Request for Proposals: Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Transitional Housing in Illinois - fundsforNGOs

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is requesting proposals for grants Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Transitional Housing.

Donor Name: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

State: Illinois

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 01/18/2023

Size of the Grant: $400,000

Grant Duration: 12 months

Details:

ICJIA works to identify statewide needs through research, examination of state data sources, and collection of feedback from experts in the field. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to address a significant service gap in Illinois: transitional housing services for victims of violent crime, including intimate partner and other forms of domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and community violence.

ICJIA’s Victim Service Planning Ad Hoc Committee of justice system and victim service professionals convene every four years to review crime and victimization research and data to identify needs and define funding priorities. In March 2022, the committee approved 12 research-informed priority funding areas, which will guide statewide administration of victim services funding for the next four years. While this funding opportunity responds to several priorities established by the committee in some respects, it most directly addresses the priority of increasing services that address victims’ fundamental physiological and safety needs.

Program Design

This funding opportunity will support transitional housing services for persons whose housing needs arise from or are a cause of their victimization. Eligible clients include adults (and, when appropriate, their dependent children) and victims of crimes, including, but not limited to, domestic violence (including intimate partner violence), human trafficking, anti-LGBTQ+ violence, and forced labor.

Program Requirements

Housing must be for victims seeking permanent housing. Grant funds may not be used to provide emergency shelter. Funding can be for justice-system impacted victims who can demonstrate that victimization was a cause/consequence of unstable/lack of housing. Client participation in supportive services must not be required, but funded programs must ensure services are offered, available, and accessible.
Completed applications should be reflective of the following program activities:
- Staffing to support all clients. Every client must be assigned to a case manager who coordinates assessments and services.
- Housing units and services offered for a minimum of 24 months. Exceptions may be made when non-VOCA funding sources conflict with this requirement.
- Letters of commitment from every collaborative partner organization whose services meet your transitional housing client’s needs as described in the Program Narrative.
- Attendance at ICJIA-coordinated annual meetings.
- Compliance with all prescribed assessment tools and reporting requirements.
- The following support services offered to clients participating in your proposed program. These services may be offered by your program or a collaborating partner organization.
  - Employment assistance: Helping a client implement an employment plan. This may include linking client to a job training program, helping client complete a job application or resume, or completing an employment action plan that supports the client’s goals.
  - Education assistance: Helping a client implement education plans. This may include helping a client complete a GED application, helping enroll a client or his/her child(ren) into school, linking to local community college’s child care program so parent can attend classes, or developing an education plan that supports the client’s goals.
  - Housing advocacy: Helping a client implement a plan for obtaining housing. This may include accompanying a client to the housing authority office to apply for Section 8 housing or helping a client identify available rental units, complete a tenant application, or develop a housing plan that supports the client’s goals.
  - Life skills: Teaching client’s fundamental skills to improve daily living or enhance independence.
  - Economic assistance: Helping a client implement plans to improve financial status. This may include helping a client create a budget or learn how to repair credit, advocating to receive public benefits, linking to a tax assistance center, or helping to develop an economic action plan that supports the client’s goals.
  - In-person counseling: In-person, client-centered counseling that addresses the violence and related issues in client’s life and fosters self-determination.
  - Children’s services (if program serves parents with children): Services must be available for a client’s child(ren) that address violence and related issues and foster healthy growth and development. Such services may include individual, group, or family counseling, education assistance (as described above), or therapeutic activities, such as art therapy.
  - Child care: Programs may provide onsite or offsite child care services. Offsite child care services must be provided by day care centers licensed through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Funding Information

A total of $2,830,000 in funding in VOCA is available through this solicitation for use over a period of 12 months. A minimum of $100,000 and a maximum of $400,000 will be awarded to successful applicants.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applications must: