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If you are unsure which training option best fits your organization's training needs, please call 1–866–682–8822 and ask to speak with an OVC TTAC TTA Specialist.

You can also email OVC TTAC at TTAC@ovcttac.org to schedule a phone call to discuss your interest in training and technical assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Training and Technical Assistance.

Application

Who is eligible to apply?

Victim service providers, criminal justice professionals, and allied professionals (e.g., mental health, medical, clergy) who work in community or state agencies, nonprofits, tribal organizations, and other institutions that serve victims of crime may apply for Speaker Support.

Note: Federal agencies can contact OVC if they are interested in bringing trainings to their agencies.

If my organization already received OVC funding for training and technical assistance within the last 12 months, can I apply again?

Yes. You can apply for capacity building assistance if your organization successfully implemented the previous assistance. Please note, OVC's resources are limited, and OVC may not be able to support technical assistance requests that do not build capacity more than once per year.

I am an OVC discretionary grantee, can I still apply for OVC TTAC assistance?

Yes. OVC TTAC will contact your OVC grant monitor to determine if you are eligible for support. OVC may also contact your grant monitor if your funding was awarded by another federal agency addressing victims' issues.

How will I know that OVC TTAC received my application?

Upon the receipt of your application, OVC TTAC sends a confirmation notice via email within 48 hours. If you did not provide an email address, OVC TTAC will fax the confirmation notice. If you do not receive a confirmation in the specified timeframe, please contact OVC TTAC immediately by calling 1–866–682–8822.

What happens after I submit my application?

OVC TTAC assigns your application to a TTA specialist for processing. The TTA specialist will contact you to conduct a needs assessment and will work with you to explore your needs and identify the qualified and available consultant/s to fulfill your request. The TTA specialist will compile all relevant and required information and documentation regarding your application and send it to OVC. OVC will review the application materials and make a funding decision. Once OVC makes a decision, your TTA specialist will contact you with the application outcome.

Does OVC TTAC make the decision regarding approval or denial, level of funding, and consultant selection?

No. OVC and the U.S. Department of Justice make all final decisions regarding every aspect of an application. OVC TTAC delivers and supports training and technical assistance for the victim services field on behalf of the Office for Victims of Crime.

What are OVC's criteria for evaluating applications?

OVC reviews and makes funding decisions on applications. Key criteria for evaluating applications include the following:

  • The organization applying for assistance is an established public or private nonprofit organization with an existing track record of providing services to victims of crime.
  • The support will effectively address the needs of victims in the community or geographic region served by the organization.
  • The requested assistance is not provided by another federal organization, including via an ongoing or recent grant.
  • The requested assistance falls within the mission and funding priorities identified by OVC.
  • OVC has not provided training and technical assistance support to the applicant in the past 12 months.
  • The organization applying for assistance will contribute resources or funds toward the delivery of the requested assistance.

How long does it take for OVC and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to make a final decision regarding an application?

In general, OVC and DOJ make a final decision within 2-3 weeks of OVC TTAC's submission of the final and complete application file for OVC and DOJ review. The file will reflect the needs assessment, intake process, and the confirmed technical assistance scope and content.

If my application is approved, how are the consultants (and onsite coordinator, if applicable) fees and travel expenses handled?

OVC TTAC will contract directly with the consultant and work with the onsite coordinator for all expenses (e.g., lodging, consulting fees, airfare, M&IE). These established fees may not be used to subsidize additional funding already anticipated or allocated for support of assigned consultants.

Note: OVC TTAC will not release any funds to the approved organization to cover the costs.

If my application is approved, what are my organization's responsibilities to OVC TTAC?

Your organization will be responsible for:

  • Keeping your TTA specialist informed of any changes with your technical assistance (e.g., event date, workshop/training content, workshop time or duration, cancellation, postponement).
  • Working with the assigned consultant(s) to ensure successful implementation of the assistance.
  • Completing a feedback form and returning it to OVC TTAC within 2 weeks following the event.

Please note: Failure to notify OVC TTAC of any changes or use of any promotional materials in advance may void the OVC approval for part or all of the requested support. Once approved, you may create and disseminate promotional materials. Also, please note that OVC/OVC TTAC logos may not be used in any event promotional materials.

