(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) today released two requests for proposals for federal grants intended to combat violence against women and prevent crime overall.

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) programs provide funding to victim services providers and law enforcement, prosecution, court, and correction agencies throughout Ohio.

“Federal funding through these long-standing programs is critical toward implementing violence and crime prevention strategies throughout Ohio,” said OCJS Executive Director Nicole Dehner.

The VAWA program assists local governments and non-profit community-based organizations in administering justice for and strengthening services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. VAWA funds contribute toward developing effective responses to violence against women through activities that include direct services, crisis intervention, transitional housing, legal assistance to victims, court improvement, and training for law enforcement and courts.

The JAG program supports local and state agencies in preventing and controlling crime based on the needs and conditions of the jurisdictions. Projects support drug task forces, school resource officers, drug, veteran and mental health courts, correction projects, and justice technology initiatives. JAG funds are designed as seed money to establish new and promising programs that improve the criminal justice system.