Project Grant 15JOVW23GG02587ICJR

IMPROVING CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING GRANT PROGRAM IS AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 10461-10465 AND IMPLEMENTED THROUGH REGULATIONS AT 28 C.F.R. PART 90, SUBPART D. THE PROGRAM FOSTERS VICTIM SAFETY AND OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY IN CASES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING BY ENCOURAGING STATE, LOCAL, AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS AND COURTS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS AND SHARE IDEAS THAT WILL RESULT IN EFFECTIVELY RESPONDING TO THESE CRIMES. AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT OF THIS PROGRAM IS THE DEVELOPMENT, REVITALIZATION, OR ENHANCEMENT OF A COORDINATED COMMUNITY RESPONSE THAT BRINGS TOGETHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES, VICTIM SERVICES PROVIDERS, AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT RESPOND TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING. THE GRANTEE, IN COLLABORATION WITH ITS PROJECT PARTNERS, WILL USE THIS ICJR AWARD TO IMPROVE THEIR JURISDICTIONS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING BY IMPLEMENTING ACTIVITIES THAT FOCUS ON VICTIM SAFETY AND OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY AND CREATE SUSTAINABLE PROJECT ACTIVITIES. THE PROJECT WILL: 1) IDENTIFY A PROJECT COORDINATOR TO LEAD THE PROJECT AND ANY ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE COORDINATED COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAM; 2) COMPLETE COMMUNITY ASSESSMENTS TO INFORM THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGIC PLAN; 3) IDENTIFY EVIDENCE-INFORMED PRACTICES OR TOOLS THAT MAY BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE AGENCY AND COMMUNITY LEVEL; 4) PARTICIPATE IN MANDATED OVW TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING UTILIZING OVW CULTURALLY SPECIFIC AND UNDERSERVED TTA PROVIDERS THROUGH THIS NEW GRANTS TO IMPROVE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSE PROJECT, PROGRAM FOR AID TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT INC., IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF DULUTH, MN AND THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WILL IMPLEMENT A PROJECT ADDRESSING THE FOLLOWING PURPOSE AREA 17 FOR ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MN AND DOUGLAS COUNTY, WI. THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS PRIORITY AREA 3. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE: 1) COMPLETING HIGH-QUALITY, TRAUMA-INFORMED, VICTIM-CENTERED FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS FOR EACH REQUEST FOR FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMS AT FOUR AREA HOSPITALS; 2) FACILITATE VICTIM-SURVIVORS' OPTIONS TO EITHER REPORT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR RESTRICT EVIDENCE FOR STORAGE AND REGISTER SEXUAL ASSAULT KITS IN TRACK-KIT; 3) PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH TIMELY ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION REPORTS; 4) PROVIDE EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY AT TRIAL; 5) RECRUIT REGISTERED NURSES THROUGH COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND PROMOTE THE 41 HOUR INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FORENSIC NURSES SANE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES; 6) INCREASE TEAM ROSTER FROM 11 TO 14 NURSES AND INITIATE AN ANNUAL HIRING CYCLE TO MAINTAIN A TEAM OF 14 NURSES; AND 7) PARTICIPATE IN AREA MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS AS APPROPRIATE TO THE PROJECT AND PROMOTE THE FORENSIC NURSING PROFESSION AT THE LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES THAT TRAIN MEDICAL STUDENTS AND NURSES.