Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $350,000)
The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.
The Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence will utilize Congressionally Selected Award funding to develop, expand, and enhance its network of pro bono counsel and volunteer attorneys tasked with providing civil legal services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, rape/sexual assault, stalking, and elder abuse, particularly to the underserved populations within Nassau County. This population includes the Latino and Southeast Asian communities and victims with limited English proficiency. Grant funds will support a project coordinator and resource associate who will recruit and train the pro bono counsel and volunteer attorneys, providing them with the proficiency to work with identified victims in multiple issues of law in order to increase victims' safety, address safety and legal needs, and protect the victims' families from the physical and psychological harms posed by the abusers.
NCA/NCF