Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO #1745-10233)

LINK TO NOFO Information & Instructions: Court Appointed Special Advocates NOFO AmpliFund

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is requesting proposals for grants for the Court Appointed Special Advocates Program. Grants will be made with FY22 Victims of Crime Act funds. A total of $1,600,000 is available through this solicitation for use over a period of 12 months.

Application deadline: 5:00 p.m., November 20th, 2023

Program Requirements

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to fund direct services for child victims of abuse and neglect through municipal county CASA programs.

The services for child victims provided by a CASA can include responding to their emotional, psychological, or physical needs; assisting victims to stabilize their lives after victimization; helping victims understand and navigate the criminal justice system; and restoring a measure of security and safety for the victim.

Eligibility Information

Agencies must be registered in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/, to become eligible to apply for an award. Applicants must be in good standing with all GATA pre-qualification requirements and received approval of the Internal Control Questionnaire (ICQ) SFY 24, and Programmatic Risk Assessment, before the execution of the grant agreement.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants must be a Public Agency or Nonprofit Organization; operated by a public agency or nonprofit organization, or a combination of such organizations, and provides direct services to crime victims. Nonprofit organizations must submit proof of 501©(3) status as determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

Agencies must be registered through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/, and meet all GATA pre-qualification requirements.

See NOFO for a complete list of eligibility requirements.

Deadline

Application materials must be completed in AmpliFund by 5:00 p.m., November 20, 2023, for funding consideration. Proposals will not be accepted by email, mail, fax, or in person. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Late submissions will not be reviewed.

Available Funds

A minimum of $1,600,000 dollars will be made available through this funding opportunity.

Period of Performance

Funding is available for the period of January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.

Technical Assistance Session

Technical assistance recordings providing additional information regarding this funding opportunity will be available for viewing beginning at 5:00 p.m., October 18, 2023.

VIEW THE REQUIRED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WEBINAR RECORDING

Information provided during this webinar recording will be unofficial and not binding on the state.

Timeline

Reporting

Recipients must submit periodic financial reports, periodic performance reports, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Periodic Measurement Tool (PMT) reports, final financial and performance reports, and, a calendar year end financial report in accordance with the CFR Part 200 Uniform Requirements. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if reports are delinquent.

Required Documents

The following documents must be completed in AmpliFund by the 5:00 P.M., November 20, 2023, deadline for application review.

• Uniform State Grant Application
• Program Narrative
• Budget/Budget Narrative

Download the NOFO packet with instructions on how to apply here: Court Appointed Special Advocates NOFO Instructions

Questions

Questions regarding this NOFO may be submitted to CJA.VOCACASAFFY22@Illinois.gov until 5:00 p.m., November 16, 2023.

All substantive questions and responses will be posted. Updates to NOFO materials, and questions from applicants and their responses are revised weekly. View them here and on AmpliFund here.

Due to the competitive nature of this solicitation, applicants may not discuss this opportunity directly or indirectly with any ICJIA employee other than the respondent of this email address.

Contact Information

Malea Conro
Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
CJA.VOCACASAFFY22@Illinois.gov