STATEWIDE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
VICTIM JUSTICE AND ASSISTANCE
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
P. O. BOX 8031
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
Asa Hutchinson, Governor
Larry W Walther, Director
STATE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY
The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) serves as the state administrative agency on behalf of the Governor to receive and administer funds under the STOP Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). DFA Office of Intergovernmental Services is responsible for the establishment and enforcement of procedures consistent with federal rules and regulations governing the administration and disbursement of funds under the aforementioned federal grant programs.
MISSION & GOALS
DFA/IGS’s mission is to ensure that all people affected by crime are treated with fairness, dignity and respect; to help victims exercise their rights and access services and to create and support programs that protect people from crime, by providing programmatic and financial oversight to programs serving crime victims with a focus on outcomes and accountability.
DFA/IGS is also committed to providing information to the public, policy makers and professionals about issues affecting crime victims in Arkansas; as well as providing education, training and technical assistance to professionals assisting victims of crime. To accomplish this mission, DFA/IGS is committed to forging constructive partnerships, in order to maximize federal funds.
COORDINATION & COLLABORATION
In accordance with The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, DFA/IGS utilizes these constructive partnerships to accomplish its goals. These partnerships require a common mission, dedicated membership and consistent commitment. Information in this document will describe the process used in Arkansas to ensure that those providers of service at
the local level are assisted in the employment of innovated evidence-based techniques and strategies that will provide long-term and far reaching improvements in the strengthening of core services, prevention and reduction of violence against women.
A. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration/Office of Intergovernmental Services approved this plan June 2014. The changes made in this plan are in accordance with the 2013 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and outlines the ways that the state will utilize STOP funding to enhance responses to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking in accordance with federal priority areas and the identified needs of the state.
B. The effective period of this plan is October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2017. The State of Arkansas makes its awards to subgrant organizations effective October 1st of each subgrant year. DFA/IGS established the time-frame of March 1st to July 31st to inform and provide technical assistance to those subgrant organizations whose subgrant awards begin October 1, 2014 on the submitted 2014 STOP Implementation Plan.
PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT (PREA)
In regards to the Prison Rape Elimination Act, the Governor of the State of Arkansas has submitted an “Assurance” indicating that the state will use five percent (5%) of covered funds to come into compliance with PREA standards.
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the Arkansas Department of Correction have entered into an agreement which outlines services to inmates who disclose sexual assault or rape. (See additional documents)
This document is organized in a manner consistent with the STOP FORMULA GRANTS PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TOOL.
PLANNING & ADVISORY COMMITTEE
- The planning processes for the Implementation of the Violence Against Women 2013 Reauthorization took the form of Advisory Board meetings (in-person) and conference calls. The Victim Justice Assistance Advisory Committee is statutorily mandated for the following purposes (not all inclusive):
- Establishing a Request For Proposal process and implementation,
- Developing a statewide victim service needs assessment and strategic plan for Victims of Crime Act, Violence Against Women Act, and Family Violence Prevention Services Act funds pursuant to applicable federal guidelines, and
The Victim Justice Assistance Advisory Committee is statutorily comprised of the following:
1) Two (2) representatives selected by the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault;
2) Two (2) representatives selected by the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence;
3) Two (2) representatives selected by the Arkansas Court Appointed Special Advocate;
4) Two (2) representatives selected by the Prosecution Coordination Commission;
5) One (1) representative selected by the Criminal Justice Institute Advisory Board and
6) One (1) representative selected from any other advisory body determined to be necessary by the state administrative agency.
The additional agencies include:
1) Catholic Charities – representing culturally specific victims and immigration issues
2) U of A – Partners for Inclusive Communities – representing victims with disabilities
3) Women’s Council on African American Affairs – victim service providers and underserved victim populations
4) AARP – representing elderly victims.
A series of meetings and conference calls were held to ensure the State of Arkansas adheres to the 2013 Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION). In addition to the Advisory Committee, DFA/IGS solicits input, via phone and e-mail, from representatives of diverse populations, not otherwise represented, for example: Healing Place Ministries, which encompasses the elderly.
In reviewing the current Implementation Plan, it was determined by this office and the Advisory Committee members that the fundamentals of that plan are effective for the State of Arkansas. It has taken several years of meeting, collaborating and organizing to ensure that this mode of operation works best for victims of crime, domestic violence, dating violence and sexual assault. With this realization, we carefully review the 2013 Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act to best incorporate the appropriate changes. We identify the following as major issues:
Ø Transportation
Ø Geographic isolation
Ø Sufficient programming
Ø Federal funds (decreased amounts)
Ø Professionalizing the field
These will be discussed more specifically in the subgrant allocation strategy.
STATE OF ARKANSAS OVERVIEW:
In Arkansas, the priority for funding has been and continues to be the continuation and expansion of community driven programming. Arkansas is committed to addressing the needs of the underserved populations which include: Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT), culturally specific populations (i.e. African American and Hispanics), persons with disabilities, elderly victims and those for whom English is a second language (ESL). To do so efficiently and effectively requires solid information regarding needs, gaps in service and diverse representation of expertise in various disciplines, including victim services, prosecution, law enforcement and the courts.
Implementation planning not only included the entities referenced above, but also ensures that all interested and potentially affected parties are included in the process. DFA/IGS historically and continue to conduct periodic surveys of all victim service providers throughout the state.
Because the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration; Office of Intergovernmental Services administers the Violence Against Women Act, Victim of Crime Act, Sexual Assault Services Program, and the Family Violence Prevention Service Act funds, we are and have been in the unique position of being able to leverage federal funds, have a “Big Picture” of the service needs, gaps in service and more importantly relationships with crime victim service providers statewide.
