Civil Legal Service for Victims of Domestic Violence

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.

Tulane University will use the FY 2009 Congressionally Selected Award to continue the Domestic Violence Clinic's efforts to provide civil legal services to victims of domestic violence. The Clinic is an innovative, interdisciplinary program with an established record of providing holistic services to survivors of domestic violence and filling important gaps in the existing legal services in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes of Louisiana. Grant funds will allow the Clinic to continue to address the following gaps in existing legal services for survivors: the under-enforcement of court orders for victims; the lack of representation in complex child custody cases; the under-enforcement of representation on community property issues; and the under-enforcement of continuity of services for victims with multiple legal issues. The Clinic will address the identified issues through a combination of legal services, technical training, community collaboration, and the creation of a pro bono network of community property lawyers. Grant funds will be used to hire a full-time Clinic Fellow to recruit and train a pro bono network of attorneys to do domestic violence work, particularly the community property partitions not currently available from existing legal services. The Clinic Fellow will provide community outreach and offer training and education to residents, professionals, groups, and organizations in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. Grant funds will also be used for supplies, travel expenses, and other costs necessary for the implementation of the proposed project.

NCA/NCF