Homeland Security Grants : Law Enforcement, Firefighters, other First Responders - FY03-04

Help also is available through the Drug Court Clearinghouse and Technical Assistance Project (DCCTAP). This program provides jurisdictions that are currently implementing drug court programs, as well as those that are considering developing or expanding such programs, with clearinghouse and technical assistance services and other support. Jurisdictions that currently receive funding under the Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program are given priority for onsite services.

2.  I want to set up a computer system to help my drug court operation. Where can I find information?

Using computer technology in drug courts offers many advantages, including access to better information, greater accountability, and improved communications. For information on how to establish your own system, go to www.drugcourttech.org. This web site provides helpful tools, resources, and links. The site also provides a virtual tour of three courts that have implemented computer technology: the Brooklyn Treatment Court System, the Buffalo Drug Court System, and the South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) System.

3.  I understand that violent offenders are not eligible for adult drug court programs. What is the definition of a violent offender?

The statute (42 USC 3797(u)) defines a violent offender, for purposes of adult drug courts, family drug courts, and tribal drug courts, as a person who:

1. Is charged with or convicted of an offense, during the course of which offense or conduct:

• The person carried, possessed, or used a firearm or dangerous weapon;


• There occurred the death of, or serious bodily injury to, any person; or


• There occurred the use of force against the person of another, without regard to whether any of the circumstances described in subparagraph (a) or (b) is an element of the offense or conduct of which or for which the person is charged or convicted;

or

2. Has one or more prior convictions for a felony crime of violence involving the use or attempted use of force against a person with the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm.

4.  Is an offender eligible for adult drug court programs if he or she has previously been convicted of a misdemeanor offense related to threatened or actual use of force or use, possession, or carrying of a firearm or dangerous weapon?

Yes. The offender is eligible for adult drug court programs, as long as his or her current charge does not fall within the violent offender definition. The statute’s (42 USC 3797(u)) definition of violent offender specifically limits prior offenses that cause a person to be categorized as a violent offender to felony crimes of violence. If a person has a prior misdemeanor conviction, even though threatened or actual use of force or use, possession, or carrying of a firearm or dangerous weapon occurred during the offense, the person is not a violent offender according to the statute.

5.  Is an offender eligible for adult drug court programs if he or she has a prior felony arrest (but not conviction) for an offense related to threatened or actual use of force or use, possession, or carrying of a firearm or dangerous weapon?

Yes. The offender is eligible for adult drug court programs as long as his or her current charge does not fall within the violent offender definition. The statute’s (42 USC 3797(u)) definition of violent offender specifically limits prior offenses that cause a person to be categorized as a violent offender to felony convictions. Prior felony arrests are not included in this definition. If a person has a prior felony arrest, even though it involved threatened or actual use of force or use, possession, or carrying of a firearm or dangerous weapon, the person is not a violent offender according to the statute.

6.  Is an offender eligible for adult drug court programs if a charge that would qualify as a violent offense according to the definition is dropped or reduced to a nonviolent offense?

Yes. If the reduced charge does not qualify as a violent offense, then the offender is eligible. If a charge is dropped or reduced to a nonviolent offense, the offender is eligible for adult drug court programs. Charges that have been dropped cannot be considered when assessing whether an offender falls under the violent offender definition. Reduced charges are subject to the violent offender definition.

7.  If an adult drug court client is charged with a violent crime, as defined by the statute, while in the program, must he or she be removed from the program? Does it matter if the new charge is a misdemeanor or a felony?

Yes. Any new violent charge, as defined by the statute (42 USC 3797(u)), whether a misdemeanor or a felony, prohibits the client from further or continued participation in an adult drug court program that receives BJA funds. The client can reenter the program if and only if the violent charges are dropped or the client is found “not guilty.”

