Description: One of the core missions of DHS/FEMA is to enhance the ability of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks and other disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s comprehensive suite of grant programs is an important part of the Administration’s larger, coordinated effort to strengthen homeland security preparedness. The THSGP is one tool among a comprehensive set of initiatives authorized by Congress and implemented by the Administration to help strengthen the Nation against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks. Funding under the FY 2020 THSGP is provided to strengthen tribes’ capacity to prepare for and respond to emergency situations.

Read more or apply here.

This course provides an overview of financial management, accounting and audit requirements that pertain to the use of Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) funding for administration of tribal housing programs. Participants will learn about financial responsibilities applicable to tribal housing, how to develop operational and project budgets, Accounting principles and systems, Program Income requirements, 2 CFR 200 Audit requirements, and other financial management methods for sound program administration in accordance with the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA). Students will also participate in skill building exercises and case studies. Course objective is to provide tools to improve compliance, reporting accuracy, and performance in the financial management of IHBG funding awards. Click here to register.

Do you know federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers who went above and beyond the call of duty in 2019?

The deadline for all Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery nominations are due Sunday, February 15, 2020.

• Multiple officers can be nominated, and an officer can be nominated for multiple incidents.

• Separate nominations must be submitted for each officer and incident.

• All nominations must be submitted through the online Congressional Badge of Bravery Nomination System.

Thank you for support and recognizing our nation’s law enforcement for their acts of bravery that keep our citizens and communities safe.

Recording now available for OVC TTAC’s Expert Q&A on Increasing Community Awareness of Labor Trafficking!
“Presenters discuss trauma-informed approaches to increasing community awareness of labor trafficking, as well as explore how to help community partners provide potential victims with appropriate resources for support. As a result of the session, participants will: identify approaches that victim service providers can take to expand their knowledge and/or community knowledge of labor trafficking, discuss innovative approaches for outreach and awareness on labor trafficking, and identify resources and approaches for referring potential victims of labor trafficking safely for additional support.”
Find the recording here.

This solicitation provides federally recognized tribes and tribal consortia an opportunity to apply for funding to aid in developing a comprehensive and coordinated approach to public safety and victimization. The majority of DOJ’s existing Tribal Government–specific programs are included in and available through this single Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation.Closing on February 25, 2020 at 9:00 p.m. E.T. Apply Here.

Family Justice Centers provide a “one-stop shop” for victims of family violence (intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse). These co-located, multidisciplinary service centers reduce the number of places a victim must go to receive services following the crime. Services include, but are not limited to, assistance with protective orders, legal services, medical, counseling, safety planning, and more. This session will allow the audience to inquire about innovative practices within the Family Justice Center model.Happening February 19, 2020; 2:00–3:15 p.m. e.t. Register here.

Sign Up to Receive the 2020 NCVRW Theme and Awareness Poster Kit

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) will be held April 19–25. This year’s theme is Seek Justice | Ensure Victims’ Rights | Inspire Hope.

To receive a complimentary printed copy of this year’s Theme and Awareness Poster Kit, sign up for the NCVRW subscription list by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on February 21, 2020.

Sign up here.

Threat Assessments and Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) Training for K-12 Schools

Take a caring and proactive approach to students who are expressing alarming and concerning behaviors. Learn the importance of developing a sound foundation for Behavioral Intervention Teams (BITs) including creating a multidisciplinary team made up of your organization’s key players. Apply best practices as they relate to addressing threats, identifying pre-attack indicators, and stopping the pathway to violence.

“This solicitation provides funding to address the needs of child victims and their families in tribal communities through a multidisciplinary team response to child abuse cases. Many tribal communities are without access or have limited access to CACs to respond to cases of serious physical and sexual child abuse. This initiative will expand coverage and enhancement of proven, critical services offered by CACs throughout Indian country.” Read more or apply here.

“The goal of this program is to facilitate program support to benefit the ICAC task force program. The primary objective will be the delivery of specific products to serve law enforcement and other key stakeholders affiliated with the ICAC task force program. The deliverables are directed toward the continuation, expansion, and enhancement of the ICAC task force program which includes: (1) develop and implement a strategic plan for support service delivery; (2) plan to support an ICAC task force national training event and commanders’ meetings, and assist in the implementation of the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction (National Strategy); (3) develop and maintain a system for monitoring consumer feedback; (4) maintain, expand, and regularly update the training and technical assistance website; (5) plan for general project management and monthly reporting; and (6) conduct special projects or develop products to support ICAC task forces as directed by OJJDP.” Read more or apply here.

