OVW FY 2020 Domestic Violence Mentor Court Technical Assistance Initiative Solicitation | OVW 2020 17793

FAQs: OVW FY 2020 Domestic Violence Mentor Court Technical Assistance Initiative

What is the OVW FY 2020 Domestic Violence Mentor Court Technical Assistance Initiative?

It is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The initiative is designed to strengthen how courts respond to domestic violence cases by supporting established domestic violence courts that can serve as mentor sites and provide technical assistance to other jurisdictions.

What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?

The main goal is to improve court responses to domestic violence by spreading proven practices from well-established specialized domestic violence courts to jurisdictions that are starting, refining, or reforming their specialized dockets. The focus is on practical improvements to court processes that enhance victim safety and increase offender accountability.

Is this funding meant to expand direct services for victims?

No. The solicitation emphasizes technical assistance rather than direct service expansion. The funded work centers on strengthening systems and court operations, not adding or scaling direct victim services.

What is a "mentor court" in this program?

A mentor court is an established, specialized domestic violence court that operates as a model and helps other courts improve their domestic violence case handling. Mentor courts share methods that have worked in practice and help other jurisdictions translate best practices into day-to-day court operations.

What kinds of technical assistance activities are expected from mentor courts?

The solicitation describes hands-on, peer-oriented assistance. Examples include sharing proven practices, hosting learning opportunities such as site visits, connecting court teams with peers facing similar challenges, and helping developing jurisdictions apply best practices in routine court processes.

Who is this initiative intended to help?

It is intended to help jurisdictions that are earlier in development or are refining specialized domestic violence dockets, as well as court-based programs seeking practical guidance on what works. Indirectly, it aims to benefit victims and communities through improved court practices.

How does OVW describe the value of specialized domestic violence courts?

The solicitation frames specialized domestic violence courts as a way to provide a more focused, consistent, and effective structure for handling domestic violence cases, particularly when paired with proven operational practices and coordinated responses.

What outcomes does OVW want to see from this initiative?

The intended outcomes are system-focused and practical: improving victim safety and increasing offender accountability through better-informed court processes and coordinated responses.

What type of federal award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement. That generally means OVW expects to have substantial involvement in shaping, guiding, or overseeing the work during the project period, compared with a more hands-off funding approach.

Which agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).

What is the funding category for this opportunity?

The funding activity category is listed under Law, Justice and Legal Services (and also noted with an additional "Other" designation in the source information).

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The program falls under CFDA 16.029.

When was this opportunity created and what was the application deadline?

The opportunity was created on December 2, 2019, with an original application closing date of February 6, 2020.

How many awards did OVW expect to make?

OVW anticipated making up to four awards under this solicitation.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling was $150,000 per award.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," and applicants are instructed to review additional eligibility clarification in the full announcement. Based on the program description, the opportunity is aimed at established domestic violence courts positioned to serve as mentor sites, along with the appropriate administrative structures tied to those courts, but the definitive eligibility requirements would be in the full solicitation.

Is this program new, or does it build on earlier OVW efforts?

It builds on prior OVW investments. OVW has supported mentor court sites since FY 2013, and the FY 2020 solicitation continues that field-building effort.

What does it mean that the initiative is "peer-oriented" and "hands-on"?

It means mentor courts are expected to actively engage with other jurisdictions in a practical way, such as hosting visits, sharing operational tools and processes, facilitating learning across court teams, and helping others implement proven approaches within real court settings.

Does the solicitation specify exact eligibility criteria or required attachments?

Not in the information provided here. The summary indicates that applicants must consult the full announcement for additional eligibility clarification and other submission requirements.

What is the big-picture purpose of funding mentor courts instead of funding new courts directly?

The solicitation positions this as an investment in scaling effective court responses by formalizing a network of experienced mentor sites. The idea is that established courts can accelerate learning and improve consistency by guiding newer or reforming courts toward evidence-informed, operationally practical practices.