Sexual Assault Services Program

The Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) SA27 is a competitive grant opportunity administered by the Ohio Department of Health through its Bureau of Health Improvement and Wellness. The program is funded through federal allocations authorized under the Violence Against Women Act and is designed to support direct services for survivors of sexual assault. This funding stream is notable for being exclusively dedicated to sexual assault intervention services, emphasizing crisis response, advocacy, and survivor-centered care. The program reflects a collaborative federal-state structure in which Ohio distributes funds to eligible local entities that meet strict programmatic and administrative requirements. The primary purpose of the SASP grant is to provide comprehensive support services to victims of sexual assault, including crisis intervention, medical and legal accompaniment, advocacy, and therapeutic support. The program also extends services to family and household members of survivors. A key emphasis is placed on culturally responsive service delivery, ensuring that funded programs are tailored to underserved populations such as racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ individuals, and people with disabilities. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how their proposed activities will address disparities and improve access to services for these priority populations. Funding supports a wide range of allowable activities including 24-hour crisis hotlines, case management, culturally specific outreach, and coordination with community partners. However, strict restrictions apply. Funds cannot be used for prevention education, lobbying, construction, entertainment, or criminal justice system activities unrelated to direct victim services. Administrative costs are limited, and all expenditures must comply with federal cost principles and state grant administration policies. Notably, no matching funds are required for this opportunity, lowering the barrier to entry for eligible organizations. Eligibility is limited to local public agencies and nonprofit organizations, particularly those that are culturally specific community organizations or that partner with such entities. Applicants must demonstrate experience in sexual assault services or formal partnerships with organizations that do. Additional requirements include evidence of community collaboration, culturally competent staffing, and the ability to manage federal funds through electronic systems. Organizations must also be in good financial standing with the Ohio Department of Health and meet all submission requirements to be considered. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants Management Information System. The application process requires multiple components including a project narrative, budget, workplan, civil rights documentation, and supporting attachments such as letters of commitment and community impact statements. Evaluation criteria include alignment with program goals, quality of methodology, organizational capacity, and ability to address health disparities. Proposals are scored competitively, and final funding decisions are made by the Ohio Department of Health. The application deadline for this funding cycle is July 20, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. The funding period begins January 1, 2027 and runs through December 31, 2027, with an extended program period through December 31, 2028. Awards are contingent upon federal funding availability, and recipients must be prepared to operate programs prior to reimbursement. Reporting requirements are extensive and include monthly or quarterly submissions, as well as participation in required meetings and trainings. This opportunity appears to be part of an annual funding cycle, as indicated by the fiscal year designation and structured reporting schedule. While future deadlines are not explicitly stated, applicants can reasonably anticipate similar timelines in subsequent years. For questions, applicants may contact the program representative via the provided email address. Overall, the SASP SA27 grant represents a structured, compliance-driven funding opportunity focused on delivering critical services to sexual assault survivors through culturally responsive and community-based approaches.

Ensure strong community partnerships; clearly demonstrate culturally specific service capacity; align workplan with measurable outcomes; provide detailed and realistic budget justification