DISTRICT SPECIFIC TRAINING
Purpose: The purpose of this program is to assist U.S. Attorneys in their responsibility to comply with Federal crime victims' legislation and to improve the response of Federal criminal justice personnel to the rights and needs of victims of Federal crime. In order to provide a mechanism for U.S. Attorneys' Offices to request assistance in complying with Federal crime victim legislation, and to further meet the training needs of Federal criminal justice personnel, OVC, in coordination with the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA), initiated the District Specific Training Program in 1994.
Background: The District Specific Training Program is an ongoing effort to respond to the individual needs of diverse Federal districts in providing training to Federal criminal justice personnel and others who assist crime victims daily. Since 1994, OVC has also targeted Indian Country, which often presents unique obstacles to victims of crime such as fewer law enforcement resources, a shortage of victim services, and geographic isolation. In response to the unique needs of victims in remote areas of Indian Country, OVC collaborates with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) each year to encourage the development of regional trainings. Through the District Specific Training initiative, OVC has provided funding and personnel support--including scholarships for participants--for diverse conferences, such as (1) a Hostage Negotiation Training Conference, (2) the Four Corners Indian Country Conference, (3) the Oklahoma Regional Child Abuse/Domestic Violence Conference, (4)Victim Assistance Conference for military and other Federal criminal justice personnel, and (5) a nationwide domestic violence teleconference.
A. Requests for Funds
U.S. Attorneys' Offices may access funds up to $20,000 when three or more districts plan a combined training event for district specific training that improves the Federal response to crime victims. Individual districts may request up to $5,000.
Within a reasonable time prior to the proposed training, the U.S. Attorney from the requesting district must send a letter to OVC's Federal Crime Victims Division (FCVD), detailing the
following points:
1. Statement of Purpose: The impact or
outcome of training, including expected improvements in responding to the needs and rights of crime victims.
2. Objectives of Training: How the training will be coordinated, for whom the training is designed, type of presentations expected, and the number of Federal, tribal, military, and/or other personnel to be trained. Also, include the number of district, Federal agencies, tribal organizations, and others participating as cosponsors.
3. Itemized Budget Request by Category: Proposed fund use, i.e., for scholarships, consultant fees, travel, per diem, resource materials, facilities, and audiovisual aids. Districts are encouraged to include illustrations of how the requested funds will best be utilized.
4. Other Funds or Resources: The
amount of other funds and resources that will be available, i.e., registration fees; in-kind contributions such as volunteer hours by LECC members or others; donations towards printing; and use of government facilities for holding the training event.
5. Attachments: A draft agenda, speakers' list, and a résumé for each presenter.
6. Products: Tangible products that will be produced, i.e., protocols, training manuals, or internal guidelines.
B. Authorization of Funds
OVC will review written requests and make a determination based upon the factors outlined under section A, above, and the total amount of funds available at the time of the request. If authorized by the Director, OVC will inform EOUSA and the sponsoring U.S. Attorney about the amount of funds authorized. Final approval authority for the use of these funds is vested with EOUSA.
C. Approval of Proposed Training Agenda
As OVC is responsible for assuring that Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds are utilized as prescribed by VOCA, OVC staff must review and approve the training agenda before it is finalized. In addition, OVC staff can assist the requestor by providing current information on victim assistance issues, resources available from the OVC Resource
Center, and a list of qualified OVC Trainers Bureau consultants.
D. Final Reporting Requirements
The sponsoring U. S. Attorney must provide a report to the FCVD within 60 days of the training event to describe how the Crime Victims Fund was used to improve the response to Federal crime victims. OVC will include this information in its own Report to Congress. OVC requires the following:
1. Copy of the final agenda and speakers' list.
2. Summary of training activities, training evaluations, accomplishments, and out-
comes (i.e., changes in policies and procedures, adoption of new protocols, and formation of working groups).
3. List of attendees and their Tribal, Federal, State, or local affiliations.
4. List of scholarship recipients.
5. Amount of OVC funds used. In order to maximize scarce training dollars, OVC requests that districts report final expenditures as soon as possible. Unused training funds will be reallocated to other districts.
3/2/98 FS000215