Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2010, $200,000)
The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), 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 recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, 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 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.
Funding under this award will allow the Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund to continue operations of the Tulane Domestic Violence Clinic, a clinic that provides holistic services to victims of domestic violence and fills important gaps in the existing legal services in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes of Louisiana. This funding will allow the clinic to address remaining gaps in existing legal services for victims of domestic violence. These include: (1) the underenforcement of court orders for victims, (2) lack of representation in complex child custody cases, and (3) lack of a continuity of services for victims with multiple legal issues. The clinic proposes specific solutions to address those issues, using a combination of legal services, technical training, community collaboration, and creation of an alumni network of attorneys, a resource guide, and a protective order kit. Additionally, funding will be used to continue working with the District Attorney's Office, the police department and the Family Justice Center to increase the benefits from the recent transitions in arrest and prosecution policies regarding domestic violence by providing regular and meaningful technical assistance and training to local domestic violence service providers.
NCA/NCF