Consultants and Speakers

Do I need to find a speaker or consultant or will OVC TTAC find speakers and consultants for me?

The OVC Consultant Network includes skilled subject matter experts and experienced trainers who are enrolled as consultants and deliver training and technical assistance requested by the field. Upon receipt of your application, an OVC TTAC TTA specialist will match your organization's needs with enrolled consultants who are qualified in your requested topic area/s. Some requesters identify specific consultants in their applications. Please be aware that if your organization requests a non-enrolled speaker/trainer, he/she will be expected to provide complete and timely information to the TTA specialist and will have to meet criteria applicable to all consultants with regard to assignment approvals.

Also, note that OVC makes all final decisions regarding applications, including the consultants assigned to complete the technical assistance. Thus, OVC may select a consultant other than the one requested (enrolled or not) in the application.

Is there a limit on the number of consultants I can request?

Yes. Depending on the scope, complexity, and available resources, a maximum of two consultants per Customized TA application may be assigned.

If an OVC consultant referred me to OVC TTAC, does that mean he or she will be assigned to provide the technical assistance?

No. While OVC takes into consideration specific consultant recommendations from the requester, it is ultimately OVC's decision who is assigned to provide the technical assistance. OVC assigns consultants based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, expertise and experience on the requested topic, familiarity, and cultural competency with the region and/or population, and travel costs.

Are there restrictions I should know about when it comes to the use of trainers/speakers from the OVC Consultant Network?

Yes, consultant fees are based on an OVC-established rate structure for training, technical assistance, and other approved work assignments. These established fees may not be used to subsidize additional funding already anticipated or allocated for support of assigned consultants.

Note: This rate structure and related restrictions equally apply to non-enrolled trainers/speakers identified by an applying organization and approved for delivery of their requested technical assistance.

  • Speaker/consultant fees are based on an OVC-established rate structure for training, technical assistance, and other approved work assignments through OVC TTAC. These fees may not be used to subsidize additional funding already anticipated or allocated for support of OVC-funded speakers/consultants.
  • OVC TTAC consultants are federally prohibited from providing training or technical assistance that may be used to participate in, support, or advocate for the legalization or practice of prostitution.

Customized Training, Technical Assistance, and Speaker Support

Why are Customized TTA and Speaker Support applications due at least 90 days prior to the start date?

Customized TTA and Speaker Support applications are due at least 90 days prior to the start date to (1) ensure that OVC TTAC has enough time to process your request, (2) ensure that OVC has enough time to review the application and make a funding decision, and (3) complete the U.S. Department of Justice mandatory pre-approval. OVC TTAC must receive your complete and accurate application at least 90 days prior to your desired technical assistance date — NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please note: Start dates are subject to change based on the results of the needs assessment. Requesters must provide all required information and supporting documentation within allotted deadlines, or they may have their applications denied due to incompleteness.

To ensure that your application is complete and accurate, you are strongly encouraged to seek OVC TTAC assistance by calling 1–866–682–8822 prior to submission.

What topics can be requested?

OVC TTAC provides trainings on an array of topics relevant to the field of victim services. All training is intended to assist requesting organizations in improving direct services to victims of crime. Trainings can be a half-day, several days, or a short series of training sessions. The topic and elements of the request will determine the length and format of the training. Some recent examples of trainings include:

  • Providing Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Victim Services
  • Planning for Sustainability and Diversifying Funding
  • Working With LGBTQ+ Survivors
  • The Impact of Traumatic Grief on Friends and Family Members
  • The Roles of Historical Trauma and Cultural Humility on Court Appointed Services for Child Victims
  • Overcoming Barriers to Collaboration
  • Please call 1-866-682-8822 to speak with a OVC TTAC TTA specialist to discuss your interest in training for your organization or region.

    What is capacity building?

    Capacity building refers to the process of identifying the internal and external barriers that inhibit victim services organizations, allied professionals, or individual providers from delivering effective services to all crime victims, and building on existing strengths, enhancing skills, and providing new tools to overcome those barriers. TTA specialists will conduct a thorough needs assessment to maximize the use of OVC's resources to build capacity.

    Got Questions?

    Phone: 1–866–OVC–TTAC
    (1–866–682–8822)
    TTY: 1–866–682–8880
    Email: ttac@ovcttac.org