OVW Fiscal Year 2021 Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program Solicitation

This program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. § 20121. The LAV Grant Program (CFDA 16.524) is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid adult and youth (ages 11 and older) victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by providing funds for comprehensive direct legal services to victims in legal matters relating to or arising out of that abuse or violence. "Legal assistance" includes assistance to adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in: a) family, tribal, territorial, immigration, employment, administrative agency, housing matters, campus administrative, or protection or stay away order proceedings, and other similar matters; and b) criminal justice investigations, prosecutions, and post-trial matters (including sentencing, parole, and probation) that impact the victim's safety and privacy. Intake or referral, by itself, does not constitute legal assistance. 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(19). Comprehensive legal services should address the broad spectrum of legal issues that victims encounter and help promote economic independence for victims. In addition to representation in emergency and non-emergency protection order hearings, this includes representation in family matters (divorce, child custody, or child support), consumer or housing matters, and credit restoration. For additional information about this program and related performance measures, including how awards contribute to the achievement of program goals and objectives, see: OVW grant program information: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/grant-programs. Program performance measures under the Measuring Effectiveness Initiative: https://www.vawamei.org/grant-program/legal-assistance-program/. Examples of successful projects in OVW's most recent report to Congress on the effectiveness of VAWA grant programs: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/page/file/1292636/download.