8.  Violent offenders are not eligible for juvenile drug court programs. What is the definition of a violent offender?

A violent offender, for purposes of juvenile drug courts, is defined as a person who has been convicted of, or adjudicated delinquent for, an offense that:

1. Has an element, the use, the attempted use, or the threatened use of physical force against the person or property of another, or the possession, or use of a firearm; or
2. By its nature, involves a substantial risk that physical force against the person or property of another may be used in the course of committing the offense.

9.  What is the definition of "physical force" under the statute? Does the physical taking of property, such as shoplifting, or the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, which is damaged while a juvenile is driving it, involve the use of "physical force"?

The term "physical force" is not defined in the statute (42 USC 3797(u)). Each state should determine whether a juvenile's conduct involves "physical force" and whether the juvenile meets the definition of "violent offender" based on state law.

10.  Are juveniles who are convicted of, or adjudicated delinquent for, conduct that involves pushing and shoving each other in mutual scuffles, or spray painting graffiti on a fence, excluded from participating in a juvenile drug court as "violent offenders"?

Pushing and shoving may or may not constitute "physical force" under the statute (42 USC 3797(u)), depending on relevant state law. If state law contains no definition of "physical force," drug court program officials should consult with cooperating district attorneys' offices to make a reasonable interpretation that is consistent with state law and that is applied consistently within the relevant jurisdiction.

11.  Is an individual charged or convicted in a criminal court for a misdemeanor drug possession eligible to participate in an adult drug court if he has a prior delinquency adjudication that constitutes "a felony crime of violence involving the use or attempted use of force against a person with the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm"?

If under state law, a person who was adjudicated delinquent in juvenile court is considered to be convicted for "a felony crime of violence involving the use or attempted use of force against a person with the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm," the individual would be ineligible to participate in an adult drug court program. The determination should be made on a state-by-state basis.

12.  Is an alleged juvenile offender eligible for a juvenile drug court program if he or she has previously been convicted of, or adjudicated delinquent for, a misdemeanor offense related to threatened or actual use of force, or use, possession, or carrying of a firearm or dangerous weapon?

No. The statute (42 USC 3797(u)) provides that a juvenile who has been convicted of, or adjudicated delinquent for, any violent offense, is not eligible to participate in a juvenile drug court program. The statute makes no distinction between felonies and misdemeanors in rendering a juvenile ineligible based on a prior conviction or adjudication for a covered offense.

13.  Is a juvenile offender eligible for a juvenile drug court program if he or she has a prior arrest (but not a conviction or adjudication) for an offense related to threatened or actual use of force or use, possession, or carrying of a firearm or dangerous weapon?

Yes, under the statute (42 USC 3797(u)), a juvenile who is charged with, but who has not been convicted or adjudicated delinquent for a violent offense, may participate in a juvenile drug court program.

14.  Is an alleged juvenile offender eligible for a juvenile drug court program if the instant charge involves the use, possession, or carrying of a firearm or dangerous weapon?

Yes, for purposes of juvenile drug court eligibility, the nature of the conduct that brings the juvenile into the court system is immaterial, so long as he or she does not have a prior conviction, or adjudication as delinquent, for either a misdemeanor or felony crime that meets the statutory definition of a violent offender. Accordingly, the same conduct that may be disqualifying in a post-adjudication-based juvenile drug court program would not be disqualifying in a pre-adjudication-based juvenile drug court program.

15.  If a 16-year-old defendant is charged with a violent crime in criminal court, can he or she participate in a juvenile drug court program?

Yes. As long as the defendant has not previously been convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for a violent offense, a juvenile who is charged with a violent crime in criminal court can be diverted to a pre-adjudication juvenile drug court program. (Under the statute (42 USC 3797(u)), neither a juvenile nor an adult who is charged with a violent crime is eligible to participate in an adult drug court program.)

16.  If a juvenile is charged with a violent crime while participating in a juvenile drug court program, must he be removed from the program? Does it matter if the new charge is a misdemeanor or a felony?

No. A juvenile drug court client who is charged with a violent crime can remain in the program unless and until he or she is convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for an offense that meets the definition for "violent offender," regardless of whether he or she is charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.

