VAWA Formula new Grantee Orientation

January 19, 2023 | Category: VAWA Resources

By now, I feel confident that each of you has seen the below email from Amy Loder.

Some VAWA Administrators shared with me that they did not receive it directly from OVW/Amy.  I reached out to Amy regarding this and she indicated that if you did not receive her communication directly, then you are not in JustGrants (JG).

She encouraged you to talk with the individual in your office responsible for assigning roles in JG and request that you are assigned a role.

Here’s Amy’s email again:

Happy New Year!

The Formula New Grantee Orientation (NGO) is quickly approaching. It will take place February 21 – March 9, 2023 via zoom. We developed the agenda to limit the amount of screen time each day. Additionally, we scheduled sessions to allow for maximum participation across all time zones, including the U.S. pacific territories. We realize some sessions will result in a later-than-normal workday for participants on the east coast, but it is essential that all NGO participants have an opportunity to attend sessions and ask questions in real time. We hope that having the agenda well in advance of the meeting will allow participants to plan accordingly. Please take a few moments to review the agenda. I believe there are several sessions that are of interest to all Administrators and Coalition Directors, such as the VAWA 2022 Reauthorization Overview. Below is some key information concerning the NGO. Please take a moment to carefully read this information and follow-up with your Program Manager should you have any questions.

  1. Will the NGO take place 5 days/week, 8 hours/day, for 3 weeks?

No. All sessions will occur Tuesday – Thursday. Except for Grants Financial Management Division presentations, all participants can expect 2 – 3 hours of content per day.  

  1. What time will the sessions take place?

Times will vary, though many sessions will begin at either 3:30 p.m. or 4 p.m. ET.  No session will begin earlier than 1 p.m. ET. 

EXAMPLE: A session that starts at 4 p.m. ET means it is 1 p.m. Pacific, 12 noon in Alaska, 11 a.m. in Hawaii, and 7 a.m. in Northern Mariana and Guam.

  1. Who is required to attend?

All new State Administrators (SAA) and Coalition Directors are required to attend the entire NGO. This is a special condition on all Coalition, SASP, and STOP awards. Additionally, a smaller number of individuals are required to attend a specific session(s). OVW will contact the individuals who are required to attend directly. See below for information on who is required to attend. 

The following individuals are required to attend the entire NGO:

  • SAAs and Coalition Directors who came into their current position after March 2021 and/or did not attend the Formula NGO held on 2021.    

The following individuals are required to attend the Formula Pass-through session on Thursday, March 9:

  • SAAs who pass-through SASP and/or STOP funds and Coalition Directors that receive pass-through SASP and/or STOP funds are required to attend this session regardless of how long they have been in their position or acted as a pass-through entity.
  • This session is specifically tailored to address pass-through entities. SAAs and Coalition Directors who attended this session during the NGO in 2021 are required to attend. 
  1. Do I have to attend the Formula NGO if I have attended other OVW NGOs, or similar trainings offered by other components in DOJ?

Yes. While some of the information may be similar to what is presented in other OVW NGOs, most of the Formula NGO content is specific to the formula programs. Additionally, many of the presentations will go into greater depth than is typical for other OVW NGOs.

  1. Can individuals who are not required to attend the NGO participate?

Yes. The benefit of holding a virtual NGO is we can allow for a greater number of individuals to attend. Individuals who are not required to attend the NGO may attend any or all the sessions. In fact, we encourage all SAAs and Coalitions Directors to have additional staff attend the sessions. Please note, there is a 250 person attendance limit.  

  1. Will attendance be taken?

Yes.  

  1. How do I register for the NGO?

OVW has partnered with Leidos for all NGO logistics. Registration information and instructions will be sent shortly. 

  1. How do I participate in each of the sessions?

The NGO will take place via zoom and a web portal will house all the zoom links, agendas, and meeting materials. Participants must use the portal to access the zoom links to join each session. A link to the portal for the NGO will be provided to all individuals who register for the NGO. 

  1. What are the next steps?

Leidos will send a communication to all SAAs and Coalition Directors in the next few days, so everyone has the relevant NGO information.

OVW will send a separate email to SAAs and Coalition Directors who are required to attend the entire NGO, or the pass-through session.

 All information for the NGO is on the Portal. The information about how to access the Portal will be contained in the email sent by Leidos. Please visit the Portal as soon as you receive the email from Leidos to familiarize yourself with the site and register for the NGO.

We look forward to seeing you next month. Please watch for additional communications from OVW and Leidos. If you have any questions please contact your Program Manager.

Best,

Amy