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, Department of Justice, awarded $400,000 to Massachusetts Alliance Of Portuguese Speakers, Inc. (doing business as MAPS) on August 1, 2026, under the Culturally and Linguistically Specific Services Program (CFDA 16.016). The award supports delivery of crisis intervention, case management, advocacy, and short- and long-term individual and group support services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who face obstacles to accessing traditional services. MAPS will connect victims to medical, criminal justice, and social support systems and provide navigation advocacy. The period of performance runs through July 31, 2029, with work performed in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The program funds community-based organizations providing culturally specific services or those partnering with organizations holding demonstrated expertise in serving this victim population.

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 program's statutory purpose areas. The project will connect victims to medical, criminal justice, and social support systems and provide them with advocacy for navigating those systems; crisis intervention; short- and long-term individual and group support services; and case management.