17.  If a violent offender is admitted, inadvertently or otherwise, to a drug court program (adult, family, tribal, and juvenile), is it possible for the grant to be rescinded or canceled?

Yes. Per the statute (42 USC 3797(u)), if it is discovered that a violent offender is inadvertently participating in a drug court program, the federally funded portion of the program will be suspended pending the removal of the violent offender from the program. If the program fails to remove the violent offender, funding must be rescinded or canceled, because the statute provides that no violent offenders will be permitted to participate in a federally funded drug court program.

18.  Does the degree of violence within a violent offense affect eligibility to participate in an adult or juvenile drug court?

No. The degree of violence within a qualifying offense is irrelevant. If the offender commits a violent offense under the statute (42 USC 3797(u)), he or she is ineligible to participate in a drug court program.

19.  Do the definitions of violent offender include people who legally use, possess, or carry a firearm or dangerous weapon?

No. BJA interprets the definition of violent offender as being restricted to people who illegally use, possess, or carry a firearm or dangerous weapon. Therefore, offenders are not precluded from participation in a drug court for either (1) using a legally licensed firearm or dangerous weapon in a legally justifiable way, such as in circumstances of self-defense, or (2) possessing or carrying an otherwise legally licensed firearm or dangerous weapon.

D. Local Law Enforcement Block Grants (LLEBG) Program

1.  Am I eligible to receive funds under the LLEBG Program?

To be eligible, you must be a “general purpose unit of government”: county, town or township, village, city, parish, American Indian tribe, Alaska Native village, or parish sheriff (in the State of Louisiana). BJA awards grants to units of local government directly when award amounts are at least $10,000. LLEBG funds are allocated by a formula based on Part I Violent Crimes as reported in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reports.

BJA makes one aggregate award directly to the State Administering Agency for each state, the District of Columbia, and the five territories. The state then distributes LLEBG funds to the state police department that provides law enforcement services to units of local government and to those units of local government whose award is less than $10,000.

Click here to view previous years’ eligibility lists.

2.  What are the program requirements for LLEBG?

Several sources of information about the LLEBG Program are available. The most current information is posted on the BJA web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/llebg_00main.html. You should also read the LLEBG Special Conditions attached to each year’s LLEBG award. You can also call your BJA program manager directly or e-mail him or her via the online LLEBG Grants Management System (GMS). Finally, you can call the Support Services Helpline at 1-888-549-9901.

3.  What is the match requirement for the LLEBG Program?

Under the LLEBG Program, the federal LLEBG funds you receive may not exceed 90 percent of the total cost of your program. In other words: total program cost = the federal award amount (90 percent) + the local match amount (10 percent). Recipients are required to contribute a local cash match. The amount of the required match can be computed by calculating one-ninth of the federal award amount. The matching requirement is only applicable to the amount of the federal award, not any interest or income that may be earned. The cash match requirement cannot be waived. For more information on the LLEBG match requirement, please go to Part IV, Chapter 2 of the Office of the Comptroller Financial Guide.

4.  Can I use grant funds for travel and/or training? Do I abide by federal or state regulations and travel rates?

Yes, LLEBG Program funds may be used to cover costs associated with travel and training. To be allowable, the travel and training must be associated with or support activities/projects/efforts that are allowable within the parameters of the LLEBG Program and its seven purpose areas.

You may follow your own established travel rates. If no established travel rates are in effect, you must abide by the federal travel rates. The current federal travel policy and per diem rate information is available on the General Services Administration (GSA) web site.

5.  What is an illegal or inappropriate expenditure under LLEBG?

Federal funds cannot be used to supplant (replace) state or local funds appropriated for the same purpose. Federal funds must be used to increase (supplement) the funds otherwise available from state and local sources.

Under the LLEBG Program, you have a 24-month combined obligation and expenditure period. Program funds should not be obligated or expended before or after this 24-month period.

