Division of Victim Services, Office of the Attorney General

Chapter 4

  Section 1. Administration of the Victim Services Grants.

  (a) The Division of Victim Services of the Wyoming Attorney General's Office shall administer victim services grants, Wyo. Stat. § 9-1-638(a)(i). This chapter does not apply to the administration of funds allocated to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Shelter Service Providers through the funding formula set forth in Chapter 7 and governed by Chapters 8 and 9 of these Rules or funds for Victim Assistance Services Providers governed by Wyo. Stat. § 1-40-118(g) and Chapters 10 and 11 of these Rules.

  (b) All questions, comments, requests for information, or applications for grant funds shall be directed to the Division of Victim Services.

  (c) Requests should be made to the Director of the Division of Victim Services.

  Section 2. Definitions.

  (a) "Applicant" means a public or private agency that shall include, but not be limited to, victim assistance programs, family violence/sexual assault programs, law enforcement or prosecutor offices that make a request for funds from the victim services grant program.

  (b) "Application" means a request that complies with federal and state requirements for any funds administered by the Division for the provision of services to crime victims not allocated through the funding formula set forth in Chapter 7 of these Rules and not governed by the provisions of Chapters 8 and 9 of these Rules.

  (c) "Division" means the Division of Victim Services.

  (d) "Director" means the director of the Division of Victim Services.

  (e) "Grant" means a victim service grant award.

  (f) "Grantee" means the Wyoming Division of Victim Services, when it administers a grant from a federal or state agency.

  (g) "Program" means a victim services grant program.

  (h) "RFP" means request for proposals.

  (i) "Subgrantee" means any applicant receiving grant funds from this program.

  (j) "Victim" means a crime victim as defined by Wyoming law.

  Section 3. Program Description.

  Any eligible public or nonprofit agency or combination thereof may apply for and receive a grant through the program. The program shall operate as a competitive and noncompetitive grant program and be administered by the Division. Contractual agreements specifying the terms of the grant award shall be executed between the Division and approved applicants.

  Section 4. Availability of Grants.

  In any year in which federal or state funds are available, the Division shall administer grants to eligible applicants. The amount of the funds awarded shall be contingent upon the funds available. The Director shall announce the opening of an application period through public notice. Applications must be submitted by the designated due date.

  Section 5. Grant Application Requirements.

  (a) Applicants shall submit applications to the Division of Victim Services. Applications shall be in the form prescribed by the Division and shall be made available upon request to all interested parties.

  (b) In order to be included in the review process, the application shall be received by the Division by 5:00 pm on the due date, as noted in the RFP. Applications may be delivered to the Division during regular business hours anytime prior to the deadline.

  Section 6. Contents of Application.

  (a) Each application shall contain all the information, signed assurances and support documentation as outlined in the grant request for proposal application.

  (b) Eligibility Requirements. Funds must be used only to provide or improve services to victims of crime. Program grants cannot be used to supplant other available or mandated funds. An applicant must meet the following requirements:

    (i) Be operated by a public agency or nonprofit organization or combination there of, that provides services or allied resources to crime victims. These services may include but are not limited to crisis intervention services, law enforcement and court advocacy, group and individual counseling, and information and referral services.

    (ii) An existing program must be able to document results of prior programming that demonstrates the needs of victims have been met effectively and the applicant has financial support from other sources.

    (iii) Comply with applicable federal and state statutes or rules, any requirements specified in the grant between the Division and any other contractual document.

    (iv) Assist victims in seeking state compensation benefits.

    (v) Provide services within the geographic service area without regard to a victim's ability to pay.

    (vi) In order to be eligible for continued funding as victim assistance programs must meet the following criteria:

      (A) Compliance with the Standards for the Operation of Victim Assistance Programs.

      (B) The Division has not received any complaints against the program which have not been resolved.

  (c) Notification of Applicants. Applicants shall be notified within 60 working days after the application due date whether their application has been denied or the Division is interested in negotiating a contract regarding the proposal.

  Section 7. Contract Agreement.

  (a) A contract shall be negotiated by the Division and the applicant.

  (b) The Division may require modification of the proposed program, submission of further information or documents, or other contingency on the part of the applicant prior to entering into a contract. The required modifications, information, document or contingency shall be specified in the notification of grant award.

  (c) The Division may request a modification of the program budget to reflect the amount, expenses and activities allowed by the grant award.

  (d) Funds shall be spent to meet the program goals as provided in the contract.

  (e) The subgrantee shall sign the certified assurances for the grant program at the time of contracting with the Division and at anytime requested by the Division.

  (f) The Division may request an audit of a program, at the expense of the program, as necessary for assessment of allegations of fund misappropriations or other criminal conduct.

  (g) Nothing in these rules shall be construed as limiting the remedies available to the state or the program for improper use of grant funds or other breach of the subgrantee's duties under the contract and applicable law.

  (h) Performance Reports . Performance reports shall be submitted to the Division from all subgrantees. Failure to submit reports by the due date shall result in suspension of financial payments to the subgrantee by the grantee until such time as the report is received. Delinquent or inadequate reports from prior grants may detrimentally influence the award of grants the following year.

  (i) Termination. Contracts may be terminated for any of the following reasons:

    (i) Termination by subgrantee at any time during the contract period by providing notice to the Division.

    (ii) The Division may terminate a contract upon a ten-day notice when the subgrantee or any of its subcontractors fail to comply with the grant award stipulations, standards or conditions. The Division may terminate a contract when there is a reduction of funds.

    (iii) Termination for cause. If a subgrantee fails to fulfill its obligations under the agreement properly or on time, or otherwise violates any provision of the agreement, the Division may terminate the contract by written notice to the subgrantee. The notice shall specify the acts or omissions relied on as cause for termination. All finished or unfinished products or services provided by the subgrantee shall, at the option of the Division become the state's property. The Division shall pay the performance prior to receipt of notice of termination minus any funds owing to the division, e.g. damages for breach, improperly spent funds.

  (j) Records. Subgrantees shall keep statistical records of services provided and any other records as required by the Division. The Division shall have immediate access to records pertaining to the contract during working hours. No notice need be provided the subgrantee prior to inspection of the records.