Effectively administering the above referenced funding sources creates the need for intimate collaboration and coordination with the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault. A large number of our current non-profit subgrant organizations are member agencies for both organizations. Because of our coordinated efforts, member and subgrant organizations have access to the latest changes in the federal regulations, the intent of the change and how best to implement same.
According to data from the 2013 U.S. Census Bureau, the population in Arkansas is 2,959,373. Arkansas is a rural state comprised of seventy five (75) counties. Nineteen (19) with a population density of 56 or less persons per square mile, thirty three (33) with a population density of 27 or fewer persons per square mile. The national average is 79.6 persons per square mile.
In Arkansas, slightly more than fifty percent (50%) of the total population is female. For the female population that is eighteen (18) years of age and older, this number reduces to thirty nine percent (39%) of the total population. Approximately twelve percent (12%) of the population (126,561) is a female householder with no husband present and sixty one percent (61%) of this group has children under the age of eighteen (18). Additionally, forty six percent (46%) of family households have children under the age of eighteen (18).
In terms of race, the State of Arkansas is predominately White, accounting for eighty percent (80%) of the population. Black or African Americans comprise a little over 15.5% of the population and the Hispanic/Latino population is at approximately 1%. The remaining four percent (4%) is comprised of American Indian, Asian, and Native Hawaiian.
As have several other states, Arkansas has experienced a significant growth in the Hispanic/Latino population. In an effort to provide the appropriate culturally specific services to this population, DFA/IGS has awarded STOP funds to Catholic Charities and Women’s Council on African American Affairs. Each of these organizations provides advocacy services to Hispanic/Latino victims in Central Arkansas.
ARKANSAS’ POPULATION BY RACE
As previously discussed, Arkansas is rural, predominately white with a high percent (50.9%) of females. Economically, it is a poor state with more than seventy percent (70%) of households having an annual income of less than $50,000.
ARKANSAS POPULATION BY INCOME
Violent crime offenses in Arkansas made up less than twelve percent (12%) of the crime index in 2013. The largest number of offenses in this category reported was for aggravated assault. Murder, rape and robbery all comprised less than two and a half percent (2 ½%) of the crime index.
STOP GRANT FUNDING TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS
Arkansas continues to apply for and receives fairly consistent funding through the STOP formula grant program. Funding has been between 1.5 million at its highest to a low of 1.3 million. The chart above identifies funding for the period 2000 through 2009, indicating the amount of federal funds received by the State of Arkansas, as well as the amount of funds distributed to various community agencies throughout the state. Since 2009 STOP funding has fluctuated, but has not exceeded the $1,600,000.00 indicated in the chart above.
Federal regulations mandate that each state must allocate 25 percent of the grant funds to law enforcement, 25 percent to prosecution, 5 percent to courts, and 30 percent to victim services. The remaining 15 percent is discretionary within the parameters of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). VAWA 2005 added a new requirement which stipulates that at least 10% of the allocation for victim services must be dedicated to a culturally specific community, which continues to be done with each subgrant award period.
SUBGRANT ALLOCATION STRATEGIES
The state of Arkansas uses STOP funds to support law enforcement agencies, prosecution services, court services, and other criminal justice agencies to implement/continue projects which include special investigation and prosecution units, law enforcement and prosecutorial-based victim services, including court and personal advocacy and civil legal assistance, including assistance with filing for orders of protection.
Arkansas awards STOP funds through a competitive bid process, which includes the set- aside funds for culturally specific services and activities as well as Sexual Assault set-aside funding. Request for Proposals (RFP’s) are issued every two (2) years. In the pre-bid process, special effort is given to contact eligible agencies statewide. These efforts include but are not limited to: Publishing RFP notices in the statewide newspaper; publishing RFP notice in Hispanic newspaper; providing RFP to the Advisory Committee; posting on agency website, and individual mail-outs. During the application process, should an application be submitted that meets the criteria of a Crystal Judson project, it would be considered in the same manner as other applications; however, it would also undergo a special review as would other projects that are considered “a targeted award.”
During the Request For Proposal /Application process STOP applicants must certify (form attached) they have consulted with other service providers in their service delivery area about service gaps, needs and how best to approach the issues in the application.
The process for the selection of subgrants is as follows:
§ Developing the Request for Proposal (RFP) and the application packet.
§ Mailing and e-mailing the RFP to potential applicants and current subgrant organizations.
§ Preparing the RFP for posting on the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration’s website.
§ Responding to technical questions and other inquiries from potential applicants.
§ Conducting two (2) technical assistance workshops for potential applicants.
§ Documenting receipt of application.
§ Three stage application review (Eligibility, Administrative, and Advisory Committee).
§ Funding recommendations made
§ Funding decision made: Applicants notified via email of determinations.
§ Appeal process
§ Processing the awards
The Victim Justice Assistance Advisory Committee along with DFA/IGS Grants Analysts evaluates the applications. Reviewers must not have a financial interest in the funding to be considered, and must not have any other conflict of interest which might negatively and/or positively influence their recommendations. (RFP ATTACHED)
In evaluating each application, the review panel is asked to consider several factors which include but are not limited to the following:
§ Demonstration of need including geographic location to be served, other programs available; local demographics, local statistics, underserved populations to be served, etc.;
§ Adequate correlation between the cost of the project and the objective(s) to be achieved;
§ Probability of project to meet identified goals(s);
§ Demonstration that funds will not be used to supplant other funds;
§ Degree of cooperation between local officials, community groups, and citizens to fulfill goals for the overall success of the project;
§ Demonstration that the applicant agency has met and will continue to comply with all applicable state and federal laws and guidelines; and
§ Overall quality of the application.
With the final approval of the Administrator of the Office of Intergovernmental Services, applicants are notified of funding decisions. Awards are made for one (1) year with the possibility of continuing that award for a second year. Applicants who do not receive funding are given the reasons.