You may not expend LLEBG Program funds to purchase, lease, rent, or acquire tanks or armored personnel carriers, fixed-wing aircraft, limousines, real estate, yachts, consultants, or vehicles not used primarily for law enforcement. In addition, you should reference Part III, Chapter 16 of the Office of the Comptroller's (OC's) Financial Guide.

6.  What are the rules for contracting? Do I abide by federal or state regulations?

Under the LLEBG Program, you may not use funds to retain a consultant’s services. However, you may use program funds to enter into a contractual agreement to procure equipment, technology, other materials, and/or training that is directly related to the implementation, support, or evaluation of a project that falls within the parameters of the LLEBG Program’s seven purpose areas. The LLEBG-funded services provided under the terms of the contract may not be solely advisory; the contractual agreement must deliver services or products that result in the tangible support of an approved project/program.

Although exception may be given to a justified sole-source situation, contracts are awarded via competitive processes to procure a product or service. You should abide by your local and state contract/procurement regulations. However, every contract must include any clauses required by federal statutes and executive orders and their implementing regulations. For additional guidance, refer to Part III, Chapter 10 of the Office of the Comptroller Financial Guide.

7.  Are there rules that identify who I can hire under my grant?

Yes. You must abide by the legislatively mandated special condition that reads, “. . . if the funds are used for the hiring and employing of new, additional law enforcement officers and/or support personnel, the recipient unit of local government will achieve a net gain in the number of law enforcement officers who perform nonadministrative public safety service.” In other words, LLEBG grant funds may not be used to supplant existing state and local funding sources. You may use LLEBG funds to hire officers and necessary support personnel if they are in addition to staff already budgeted and the additional staff facilitates increased public safety service. Furthermore, in the hiring process, preferences must be given to members of the armed forces.

8.  Who can I contact if I have a question about using LLEBG funds?

Please contact your BJA program manager to discuss proposed uses of LLEBG Program funds and issues of allowable costs. You can also contact your program manager via the online LLEBG Grant Management System.

9.  Can I find out how other jurisdictions are using their LLEBG funds?

Yes, you can view the LLEBG Jurisdiction Allocations & Project Details system, which we also refer to as “Clicky Map,” on the BJA web site.

E. Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners

1.  Can funds be used to treat offenders who abuse alcohol?

Yes. Substance abuse refers to both alcohol and drug abuse.

2.  Can Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds be used to implement local programs?

Yes. Although the program title indicates that the funds are for programs that treat state prisoners, the funds may also be used to treat inmates in local jails, provided the program meets the RSAT Program requirements.

3.  May local programs serve only state prisoners held in local facilities?

No. Programs in local facilities may serve local inmates as long as these inmates are held long enough to participate in the residential program for 6-12 months.

4.  Are the states required to allocate any portion of the formula grant funds as subawards to local units of government?

No. All of the funds may be used for state-level programs, or the state may choose to pass through all or a portion of the funds to local units of government, provided that the program meets the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program requirements.

5.  Can grant funds be used to provide substance abuse treatment in juvenile facilities?

Yes, provided that the program meets the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program requirements.

6.  The program purpose indicates that funds can be used for programs “in which prisoners are incarcerated for a period of time sufficient to permit substance abuse treatment.” What constitutes a sufficient period of time?

The program must be 6-12 months long, which is the amount of time research studies show to be the optimal time in treatment. A grant-funded program should accept only inmates who can participate in the residential phase of the program for 6-12 months.

7.  Can a grant-funded project comprise multiple phases, such as an intensive treatment phase and a transitional phase?

Yes, as long as the total program meets Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program requirements. If the multiple program phases constitute an integrated treatment experience in which the offender participates for 6-12 months and if the offender remains housed in a placement that meets the RSAT requirements, then the different phases may be combined into a single RSAT-funded program.

