Amata Welcomes OVW Grant Notice

Congresswoman Amata and Director Faiai

This Sexual Assault Services Formula Program (SAS Formula Program) grant is for services over the next two years, awarded to the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency, led by Director Mariana Timu-Faiai.

"Thank you to Director Mariana Timu-Faiai and her team at the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency for their efforts on important programs and the necessary application work for grants, so that no one goes without these essential services in a time of need," said Aumua Amata.

DOJ is currently funded by Congress through FY 2024 Appropriations, and this longstanding grant program was created by the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (VAWA 2005), 34 U.S.C. § 12511. The Program directs grant dollars to states and territories to assist them in supporting rape crisis centers and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that provide core services, direct intervention, and related assistance to victims of sexual assault, regardless of age.

Funds provided through the SAS Formula Program are designed to supplement other funding sources directed at addressing sexual assault on the state and territorial levels. Rape crisis centers and other nonprofit organizations, such as dual programs providing both domestic violence and sexual assault intervention services, play a vital role in assisting sexual assault victims through the healing process, as well as assisting victims through the medical, criminal justice, and other social support systems.

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