The grants to enhance culturally specific services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20124

The Office on Violence Against Women awarded $400,000 to Ethnic Minorities Of Burma Advocacy And Resource Center Of Iowa, Inc. (EMBARC) on August 1, 2026, under the Culturally and Linguistically Specific Services Program (CFDA 16.016).

The award funds case management, counseling, and community education services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking within EMBARC's service population. EMBARC delivers these services from Beaverdale, Iowa with a focus on refugee communities from Burma, providing culturally and linguistically competent victim support including personal advocacy, individual and group counseling, information and referral services, crime victim compensation application assistance, housing advocacy, and transportation support.

The period of performance runs from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2029. The program supports maintenance and replication of existing community-based programs providing culturally specific services to underserved victims, as well as development of innovative strategies to enhance access to services and resources for victims who face obstacles to traditional programs.

This program supports the maintenance and replication of existing successful community-based programs providing culturally specific services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as the development of innovative culturally specific strategies to enhance access to services and resources for victims who face obstacles to using more traditional programs. Projects must address at least one of the programs statutory purpose areas. This project will support case management, counseling, and community education consistentwith the program's statute.