COVID-19 Resources for the STOP Formula Grant Program

We at the STAAR Project would like to offer our support to you all during these difficult and unprecedented times. We know that while practicing social distancing is essential for the health and safety of all, it is also stressful and disruptive to our personal lives, work productivity, and planning processes. During all this, the STAAR Project is still here to provide support and technical assistance.

Below are resources that can offer guidance to you and your subgrantees as they find ways to continue working with victims of gender based violence.

OVW Guidance to STOP Grant Administrators and Subgrantees

Additional Flexibilities for the STOP Formula Program- March 27, 2020
Guidance to Award Recipients Impacted by COVID-19: Short-term Relief for Various Administrative, Financial Management, and Audit Requirements- March 26, 2020
FAQs for OVW Grantees Regarding the Payment and Use of Leave for Grant-Funded Staff- March 19, 2020
Match: Local programs are anticipating difficulties achieving match requirements due to lack of volunteers during the outbreak. Will OVW consider match waiver request rationales related to COVID-19-related circumstances?

OVW Answer (from the March 27, 2020 letter from OVW Acting Director Laura Rogers with information on additional flexibilities for the STOP Formula Program): As you know, the STOP Program requires a 25 percent non-federal match (with certain exceptions). States are able to request a waiver of the match based on adequate demonstration of financial need. Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) regulations (28 CFR 90.18(d)) provide detailed information on the documentation needed to demonstrate financial need. OVW has determined that the COVID-19 national emergency has created sufficient financial need for all states and territories. Therefore, for your Fiscal Year (FY) 2018, 2019, and 2020 awards, if your program is in need of a match waiver, please submit a letter, signed by the authorized representative for the STOP Program award, explaining that your state is experiencing financial need as a result of COVID-19 and request a waiver. Please include the amount of waiver you are requesting. This letter will be considered sufficient documentation of need and OVW will waive the amount of match requested.

More information can be found in the STOP FAQs.

Hazard Pay: May STOP subgrantees offer hazard pay to employees when they are working with the public during the COVID-19 public health crisis? Are there any restrictions of which administrators should be aware?

OVW Answer: Hazard pay is subject to the same requirements in 2 C.F.R. § 430 as any other type of compensation. As stated in OVW’s COVID-19 guidance, recipients (and subrecipients) may continue to charge salaries and benefits to their awards consistent with their policy of paying salaries and benefits under unexpected or extraordinary circumstances from all funding sources (Federal and non-Federal). As is the case for all compensation costs charged to an OVW award, any hazard pay must be reasonable, consistent with the recipient or subrecipient’s policy, and applied in the same manner to both federally and non-federally funded staff. In developing and applying their policies on what constitutes a hazard in the context of COVID-19, recipients and subrecipients may look to federal, tribal, state, or local guidelines. Recipients are required to maintain copies of their policies and cost documentation (as required by 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.302, 200.333, and 431(b)(1)) to substantiate the charging of salaries and benefits to their awards.

Confidentiality & Privacy

Privacy When Working at Home- Victim Rights Law Center

Resources on the Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Survivors' Rights and COVID-19

Confidentiality Institute

Technology Safety

How to operate as a remote workplace during a public health crisis

Technology Safety During a Public Health Crisis

Best practices when using mobile devices for advocacy

Digital Services Toolkit

Video Conferencing & Digital Communication Platforms: Comparison Chart

Guidance to Local Programs