“Updated resources and outreach tools are now available to help you align your local Child Abuse Prevention Month activities with the Children’s Bureau’s national campaign!Visit the 2020 National Child Abuse Prevention website and use the free videos, sample social media posts, and new shareable graphics to help raise child abuse prevention awareness. Join the conversation and share what’s working in your community on Twitter and Facebook by using the #ChildAbusePreventionMonth hashtag.

If you missed the webinar or would like to review or share with your team, here is access to the playback and handouts from the session through the links below. The recording is also available on OVCTFMC.org.
Download Handouts:

• OVC TFMC Overview of an Effective Financial Management System Presentation (PDF)
• OVC TFMC Introduction to the TFMC for OVC Tribal Grantees (PDF)
• Cash Flow Projections (JPG)
• W-2 Financial Statements (PDF)
• W-2 Financial Statements (Excel)
If you have any questions, please contact TFMC at 703-462-6900 or TFMC@OVCTFMC.org.

OVC announced the release of the new Understanding Human Trafficking training at the Human Trafficking Grantee Meeting in Albuquerque, NM.OVC invites victim service providers, allied professionals, and interested members of the general public to register for this new training, a series of five interactive online modules that offer foundational learning on trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches to human trafficking. Understanding Human Trafficking equips participants to think critically about human trafficking using reliable resources, both locally and from across the United States. Participants will review topics including:

• Implementing trauma-informed approaches to victim identification and outreach.

• Assessing victims for comprehensive service needs.

• Employing a collaborative victim service delivery model by connecting with local partners.

• Identifying accurate data and research on human trafficking.

• New strategies for researching and analyzing laws and policies that impact human trafficking, victim services, and victims’ rights.

Register here.

The Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS), includes nine purpose areas of funding available exclusively for tribes from the U.S. Department of Justice. This webinar will identify what purpose areas can be used to fund a Tribal Healing to Wellness Court; identify significant changes from last year’s solicitation; and overview CTAS proposal writing tips.
This webinar will be lead by Lauren van Schilfgaarde, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Legal Development Clinic Director, UCLA School of Law.

This webinar takes place on Thu, Feb 6, 2020 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST.

Take a listen to OVC TTAC’s recorded webinar on Human Trafficking Screening Processes and Best Practices. This webinar explores promising practices for human trafficking screening processes across various service provider settings, identifies policies and procedures needed to adapt effective screening tools and processes, and discusses resources that may benefit your organization’s approach to screening potential victims of human trafficking. Listen here.

The National Resource Center for Reaching Victims and Vera Institute of Justice collaborated to publish the article, “Opening the Door to Healing: Reaching and Serving Crime Victims Who Have a History of Incarceration.”

“Opening the Door to Healing: Reaching and Serving Crime Victims Who Have a History of Incarceration explores the realities of survivors who live with a history of both victimization and incarceration. The report, based on a needs assessment that encompassed informational interviews, listening sessions, and a review of academic and practice literature, reflects what the National Resource Center for Reaching Victims has come to understand about this community of survivors: the shame and stigma of being “offenders” eclipses the less visible but painful reality that they are also survivors of violence—harm that may have happened to them before, during, and/or after their time behind bars.”

Read the full article here.

End Violence Against Women International Poster Submissions Due for 2020 International Conference on February 7, 2020.
There’s still time to submit a poster proposal for our 2020 International Conference. Are you a student, first-time presenter or a researcher? We encourage you to submit a poster!
All material must be submitted as a complete package to Susan@evawintl.org by Friday, February 7, 2020. Have questions? Call us at 509.684.9800 or email Susan.

“The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) is seeking applications for funding for the fiscal year (FY) 2020 Alaska Native Youth Training and Technical Assistance Program. This program furthers the Department’s mission by providing comprehensive and culturally relevant training and technical assistance to support Alaska Native villages and communities in their efforts to create, expand, and/or sustain programs, services, and supports for youth.” Find out more.

