March 13, 2015 Trauma Recovery Center Grant Questions and Answers

1) Are either the Cover Letter or Budget Narrative required to be double-spaced, or is single-spacing allowed?

Yes, the formatting requirements outlined in Section 9 (Application Instructions) of the Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) apply to all sections of the application packet.

2) Regarding mental health services and the staff of clinicians, are MFT and ASW Board Registered Interns (approved by the licensing Board of Behavioral Sciences) able to provide treatment under this grant?

Yes, MFT and ASW Board Registered Interns are able to provide treatment services under the supervision of a LCSW, LMFT, licensed psychologist, or licensed MD certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

3) Are matching funds required?

No, matching funds are not required.

4) Is it one year with option to renew for two additional?

No, the fiscal year 2015/2016 grant award will be for a period of 2 years. If awarded, the trauma recovery center is eligible to apply for the fiscal year 2017/2018 grant award.

5) What is max budget we can apply for?

The maximum funding available in this grant cycle is two million dollars ($2,000,000.00). If there are multiple grants awarded, the funds will be allocated between the awardees.

6) Can an organization, that is, among other things, a local Sexual Assault Crisis Center (formerly titled Rape Crisis Centers) be the lead agency?

Any entity may make the decision to apply, but eligibility cannot be determined until the scoring process is implemented.

7) VCGCB in previous communications has indicated that they may award consecutive grants to currently funded agencies. Does VCGCB anticipate this being the case for this proposal?

Agencies currently being funded may apply in the consecutive grant period to avoid a lapse in funding. The awards process is competitive.

8) If VCGCB does intend to re-award current recipients based upon need would this be for the same previously awarded amount?

No, the amounts may differ from prior awarded amounts due to the total number of TRCs recommended for funding.

9) Will the NOFA grant replace current protocol for billing Cal VCP?

Yes, as a grant recipient, the TRC may not bill CalVCP for any services funded by the grant. However, mental health treatment provided by a therapist whose services are not compensated by the grant may be billed directly to CalVCP under current protocol.

10) Will only grant recipients be allowed to treat VOC clients directly in the future?

No, eligible CalVCP applicants may seek treatment from a provider of their choice.

11) Does the grant award allow grantee (Trauma Recovery Center) to render eligibility decisions and approve VOC applications in-house rather than require Application approval process through CalVCP as currently practiced?

No, CalVCP applications will continue to be approved by the Board. However, Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) clients are not required to meet CalVCP eligibility requirements in order to receive services from an awarded TRC.

12) If not awarded a grant, may mid-sized community mental-health agencies ($5,300,000.00) that function as a Trauma Recovery Center continue to treat/bill for VOC services as deemed eligible by CalVCP?

Yes.

13) Does VCGCB consider mid-sized community mental-health agencies that function as a Trauma Recovery Center serving VOC clients worthy applicants, such that they are encouraged to apply and will be considered for their contributions, albeit on smaller scale than larger, previously awarded grantees?

Please review the Notice of Funds Available (NOFA). The NOFA provides details regarding eligibility and should help you decide if you meet the criteria for this grant opportunity. Unfortunately, the Grants Coordination Team cannot assist you in determining your eligibility. It is recommended that you review the NOFA documents carefully and if in your opinion you meet the criteria, we encourage you to apply.

14) Under this grant program, is there a requirement to complete victim compensation applications? If so, will there be an individual determination of qualification?

Yes, as stated on pages 3 and 4 of Section 4 (Eligibility Criteria) of the NOFA, an eligible applicant must engage in assisting victims with applying for crime victim compensation. CalVCP applications will continue to be approved by the Board. However, Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) clients are not required to meet CalVCP eligibility requirements in order to receive services from an awarded TRC.

15) Are unlicensed therapists, with master’s degrees earning clinical hours, working under supervision by a licensed therapist eligible to be clinicians under this program?

MFT, ASW, PCC interns, and Psychological Assistants who are Registered Interns with the appropriate licensing board are able to provide treatment services while receiving clinical supervision according to the licensing board’s requirements. Please visit CalVCP’s Mental Health Service Providers page for a list of qualified mental health providers.

16) When you ask what services will be provided by salaried and/or contracted TRC staff and what services will be referred to other service providers, are you also asking for a delineation of tasks that will be provided through this funding and what will be provided in kind/through other funding mechanisms, but by the same lead and subcontracting agencies?

Yes.

17) We did not see a specific location to present goals, objectives or outcomes. Is there a place in our proposals to address these issues, or is that something that will be worked out individually with funded partners?

Goals, objectives and outcomes should be contained within the Program Narrative section of the application package.

18) Our community is much in need of such a service, but wonder if you can extend the deadline, at least for getting supporting letters from other doctors and community members. Very little time has been given to complete this task, although we would love to be of service and create a Nightingale wing of the Songbird Center.

Please refer to the list of minimum components in Section 12, Grant Review and Award Process, to determine if you meet the criteria for this grant opportunity. Applicants proposing to serve the largest population of victims will be more competitive.

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