8.  What types of services can we provide with grant funds?

Grant funds may be used for services directly related to substance abuse treatment. This includes the services of treatment staff, consultant therapists, physicians, and others, according to the program’s treatment curriculum and the offender’s individual needs. Programs that address co-occurring disorders of substance abuse and mental illness may be grant funded as long as the primary focus, and the reason for placement in the program, is the offender’s substance abuse. Grant funds may not be used for services routinely available to all offenders, such as medical or dental care.

9.  Must the program be located within a prison or jail?

No. The residential treatment may be provided in conventional prison and jail facilities, boot camps, halfway houses, residential community corrections programs, and other similar types of residential correctional facilities, provided that the program meets the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program requirements. The program must, however, be located in a state-recognized correctional facility.

10.  If all or a portion of the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program is based in the community to assist offenders with their transition back into the neighborhood, can the offenders spend several nights per week, especially just prior to release, in the community with their families?

No. The RSAT Program must be a residential program. Although offenders may leave the program during the day to work or attend school, they must reside in the program, and nonwork/school waking hours primarily must focus on activities regarding substance abuse treatment.

11.  Can Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds be used for aftercare costs?

Yes. As of the FY 2002 awards, up to 10 percent of your RSAT award may be used to help offenders with their transition back into the neighborhood and for community substance abuse treatment for offenders. The aftercare program must be directly related to and complement an existing RSAT Program or a program that would meet all of the RSAT requirements.

BJA also encourages you to look at how the RSAT Program may be coordinated with the reentry strategy being developed in your state. For example, 49 states, the District of Colombia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands received FY 2002 funding through the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative.

12.  The guidelines indicate that the states are “required to give preference to subgrant applicants who will provide aftercare services to program participants.” Does this mean that a state could fund a program without an aftercare component?

Yes. Although states are required to give preference to programs that provide aftercare, research shows that programs are much more effective if they provide aftercare services.

13.  If an offender returns to the general prison population after completing a grant-funded substance abuse treatment program, can grant funds be used to provide followup care within the prison facility?

No. Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) grant funds can be used only for programs that meet the RSAT statutory requirements. Grant funds cannot be used for any treatment or drug testing for offenders who do not reside in a treatment program that meets the requirements.

14.  Can grant funds be used to pay staff who provide services to inmates in residential treatment programs and the general corrections population?

Yes. Grant and match funds can be used to pay staff costs for services they provide within the residential treatment program. However, staff whose salaries are paid completely with grant and match funds cannot spend a portion of their time providing services to inmates in locations or situations that do not meet the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment statutory requirements. If such services are provided, other funds must be used to pay for the staff time devoted to these services.

15.  Must an offender be sentenced to prison or jail to qualify for participation in a grant-funded treatment program?

No. The offender may reside in a prison, jail, boot-camp, or residential facility in the community, such as a halfway house. Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds also can be used to pay for residential programs for pretrial detainees or probation or parole violators who are confined to a residential placement for sufficient time to meet the RSAT requirements.

16.  Can the courts sentence offenders directly to a community-based residential treatment program or must the offender be sentenced to and placed by the Department of Corrections?

Yes. Grant funds may be used to support residential substance abuse treatment programs in alternative correctional facilities that accept offenders directly from the courts.

17.  Can grant funds be used to establish a community-based residential treatment program as an intermediate sanction for probation or parole violators rather than sending or returning them to prison?

Yes, as long as the program meets the other Residential Substance Abuse Treatment criteria.

18.  May grant funds be used to implement the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) drug testing requirement?

Yes, but RSAT grant funds may only pay for the costs associated with testing offenders while they are in the RSAT grant-funded program. States may use up to 10 percent of their Violent Offender Incarceration and Truth-in-Sentencing (VOI/TIS) Incentive Program funds to implement the drug testing VOI/TIS requirement. Grant funds may not be used to supplant existing nonfederal funding. If the state is already testing offenders in residential substance abuse treatment, RSAT funds may not replace the state funds dedicated to this purpose. Similarly, if RSAT funds are used to expand an existing program, grant funds can be used only to pay for testing of the additional, RSAT-funded participants.

