1) What is the expected range in regards to the size of grants?
The range in grant amounts will be based on a variety of factors, such as the number of qualified applicants, the amount of funds requested, and the amount of funds available.
2) The application states that the grants will be multi-year awards; can one apply for a larger amount for the second year to cover expected growth?
The phrase “multi-year awards” indicates the amount awarded through this grant cycle will be for fiscal years (FY) 2017–18 and 2018–19. It is the applicant’s discretion how to distribute the requested amount over the two fiscal years.
3) If our organization is awarded NOFA funds this year, are we still eligible to apply for other funding streams this year and/or in 2018/2019?
Yes, an organization is free to apply for other funding streams outside of the California Trauma Recovery Center grant.
4) Will eligibility for the NOFA grant include clients covered under the current unserved/underserved RFP/RFA?
Yes, clients whose care is, in part, covered by another source of funding are eligible for services through this grant. A service provider cannot, however, bill this grant in addition to another source of funding for the same service(s). Additionally, only services provided by grant-funded staff are eligible to be reimbursed through this grant.
5) We are currently gearing up to reopen under a new license. We hope to be open again in the next month or two. Would this prohibit our eligibility for this grant?
Applicants must demonstrate the capacity and ability to provide the services and meet the requirements as outlined in the Notice of Funds Available.
6) One of the grant required services is providing services to family members of homicide victims. Is this required of all applicants? Or does it just mean if it is applicable?
Per Section 12 (Grant Review and Award Process) of the Notice of Funds Available, applications that do not include the provision of services to crime victims and their family members will not be scored.
7) Two of the ineligible costs are purchasing commercial property and remodeling/refurbishing costs. Would this also include building new housing on our current property or new property? In other words, are all capital costs excluded?
The building of new housing an ineligible cost.
8) Do the ineligible costs also include rent of property?
Per Section 6 (Eligible Costs) of the Notice of Funds Available, rent of an office to provide direct services is an eligible cost. However, the rent or lease of electronic equipment, office furniture, or office fixtures would be ineligible costs.
9) I see that reporting would be done with MS Access. If we do not have MS Access software, could we include the cost of acquiring it in the grant?
Yes, the cost of software required by the grant is an eligible expense.
10) Is there a scoring rubric?
A scoring rubric exists, but it is not available to grant applicants.
11) Is there a Performance Management Tool that you can share?
No, there is not a performance management tool at this time.
12) May we use graduate level, social work, psychology, and marriage and family therapy interns on this grant?
Intern clinicians may be utilized as long as they are registered by the appropriate licensing board and properly supervised according to the requirements set by the appropriate licensing board.
13) Are preferential points granted for proposals that include external evaluation?
No, preference points are not awarded to proposals including external evaluation.
14) Are you able to share a handbook on this grant?
Yes, the grant recipient handbook is available upon request. For an electronic copy send a request to Grants@victims.ca.gov.
15) What is the required format for the budget?
Section 9 (Application Instructions) of the Notice of Funds Available indicates what needs to be included in the Budget and Budget Narrative sections of the grant application. Please refer to the Microsoft Excel Budget Worksheet posted on the Grant Opportunities page of CalVCB’s website.
16) Will $2,000,000 be expended each year, for the two year grant period?
CalVCB awards grants totaling up to $2,000,000 from the Restitution Fund each year. Additional funds may be available through the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act and will be determined by July 31st each fiscal year. The total amount awarded to each grantee is expended over two fiscal years. The amounts awarded to grantees for this NOFA will span the 2017-18 and 2018-19 fiscal years.
17) Can a nonprofit applicant that does not provide mental health services be the lead applicant in a partnership proposal that includes a medical/mental health provider?
Yes. The provision of mental health treatment is a major component of the TRC program so an applicant that does not provide mental health services is urged to partner with a provider who has demonstrated capability in this area.
18) Are organizations required to serve all of the identified victims as indicated on page 4 of the NOFA. For example, could an organization serve some of the identified populations, but not all of them?
Organizations are not required to serve all of the identified victims indicated in the Notice of Funds Available. Preference, however, shall be given to organizations who serve victims of a wide-range of crimes and victims who typically are unable to access traditional services.
19) How many grantees are you considering this year and what is the average grant amount request?
The number of grant awards and the average award amount is not predetermined. It will be based on a variety of factors, such as the number of qualified applicants, the amount of funds requested, and the amount of funds available.