions, with scoring criteria ranging from absent to excellent. A minimum score of fifty percent is required for funding consideration. Final funding decisions are made by the Cal OES Director and may take into account geographic distribution, program priorities, and past performance of applicants. Selected applicants may be eligible for non competitive continuation funding for up to four additional years, subject to funding availability. Program implementation includes strict reporting requirements, including quarterly progress reports and federal reporting through the Office for Victims of Crime performance management system. Reporting timelines are predefined and tied to specific performance periods throughout the year. Funding is contingent upon state budget approval, and organizations may not incur reimbursable costs until the grant is fully executed. Overall, the program emphasizes accountability, structured service delivery, and measurable outcomes in supporting youth victims of bullying and school violence.