19.  If the state allocates subawards of the RSAT grant to local units of government, is the local unit of government required to implement drug testing for individuals in the grant-funded program?

Yes. All Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program requirements apply to any funded program.

20.  May grant funds be used to expand or enhance an existing treatment program?

Yes. However, grant funds may not be used to supplant or replace existing nonfederal funds.

21.  Can Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds be used to continue a project currently funded by another federal grant program?

Yes. Although the intent of this program is to increase the availability of treatment programs for offenders, these funds could be used to continue a program currently funded by another federal grant program. However, the rules that relate to supplanting other funding would apply to the continuation of programs currently funded with state or local funds. Programs initiated with other federal funds must meet or be modified to meet the RSAT Program requirements.

22.  Can grant funds be used to buy slots or pay for services for offenders in a private treatment facility?

Yes, as long as the offender is in state custody. Aftercare may be covered, although overall expenditures for aftercare may not exceed 10 percent.

23.  Could a correctional agency use grant funds to contract with a private entity to provide services within a correctional facility?

Yes.

24.  Can Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds be used to pay for a residential treatment program in a privately run correctional facility?

Yes. A state or a unit of local government could use RSAT funds to operate a residential substance abuse treatment program in a private correctional facility that houses its inmates. The program must meet all of the RSAT Program requirements and be housed in a correctional facility, and the inmates must be under the public correctional agency’s jurisdiction.

25.  Can Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) grant funds be used to construct a new unit for an RSAT Program?

No. RSAT funds may not be used to construct a new facility or unit. However, existing facilities may be renovated if the renovations are minor and necessary to implement a substance abuse treatment program. Consult your program manager to see if your situation qualifies.

26.  May a state correctional agency use its Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds to pay for drug testing that offenders undergo to comply with the Violent Offender Incarceration and Truth-in-Sentencing (VOI/TIS) drug testing requirements?

No. States are statutorily required to implement or continue to require urinalysis and/or other proven reliable forms of drug and alcohol testing of individuals assigned to the RSAT Program. RSAT funds may not, however, be used to implement drug testing of the general population. The statutory language was changed through the FY 1999 appropriation process to allow states, beginning in FY 1999, to use up to 10 percent of their VOI/TIS Incentive Program award for costs associated with implementing their approved drug testing, sanctions, and treatment policy.

27.  Can Residential Substance Abuse Treatment funds be used to purchase specialized uniforms designed to differentiate this program from the general population or phases within the program?

Yes.

28.  Can a state correctional agency use a portion of Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds to equip a facility that will be set apart from the general population?

Yes. Grant funds may be used to purchase equipment and materials that are necessary to the operation of a drug treatment program and/or to establish a unit that is set apart from the general population. RSAT grant funds may not be used to provide equipment and furnishings that are available and provided to the general offender population. Any planned equipment purchases should be reviewed by BJA prior to implementation.

29.  May Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds be used to pay for an evaluation of an RSAT-funded program?

Yes. You may use a portion of grant funds to evaluate your program. Because the purpose of the funds is to increase the availability of treatment services, the amount of funds used for administrative purposes should be modest and justified.

30.  Could an agency that currently operates a small 30-bed therapeutic community program expand the program to 120 beds and use Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) funds to pay the operating costs of the entire expanded program?

No. RSAT funds could be used for treatment program costs related to the 90 new slots in the expanded program but could not be used to replace agency funds for the operation of an existing program. The agency should continue to pay the costs associated with the original 30-bed program. If the original program’s services are enhanced to meet RSAT Program requirements, then grant funds may be used to pay for those enhancements.

31.  Will states receive the grant money in a lump sum or the normal advance/reimbursement method?

You will receive your grant dollars in the advance/reimbursement method.

32.  How long is the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program’s grant period?

Beginning in FY 2003, the grant awards for each fiscal year will be made for the year of the appropriation plus three, for a total of 4 years. This award period will generally give the state sufficient time to request and review applications and to implement programs with the funds.

