Project Grant 15JOVW25GG00496LEGA

Montana Legal Services Association received a $750,000 Project Grant from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) under the Legal Assistance for Victims program (CFDA 16.524), effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2028. The award funds comprehensive civil and criminal legal services for victims ages 11 and older who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in Southeastern Montana, including the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Reservations. Services encompass representation in family law, tribal court, immigration, employment, housing, and protection order proceedings; criminal justice advocacy including assistance with investigations, prosecutions, sentencing, and post-conviction relief; and alternative dispute resolution and restorative practices that prioritize victim safety and autonomy.

The project is delivered through a collaborative partnership with YWCA Billings, Northern Lights Family Justice Center, Northern Cheyenne Tribal Courts, and Crow Tribal Courts. This partnership structure addresses statutory priorities to improve legal service availability for sexual assault survivors and tribal populations, ensuring vulnerable populations in rural and tribal jurisdictions have access to trauma-informed legal advocacy. The award directly supports OVW's goal of increasing the availability of legal services to underserved abuse and violence victims across the three-year grant period.