Assistance for Torture Victims

 

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) provides funding to the Services for Survivors of Torture Program which includes Direct Services for Survivors of Torture (DS SOT) program and Technical Assistance to Survivors of Torture program (TA SOT) program. The aim of the DS SOT program is to help survivors and their families overcome the severe, pervasive, and long-lasting effects of torture and achieve sustained physical, social, emotional, and economic well-being. To achieve this aim, ORR seeks to 1) increase survivors' access to and engagement with effective, holistic, strengths-based, trauma-informed services; and 2) to maintain and grow a strong and sustainable national network of culturally responsive service providers. The aim of the TA SOT program is to fund a healing torture and trauma initiative that includes 1) a national center to coordinate education, training, and research efforts, and 2) a strong and sustainable national network of organizations serving survivors of torture.

Active 93.604 Administration For Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services B - Project Grants; C - Direct Payments For Specified Use Fiscal Year 2016 Grants were awarded to 35 grantees, including one technical assistance provider. It is projected that 9,500 survivors of torture will receive services from the program in FY 2016. Approximately 7,500 survivors of torture received services from the program in FY 2016
Fiscal Year 2017 Grants were awarded to 35 grantees, including one technical assistance provider. Approximately 8,000 survivors of torture received services from the program in FY 2017.
Fiscal Year 2018 It is projected that 30 direct service grantees and one technical assistance provider will be awarded in FY 2018.
Fiscal Year 2019 ORR awarded 30 direct service grantees and one technical assistance provider competitive awards, as well as one technical assistance provider supplement award in FY 2019.
Fiscal Year 2020 ORR awarded 35 direct service recipients and one technical assistance provider non-competing continuations, as well as 3 direct service recipients and one technical assistance provider supplement awards.
Fiscal Year 2021 ORR awarded 35 direct service recipients and one technical assistance provider non-competing continuations, as well 34 direct service and one technical assistance provider supplement awards.
Fiscal Year 2022 ORR awarded 35 direct service recipients and one technical assistance provider non-compete continuations with additional funding for each recipient to expand services. A total of $16,203,998 was issued to recipients.
Fiscal Year 2023 ORR issued competitive awards to 35 direct service recipients and one technical assistance provider for a total of $17,051,813.
Fiscal Year 2024 ORR expects to issue up to non-competing continuation awards to 35 direct service recipients and one technical assistance recipient with estimated total funding of $24,524,689. ORR expects to issue one award of $1,242,349 for the technical assistance award. Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998, Section 5 (a), Public Law 105-320, 22 U.S.C. 2152 note Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to received awards. Eligibility is open to the following types of entities: State governments; county governments; city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state controlled institutions of higher education; Native American tribal governments (federally recognized); public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education; nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS other than institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; for profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The Services for Survivors of Torture program serves individuals and families, regardless of immigration status, who have suffered torture in a foreign country and are currently residing in the U.S. Governing board membership documentation and/or articles of incorporation are required. Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. The Direct Services program is designed to assist survivors of torture in the healing and recovery process by providing access to medical, psychological, legal, and social services which are provided directly by the recipients and indirectly through partner organizations. SOT recipients also provide professional training to local service providers to assist them in identifying and serving survivors of torture. The Technical Assistance program seeks to ensure that survivors of torture have access to quality and sustainable services by providing trainings, resources, and consultations to direct service recipients and other ORR-funded organizations serving survivors of torture. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants may find and apply to NOFOs on https://www.grants.gov ORR requires that appropriate proposals/applications are submitted, and a determination is made on recipients that can "best perform" the services in accordance with 8 U.S.C. ? 1522(a)(4)(A). Each application is screened to determine whether it meets any of the disqualifying factors: missing the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, or exceeding the Award Ceiling. Disqualified applications are considered "non-responsive" and excluded from the competitive review process. Applications competing for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated by objective review panels using only the criteria described in NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. Results of the competitive objective review are taken into consideration by ACF in the selection of projects for funding; however, objective review scores and rankings are not binding and are only one element used in the award decision-making process. ACF reserves the right to consider preferences to fund organizations serving emerging, unserved, or under-served populations, including populations located in pockets of poverty. In addition, ACF reserves the right to evaluate applications in a larger context by considering the geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g., ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF will complete a review of risk posed by applicants as described in 45 CFR 75.205. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to sub-award if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage sub-recipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Applicants may be awarded an amount lower than requested. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 90 to 120 days. Not applicable. Non-competing continuations will be issued based on availability of funds, satisfactory progress, compliance with award terms and conditions, and a determination that continuation funding is in the best interest of the government. The criteria for selecting proposals are included in the NOFO. The Torture Victims Relief Act (TVRA) of 1998 restricts funding for domestic programs to direct services, research, and training. The authorizing legislation uses the definition of torture given in 18 U.S.C § 2340(1). Service providers are restricted to serving individuals who meet the eligibility criteria based on this definition. Performance Reports: Performance progress reports are required using the SF-PPR ACF Performance Progress Report on a semi-annual basis. Final Program Performance Reports summarizing the activities and accomplishments of the project over the entire project period are required 90 days after the end of the project period. For more information, see: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/manage-grant/reporting. ORR staff review Program Performance Reports and monitor recipients to review the financial and programmatic aspects of the project. 45 CFR Part 75 Subpart F applies to this program. Recipients are required to keep all financial and program records necessary for program review and audit for the project period in accordance with 45 CFR 75.361-5 to ensure that funds have been expended in accordance with the regulations, award terms, and conditions of this program. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Awards were made on 9/30/2022 for a five-year project period with five 12-month budget periods. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Post award, the Division of Payment Management will establish an account from which a recipient may draw down awards funds. Funds are made available for reimbursement of allowable expenditures. None/Not specified. Dr. Margaret Brewinski-Isaacs, Director, Division of Refugee Health
Mary E. Switzer Building
330 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20201 US
margaret.brewinskiisaacs@acf.hhs.gov
Phone: (202) 821-9594
Fax: (202) 401-0981 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr 75-1503-0-1-609 (Project Grants) FY 22$16,235,913.00; FY 23 est $17,120,000.00; FY 24 est $24,524,689.00; FY 21$15,422,728.00; FY 20$15,191,119.00; FY 19$13,511,133.00; FY 18$10,400,000.00; FY 17$10,423,000.00; FY 16$10,423,000.00; - (Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 22$815,900.00; FY 23 est $880,000.00; FY 24 est $1,242,349.00; FY 21$781,270.00; - In FY 2023, awards for direct services range from $300,000 to $617,500. The average award was $472,034. There was one grant award for technical assistance in the amount of $974,051. An additional $466,563 in funding is expected to be awarded to nine direct service recipients this fiscal year in support of services for Nicaraguan Humanitarian Parolees. In FY 2024, an estimated total funding of $17,495,249 will be issued to 36 recipients. The awards for direct services will range from $308,000 to $625,000. The average award will be $472,034. The technical assistance will receive an estimated award of $974,051. Not applicable. Not applicable.