A new award will be made annually as funds become available. (The program is authorized for each year through FY 2003.) Therefore, a state may have more than one award active at any one time. This will enable some states with small awards to use funds from two or more fiscal years to implement a single project.

33.  What is the match requirement for the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program?

The RSAT match requirement is 25 percent of the total project cost and may be in cash or in-kind. The federal grant funds can be used to pay up to 75 percent of the costs of a project or project enhancement. The remaining costs must be paid with nonfederal funds. An exception to this is funds received under the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP). Because SCAAP awards partially cover state expenses related to the incarceration of criminal aliens and do not retain their federal properties, they may be used as match funds. Only allowable project costs can be paid with grant and match funds, and match funds cannot be used to pay costs that are not allowable under the grant program.

For more information on match requirements, please go to Part III, Chapter 3 of the Office of the Comptroller (OC) Financial Guide.

F. Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative

1.  Will the funds be provided in a single award or through multiple awards?

Under the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative, the funds will be provided in a single award but may be expended over a period of up to 3 years.

2.  Are state or local matching funds required?

No. This initiative does not have any matching-fund requirements. However, BJA anticipates that grantees will identify sufficient federal, state, and local existing resources to operate and sustain the program and only use the discretionary grant funds for “one-time” items or temporary funding needs.

3.  Are other funding resources available?

Yes, other federal agencies may have funding available for the reentry initiative. For more information, go to www.ojp.usdoj.gov/reentry/engage/html.

4.  What technical assistance is available?

Please visit the Technical Assistance Coordinating Center page of the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative web site to see what technical assistance is available.

For federal, national, state, and local resources, please go to www.ojp.usdoj.gov/reentry/engage.html to obtain additional information.

For upcoming events on reentry, including conferences and training, please go to www.ojp.usdoj.gov/reentry/calendar.html#1.

5.  Are there any publications available that could help me?

Yes. Please go to the Conduct Research Online page of the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative web site. This page lists documents that relate to each phase of the reentry process and, when available, links to the full text.

You also may want to visit the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) at www.ncjrs.org to see if a particular publication interests you.

6.  Do some communities already have reentry programs in place?

Yes. You can see what other communities are doing by visiting the Communities in Action page of the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative web site.

7.  Can funds from the Violent Offender Incarceration and Truth-in-Sentencing (VOI/TIS) Incentive Program and Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) Formula Grant Program be used for the reentry initiative?

Yes. The initial two phases of this initiative—institution-based programs and community-based transition programs—can use both VOI/TIS and RSAT funds for housing and rehabilitation for substance abusers.

8.  Can funding be used for research on treatment outcomes?

Yes. However, select sites will be involved in a national process and impact evaluation. If you decide to fund a separate evaluation with the grant money, you must first ensure that sufficient funds/resources are available for all of the operational components of the program. The evaluation should be secondary to the activities that compose each phase of the program. In addition, a separate evaluation would ideally be compatible with the design of the national evaluation. If all of the preceding criteria are met, a grantee may either conduct the research with in-agency resources or contract the work out to an independent evaluator.

G. State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP)

1.  How do I get my State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) payment?

After the SCAAP application period has closed and the Immigration and Naturalization Service has reviewed all of the data, all payments are calculated using a relational formula. All payments are then released simultaneously. Payments are made electronically only to the state or unit of local government’s general fund, not to accounts established for any submitting agency or department within the governmental unit.

Each applicant will be notified via e-mail when the payment is ready for acceptance. Payments are made through the Grants Management System (GMS). If you have not previously provided the Office of Justice Programs with bank account information, you must submit an Automated Clearing House (ACH) form prior to payment. For a copy of the ACH form or for more information, please contact the Office of the Comptroller Customer Service Center:

Phone: 1-800-458-0786
TTY: 202-616-3867
Fax: 202-353-9279
E-mail: askoc@ojp.usdoj.gov