This solicitation seeks to support the capacity of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces to conduct effective and efficient forensic examination of evidence in cases of technology-facilitated child exploitation. This initiative will assist ICAC task forces by providing funding to help hire and equip wounded, ill, or injured veterans as digital forensic analysts or investigators. These positions will help address forensic examination backlogs, reduce evidence processing times, and increase prosecutions of those who commit Internet crimes against children.

Take a look at the National Criminal Justice Reference Service’s Special Feature on Human Trafficking. “There is no single profile of a trafficking victim, but regardless of their background, a common denominator among all victims is some form of vulnerability. In the United States specifically, some of the most highly vulnerable populations include undocumented workers, runaway and homeless youth, individuals with substance abuse or addiction issues, and low-income individuals.” Read more here.

OVC invites tribal leaders, representatives, and stakeholders to participate in a government to government consultation to discuss tribal set-aside funding from the Crime Victims Fund and how it should be programmed. The Tribal Consultation on Tribal Set-Aside Funding from the Crime Victims Fund will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 2020 Executive Council Winter Session. Interested parties unable to attend in-person will have an opportunity to join one of two phone consultations on Thursday, February 13, 2020.Consultation Highlights:

Onsite:

Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Pre-registration Check-in and Onsite Registration 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Tribal Consultation

Location: Capital Hilton, 1001 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, Congressional Room

Register here. (You do not have to register for the NCAI 2020 Executive Council Winter Session to register for the consultation.)

By Phone:

Date: Thursday, February 13, 2020

Time: Consultation 1 – 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. eastern time Consultation 2 – 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. eastern time

Register: Consultation 1 or Consultation 2

Those without Internet access or the ability to pre-register may call into the phone meetings at 844–845–4169 or 412–717–9620 and ask to join the United States Department of Justice Office of Tribal Justice call.

View an informational Framing Paper that provides relevant background and questions for you to consider in advance of the consultations.

The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs is sponsoring 10 outreach sessions in January and February to educate rural and tribal organizations and agencies about how to apply for OJP funding to address public safety and victims service needs in tribal and rural communities. OJP is sending representatives from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime to several states to provide assistance and answer any questions rural and tribal organizations and agencies may have. The key goals are to: Provide overview of BJA, COPS, OJJDP, OVC, and OVW grants and application process; Highlight application requirements of grants; Identify tools and resources for applicants that will help with the application process; Offer applicants the opportunity to ask questions; Participants may attend in person. Some sessions are available remotely via Web/Skype. Click here for full details.

A national webinar hosted by the U.S. Department of EducationThursday, January 30, 20203:00 – 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time

The year 2020 marks the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. In recognition of this significant milestone, the U.S. Department of Education is conducting this webinar, the first in a series to be conducted in 2020, to address the growing response of America’s schools to child trafficking. The event will include discussion of strategies being used to support students impacted by trafficking.
The event is designed to provide building-level administrators, teachers, and specialized instructional support personnel with information on how they can effectively identify, and support students impacted by trafficking activity.
The webinar will feature a variety of perspectives, including:• A representative of a lead federal agency will provide the national context of human trafficking;• A representative from the U.S. Department of Education will describe what the Department is doing to address this issue;• A national subject matter expert will explain what’s known & what’s working to address human trafficking;• A human trafficking specialist from a school district will describe what it has been doing to address human trafficking;• A survivor will share why this work matters; and• Speakers will answer your questions.

The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Violence Prevention—invites you to join the virtual panel discussion “Connecting the Dots: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the Intersection with Human Trafficking.” 

Summary

Research has shown that ACEs have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration. Studies show that children and youth who experience high levels of traumatic situations are at higher risk of injury, mental health problems, teen pregnancy, violence, and involvement in human trafficking incidents. This interactive training will discuss the latest research on ACEs and the intersection with human trafficking and vulnerable youth. The discussion will also focus on resources available and strategies on how service providers can utilize this information to enhance their approaches when working with children, youth, and families.

