DVAF

Fund Purpose
Due to the number of Harris County residents who have been affected by and are survivors of domestic violence, Harris County has determined that providing flexible financial assistance under the Harris County Domestic Violence Assistance Fund, to aid residents of Harris County, Texas who are survivors of domestic violence will further the objectives of the County, benefit the County and its residents, and serve the broader purpose of protecting the health, safety, and economic welfare of Harris County, Texas.

The County has determined that the services provided are an eligible use of funds under the Texas Family Code and the Local Government Code due to the relief being provided to adults, children, and residents of the County who are unable to support themselves. The County has also determined that the services provided for in this Agreement serve a public purpose and are a necessary expenditure.

The program will provide funding assistance to approximately 3,800 households and 6,650 individuals. The Flexible Financial Assistance helps survivors cover basic needs as well as assistance with housing, transportation, childcare, utilities, and other expenses as they seek stability.

Qualifying Expense

• Housing costs, including rental and utility assistance, temporary hotel stays, and gap rental assistance
• Furniture, mattresses, and moving assistance
• Childcare and children’s needs, diapers, wipes, formula, and school supplies
• Behavioral Health Assistance
• Food assistance, including the need for transportation to pick up food and supplies
• Transportation assistance (e.g., vehicle maintenance, bus / rail fare, overdue auto loan payments) also gas cards, uber cards, metro cards
• Car repairs, lapsed insurance costs, license and registration
• Legal Assistance
• Medications and healthcare costs
• Assistance with daily living needs to families and any assistance that increases access to safety: Hygiene supplies, washing clothes, masks, sanitizer, phone & internet assistance (maintaining cost of phone bills or new phones to families who are fleeing and need a new safe number – internet accessibility for families)
• Agency transportation and Staff Mileage
• Program Staff
• Other uses deemed necessary and appropriate by HCDVCC to assist domestic violence survivors who are suffering adverse effects due to the COVID- 19 pandemic

Program Allocation: The total sum allocated to fund this Program is $3,128,000, from which allocations of assistance will be made to qualifying agencies that apply based on the terms and conditions.

Basic Terms: Selected Qualifying Agencies will receive financial assistance through the Program, but in no event will any one agency receive more than $350,000.00. Contracting agencies may provide assistance to victims of domestic violence and their immediate family through addressing any or a combination of the needs listed above, each being referred to herein as a “Qualifying Expense”.

Qualifying Agencies
HCDVCC will perform outreach to potentially qualifying agencies and manage an associated Request for Quotation (RFQ) process. RFQ components shall include, but are not limited to:

• Basic organizational information
• Organizational background; history of serving the residents of Harris County
• Organizational resources; profiles of key staff
• Narrative of need and identification of increased need related to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Description of approach to administering the grant
• Description of capacity to assist non-English speaking County residents seeking relief under the Program
• Expected impact, including details of how many people will be served, forecasted demographics, target geography
• Proposed budget for use of funds, detailing specific areas of use
• Proof of 501(c)(3) status
• Current financial statements and annual audit, if available
• Proof of insurance in the types and amounts required by the County
• Must demonstrate non-discrimination in the provision of services based on race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin or ancestry, immigration status, marital status, veteran status or status as a qualified disabled or handicapped individual
• Commits that services cannot be conditional on clients participating in religious activities and/or in-depth education/counseling services (e.g., financial/housing counseling).
• Direct relevant staff to attend mandatory start-up meeting
• Certify and maintain client documents to verify eligibility requirements

Agency Considerations

• Selected qualifying agencies will receive financial assistance through the Program, but in no event will any agency receive more than $350,000. Funds may be awarded in the full or partial amount of the request at the determination of HCDVCC based on reasonableness of request.
• Up to 10% of funds awarded may be used for administrative costs and organizational capacity building if developments will have a benefit to current and future domestic violence survivors being serviced by the organization.
• Agencies may apply for additional funding for case management or other expenses necessary to effectively distribute assistance and support survivors. If additional costs are anticipated beyond 10% to administer the funds, agencies should include a request and detailed explanation in their application.
• All agencies will be required to submit monthly invoices to be reimbursed by HCDVCC within 30 days.
• HCDVCC will require each selected agency to use reasonable and non- discriminatory processes to adequately assess the needs of each victim recipient seeking assistance.
• HCDVCC will prohibit each selected agency from discriminatorily refusing services to any potential victim in violation of any federal, state or local statute, rule or law protecting individuals from discrimination in the distribution of public services, in addition to not refusing service or discriminating against any victim or alleged victim on the basis of his or her residency within Harris County.
• HCDVCC will require agencies to obtain certification from victims including any members of victim’s household, that they have not received other COVID-19 related assistance, including assistance through the Harris County CSD COVID-19 Response Emergency Assistance Program (CREAP), the Harris County COVID-19 Relief Fund, the Harris County COVID- 19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, the Harris County COVID-19 Emergency Direct Assistance Program or through this Program.

For nonprofit partners who are proposing to provide Flexible Emergency Financial Assistance, we offer the following strong guidance:

– We recommend a maximum amount of $500 per household (total)

– We are flexible in the method of financial transfer including, but not limited to:

– Use of gift cards to particular stores for COVID-19 related basic needs

– Use of debit cards or generic gift cards

– Electronic Cash Transfers directly to clients

– Direct payment to vendors on behalf of clients

For nonprofit partners who are proposing to provide Housing Emergency Financial Assistance, we offer the following strong guidance:

– We recommend a range amount of between $800 and $1,200 per household for up to 2-months of emergency rental assistance (total)

We know that COVID-19 Recovery Funds will not be able to cover the full cost of services and solutions, in particular for holistic investments in disproportionately impacted communities.

Reporting and Evaluation Requirements

Each approved agency must sign a Grant Agreement to include monthly reporting requirements:

• Cumulative funds spent
• Funds disbursed by each qualifying expense category listed above
• Survivors of domestic violence assisted
• Number of High-Risk Team survivors provided with safety and protective tools
• Milestone Statuses and Project Plan updates
• Monthly Narrative describing progress, challenges & risks, opportunities, and next steps
• Granular Program Data, including beneficiary distribution by geography and demographic characteristics
• Participation in the Center for Violence Prevention Evaluation

Documents for Submission:

• Current proof of 501(c) 3 status
• Current agency operating budget
• Program Budget for use of Covid funds and in what areas:
• Food Assistance (# of clients – amount of request)
• Financial Assistance (# of clients – amount of request)
• Rental Assistance (# of clients – amount of request)
• List of Agency Board Members and Profiles of Key Staff
• Proof of insurance to be provided within 10 days of award notification, including proof of Fidelity Bond.
• Copy of most recent audited financial statements (if available)
• Narrative (see below)

One Page NARRATIVE:

• Describe how agency will select and serve recipients of funding (including forecasted demographics and target geography) and other use of financial support
• Describe how agency is trauma informed and committed to non-discriminatory practices
• Describe how agency serves underserved and/or undocumented population of Domestic Violence Survivors
• Describe scope of service/output projections and budget reflecting grant amount

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT
HAS PASSED