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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE

16.611: Closed-Circuit Televising of Child Victims of Abuse (CCTV)

Objectives: To provide equipment and personnel training for the closed-circuit televising and videotaping of the testimony of children in criminal proceedings for the violation of laws relating to the abuse of children.

PROGRAM AND AWARD FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS INFORMATION CONTACTS

RELATED PROGRAMS ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

16.611 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility: Limited competition — a State or local unit of government that has in effect a law allowing the closed-circuit televising or video taping of testimony of children in criminal proceedings relating to the abuse of children.

Beneficiary Eligibility: State and local criminal justice agencies; Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and personnel; public non-profit organizations, and youth benefit from this program.

Credentials/Documentation: Eligible States and units of local government.

16.611 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination: This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372 "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her respective State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance. The Standard application forms (SF-424) as furnished by the Federal agency in accordance with 28 CFR, Part 66 (Common Rule), must be used for this program.

Application Procedure: Applicants must follow the instructions contained in BJA's Closed-Circuit Televising of Testimony of Children Who Are Victims of Abuse Grant Program and submit a fully executed application to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, 810 Seventh Street, NW. Fourth Floor, Washington, DC 20531, Attention: Closed-Circuit TV Program Manager. Applicants should submit an original and two copies of the application, along with an electronic copy of the application on disk in WordPerfect or Word for Windows, to BJA for review. BJA must receive the application at least 90 days prior to the anticipated start date of a new or continuation award.

Award Procedure: BJA reviews applications for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with all program requirements.

Deadlines: The deadline dates vary. Contact BJA for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Applications must be approved no later than 60 days after first received unless the Director of BJA informs the applicant of specific reasons for disapproval.

Appeals: None.

Renewals: A project must submit a written request justifying the need for the extension and how the extension would be consistent with the objectives of the grant 60 days prior to the expiration of the current grant.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals: Criteria for selecting proposals are contained in the Program Solicitation.

Examples of Funded Projects: Applicants can use grant funds to: purchase videotape and closed-circuit television equipment to remain in courthouses and/or portable equipment to be used by courthouses in other jurisdictions; provide training in videotape and closed-circuit interviewing to law enforcement, prosecutors, and related staff; prepare booklets outlining the legal requirements and procedures involved in the use and operation of videotape and closed-circuit televising; and provide training to appropriate staff in the setup and operation of the equipment.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance: About 10 to 15 grants ranging from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $100,000 per grant.

16.611 RELATED PROGRAMS:

None.

16.611 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

In fiscal year 1999, the Closed-Circuit Televising of Child Victim Testimony (CCTV) grant funds provided videotape and/or closed-circuit equipment for a central child interview center; developed inter-agency protocols coordinating child maltreatment investigations among social workers, prosecutors and law enforcement; trained 12 officials (4 social workers, 4 prosecutors, and 4 law enforcement staff) in the use of the equipment; supported a workshop on the legal requirements of CCTV utilization, and trained a total of 65 court and prosecutor staff. In addition, CCTV funds also supported an award to the American Bar Association (ABA) to evaluate the fiscal year 1998 CCTV projects to determine their effectiveness and impact on reducing the trauma to child abuse victims during criminal hearings or trials. Currently, the ABA is conducting visits to the 13 1998 CCTV projects. These site visits consisted of interviews of all key personnel, case file data extraction, observation, and group meetings with non-offending parents. Case studies will provide the basis for a future report which will include both quantitative and qualitative data assessing the impact of the use of the CCTV equipment in reducing the trauma experienced by child victims during hearings and criminal proceedings.

16.611 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency: BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Type of Assistance: Project Grants.

Obligations: (Grants) FY 99 $328,357; FY 00 est $1,753,443; and FY 01 est $964,800.

Budget Account Number: 15-8586-0-1-754.

Authorization: Victims of Child Abuse Act, Public Law 90-351, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 3796aa.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature: Financial Guide, Office of the Comptroller, Office of Justice Programs; BJA's Program Guide and Application Kit of the closed-circuit Televising of Testimony of Children Who Are Victims of Abuse Grant Program.

16.611 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office: None.

Headquarters Office: CCTV Program Manager, Program Development Division, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Fourth Floor, 810 Seventh Street, NW., Washington, DC 20531. Phone: (202) 616-3219 or Justice Response Center, 1-800-421-6770.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

16.611 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements: Projects are awarded 100 percent of the project costs and no match is required.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Grantees selected for awards will be funded for a period of 12 months.

Uses and Use Restrictions: Up to 100 percent of total project grant costs may be funded through Federal assistance.

16.611 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports: Reporting requirements for grants and projects awarded under the closed-circuit TV Program are articulated in the OJP Financial Guide, as well as the Closed-Circuit Televising of Testimony of Children Who Are Victims of Abuse Grant Program Solicitation.

Audits: Payments and transactions are subject to audits by the General Accounting Office, the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General, State or local government auditors, and auditors from independent public accounting firms. Jurisdictions must follow their local policies and procedures, including maintenance of reliable and accurate accounting systems, record keeping, and systems of internal control.

Records: Recipients of Federal funds are expected to retain documentation supporting all program transactions for at least 3 years after the closure of audit reports related to such funding. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all related issues, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later.