Section 61.9.57. Selection process.

The division shall conduct a preliminary review of each application to ensure that the applicant is eligible, the application is complete, and the proposed victim service, training or technical assistance is consistent with the division’s mission of providing quality assistance to crime victims and crime victim programs throughout the state.

       9.57(1) In selection of competitive grantees, the division may utilize generally accepted methods of grant review including but not limited to checklists, quality scales, written comments by grant review committee members, and formulas based on past funding, population, clients served and available funds.

       9.57(2) In selection of competitive grantees, the division shall establish a grant review committee. The committee shall submit recommendations for grant awards to the director. The director shall submit to the board the recommendations of the grant review committee and any alternative recommendations by the program staff.

        a.           The committee shall be comprised of representatives from the crime victim assistance board and experts in the fields of victim services, grant administration and management, and criminal justice.

        b.           The division shall provide the committee with information related to the applicant’s performance with previous grants, the quality and quantity of services provided, and community support for the applicant.

        c.           The committee shall review the content of the grant applications and information provided by the division and members of the committee regarding the applicant and the geographical area to be served.

       9.57(3) The board shall consider the recommendations of the grant review committee and the director to determine final competitive grant awards to the extent that funds are available and to the extent to which applications meet the RFP criteria. The board may reject any or all applications.

       9.57(4) In selection of grantees for a focus grant, a written proposal shall be solicited from current grantees. Interested grantees shall submit a proposal to the director outlining the purpose, cost, and outcome of the proposed grant. The director shall submit a recommendation to the deputy attorney general for criminal justice who shall make a final decision based on the availability of funds and the merits of the proposal.