Grant Program Description
DESCRIPTION OF GRANT PROGRAM
OFFICIAL COMPILATION OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS
OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
I. Name of Grant Program: Legal Assistance to Families Victimized by Domestic Violence Project (Short name: Legal Assistance Project).
II. Legal Authority: O.C.G.A. §15-5-24 and Supreme Court of Georgia Order of January 15, 1981 relating to the duties of the Administrative Office of the Courts.
III. Definition: This is a statewide project designed to provide civil legal services to all persons, adults, and children, victimized by or under the direct threat of domestic violence.
IV. Scope: Domestic violence is endemic throughout the nation and in Georgia. Up to 49,946 instances occurred in 2002. Domestic Violence shelters refer more than 10,000 victims of domestic violence to legal service agencies each year. Other legal resources are inadequate to meet the serious needs of these families. This project provides a framework under which Georgia’s non-profit legal services programs can serve approximately 4,000 victims of domestic violence per year.
V. Purpose: The purpose of this program is to provide legal assistance to persons victimized or threatened by domestic violence with related legal programs. Such legal assistance helps with immediate needs through protective orders or orders for custody and child support, and also includes legal assistance with such issues as access to credit and bank accounts, housing, public benefits, employment and other consumer and financial problems that must be resolved to achieve safety, stability and economic security.
A. Eligible Services
This project focuses on providing services in three major areas of need by:
1. Providing legal services related to child custody and family support;
2. Providing legal services related to the family’s economic security and stability, including housing issues, job related problems, problems with access to education, and health care;
3. Providing training for volunteer attorneys and other professionals on legal issues faced by victims of domestic violence.
B. Excluded Services
Certain services are specifically excluded from this program. Excluded services are:
1. Class action suits;
2. Criminal defense;
3. Deportation proceedings;
4. Divorce proceedings;
5. Initial Temporary Protective Orders;
6. Matters to be adjudicated in courts outside of Georgia; or
7. Other client-initiated proceedings not related to the safety, stability,
or economic security of the victim or the victim’s family.
C. Eligible Clients
Victims or persons under the threat of domestic violence who have no
reasonable access to resources that may be used for legal services are
eligible. Evidence of violence or the threat of violence shall be reasonably
demonstrated, but may also be shown by the following:
1. A protective order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction;
2. A referral from domestic violence programs and programs for children
and the elderly; or,
3. A warrant or police report indicating an incident involving domestic
violence.
D. Eligible Grantees
1. Eligible grantees for these funds are non-profit corporations registered
and in good standing with the State of Georgia with at least two years
experience providing civil legal services in the State.
2. Recipients must also demonstrate that they have the personnel and
the expertise necessary to deliver the services required, that their
service delivery structure can adequately provide coverage throughout
the geographical area for which the services are proposed, and that
they have sufficient administrative record keeping capabilities to fulfill
reporting requirements necessary for the evaluation of these projects.
3. Community partnerships are critical to achieving success with this
program. The applicants must show community support and the support
and cooperation of local domestic violence programs. Letters of support
or other evidence establishing this relationship should accompany applications.
VI. General Terms and Conditions: Grants will be awarded for a one-year
term. Each of Georgia’s forty-nine circuits will be included.
The amount available for distribution to grantees may change each year
based on the amount appropriated to the Administrative Office of the
Courts/Judicial Council and the cost of the administrative oversight
of these funds. The grant awards are generally announced in July.
VII. Criteria for the Award of Grants: The total poverty population
resident in each county served by the grant recipient will be considered.
This number is based on the most current estimates from the U. S. Census
Bureau. In no event shall Grantee provide free legal services to a client
whose income exceeds 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
VIII. Directions and Deadlines for Application: Applications for
grant funds must be mailed to the Administrative Office of the Courts,
Cynthia Hinrichs Clanton, General Counsel, 244 Washington Street, Suite
300, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. The application deadline is May 15.
Comments may be submitted to the Administrative Office of the Courts,
attention Cynthia Hinrichs Clanton, 404-656-6692, clantonc@gaaoc.us.