The legal assistance for victims (LAV) grant program, authorized by authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20121, is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively…

This $400,000 project grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) under the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program (CFDA 16.524) will enable Esperanza United to establish a new legal assistance program. This initiative aims to increase the availability and accessibility of legal information, assistance, and representation for Latina survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in family court matters in Dakota County, Minnesota. The project will also build the capacity of legal and non-legal staff to work collaboratively and ethically in support of these clients. Key activities include providing comprehensive direct legal services, strengthening coordination between legal and victim service providers, and addressing barriers faced by underserved Latina populations. This 2-year project commences on October 1, 2023.

The legal assistance for victims (LAV) grant program, authorized by authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20121, is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid adult and youth (ages 11 to 24) victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault, by providing funds for comprehensive direct legal services to victims in legal matters relating to or arising out of that abuse or violence. Legal assistance is assistance in: a) divorce, parental rights, child support, tribal, territorial, immigration, employment, administrative agency, housing, campus, education, healthcare, privacy, contract, consumer, civil rights, protection or other injunctive proceedings, related enforcement proceedings, and other similar matters; B) criminal justice investigations, prosecutions, and post-conviction matters (including sentencing, parole, and probation) that impact the victims safety, privacy, or other interests as a victim; C) alternative dispute resolution, restorative practices, or other processes intended to promote victim safety, privacy, and autonomy, and offender accountability, regardless of court involvement; or D) post-conviction relief proceedings in state, local, tribal, or territorial court, with respect to a conviction of a victim relating to or arising from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or SEX trafficking victimization of the victim. The LAV grant programs expanding legal services initiative (ELSI) is intended to enable eligible organizations that do not currently offer legal services to establish a program that provides legal representation to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Through this new legal assistance for victims expanding legal services project, casa DE esperanza (DBA esperanza united) will establish a program to increase the availability and accessibility of legal information, assistance, and representation for latina survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in family court matters and increase the capacity of legal and non-legal staff to work collaboratively and ethically in support of clients in dakota county, minnesota. The project will address the following priority areas: 1) priority area 1: advancing racial equity and 2) priority area 2: underserved communities.