WHEN: Thursday, January 30, 2020

TIME:  2:00pm – 3:30pm Eastern Time

Registration (required)

All attendees must pre-register here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Panelists

• Ruth Leemis, MPH,Behavioral Scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Eric Wright, PhD,  Professor of Sociology and Public Health, Georgia State University

REGISTER EARLY, SPACE IS LIMITED

Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) is offering professional development training to new and seasoned tribal professionals through interactive online courses. The Tribal Strategic Planning/ETEP and Partnerships & Community Outreach courses will be available February 13 – March 20, 2020. The two online courses listed here are fee-based and have instructors to ensure individual questions are answered in a timely manner during the course period.

Instructors:

• Sharon Hausam, Ph.D., AICP, Pueblo of Laguna, Planning Program Manager

• Ondrea Barber, former Director for the Gila River Indian Community’s Department of Environmental Quality and Manager for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Division These online courses contain assignments, quizzes, videos, examples, and other resources. You will continue to have access to course materials after the course end date.

February 3 – 7, 2020 is Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week. Take a look at OVC TTAC’s online resources to promote Tax Identity Theft Awareness and so that we can protect ourselves against this growing issue.

“BJA will conduct a pre-application webinar for the FY 2019 STOP School Violence Grant Program solicitation to review the requirements of the program and answer questions. This grant program seeks to address specific areas of concern related to preventing school violence and aims to increase school safety by—

• implementing training and school threat assessments and/or intervention teams to identify school violence risks among students;

• technological solutions to enable students, teachers, faculty, and community members to anonymously identify threats of school violence; or

• other school safety strategies that assist in preventing violence.

The pre-application webinar will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. eastern time. Register here.

“January is National Stalking Awareness Month. In his proclamation, President Trump states that “National Stalking Awareness Month provides us with an opportunity to firmly rebuke the violating crime of stalking and to raise awareness about its warning signs.”View the following resources to find tools to help you build awareness and serve victims of crime—OVC’s Stalking Topic Page, contains publications, answers to frequently asked questions, and additional resources. Stalking Awareness Special Feature, a compilation of research and resources from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service. Stalking Awareness Month Page, from the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center. This web page provides ready-to-use resources to help your organization promote awareness through social media, newsletter, and other campaigns.” A full list of resources can be found here.

“Family Justice Centers provide a “one-stop shop” for victims of family violence (intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse). These co-located, multidisciplinary service centers reduce the number of places a victim must go to receive services following the crime. Services include, but are not limited to, assistance with protective orders, legal services, medical, counseling, safety planning, and more. This session will allow the audience to inquire about innovative practices within the Family Justice Center model.”
Read more about this session or register here.

OJJDP has released the latest issue of The AMBER Advocate newsletter. This issue features articles on: 

.• The 2019 AMBER Alert in Indian Country Symposium and remarks by Pamela Foster, the mother of Ashlynne Mike, a Navajo girl who was abducted and murdered.

• The Good Samaritan and Minnesota AMBER Alert that lead to the safe return of two abducted girls.

• Tanea Parmenter, Idaho’s AMBER Alert co-coordinator.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2020 Planning and Developing Infrastructure to Promote the Mental Health of Children, Youth and Families in American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) Communities (Short Title: Circles of Care) grants. The purpose of this program is to provide tribal and urban Indian communities with tools and resources to plan and design a holistic, evidence and community-based, coordinated system of care to support mental health for children, youth, and families. These grants are intended to increase the capacity and effectiveness of mental health systems serving AI/AN communities. Circles of Care grant recipients will focus on the need to reduce the gap between the need for mental health services and the availability of such services for the target population. The program has a strong emphasis on cross-system collaboration, inclusion of family, youth and community resources, and cultural approaches.

National Indian Child Welfare Association is hosting it’s 38th Annual Protecting Our Children Conference in Denver, Colorado, from March 29–April 1, 2020. The deadline to receive the Early Bird rate is February 28, 2020. Read more about the conference or register here.

The FY 2019 Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Grant Program is designed to improve school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to, and help prevent acts of violence. The program’s objective is to increase school safety by implementing training and school threat assessments and/or intervention teams to identify school violence risks among students; technological solutions such as anonymous reporting technology that can be implemented as a mobile phone-based app, a hotline, or a website in the applicant’s geographic area to enable students, teachers, faculty, and community members to anonymously identify threats of school violence; or other school safety strategies that assist in preventing violence. Learn more here.