Our Resources
The Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA) conducts a semi-annual survey of its membership to identify the current issues faced by correctional agencies and their relative priority. In June and July 2012, ASCA conducted a survey of members to identify and rate the level of importance of the top four issues facing their agencies and to rate issues identified in previous surveys to determine the continuing relevance of these issues for their agencies. Thirty-one agencies responded to the survey. Click here for the report of the June 2012 Current Issues in Corrections Survey.
ASCA polled member agencies about current issues facing corrections in November and December and ASCA members discussed current issues during the 2010 All Directors Training held in San Francisco, CA on December 3 and 4, 2010. The information collected from these two forums was used to update the ASCA Current Issues Document. The results of the poll and discussion at All Directors Training have been incorporated in to a new Current Issues Document that shows that dealing with budget cuts continue to be the leading issue facing corrections agencies today. Click on this link to download the full report.
Members of ASCA met in Charleston, SC during the first week of December 2009 for their Special Issues Seminar and All Directors Training. From presentations and discussions during those meetings, a list of current and emerging issues facing corrections was developed. That document will continue to be updated and shared here and with our federal partners on a regular basis. Click here to download the document.
The attached document shows how the Grants Network web pages have been organized and may be used as a site map as you navigate the site. Click here to download the document.
ASCA polled member agencies in May and June to update the Current Issues Document that was developed during the Special Issues Seminar and All Directors Training held in Charleston, SC in December 2009. The results of the poll have been incorporated in to a new Current Issues Document that shows state budget cuts continue to be the leading issue facing corrections agencies today. Click on this link to download the full report.
Ask a Colleague
The Grants Writers and Managers directory was updated in March 2010. Click here to download the directory.
Ask a colleague about searching for grant opportunities at searchingforgrants@asca.net.
Contact colleagues with expertise in applying for and writing grants at applyingforgrants@asca.net
Contact colleagues with expertise in managing and reporting on grants at managinggrants@asca.net.
Ask ASCA
Grants.gov Help
It has come to BJA's attention that an increased number of grant applications submitted for the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) solicitations this year are being rejected by Grants.gov due to the use of special characters in the file names of attachments you may be attempting to upload with your grant application. The BJA solicitation guidance states:
"Grants.gov only permits the use of specific characters in names of attachment files. Valid file names may only include the following characters: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, underscore (_), hyphen (-), space, and period…"
To clarify, files you upload to Grants.gov can only have these characters in their titles:
- The letters A through Z
- The letters a through z
- The numbers 0-9
- Underscore _
- Hypen -
- Space
- Period .
If the file you are attempting to upload has any other special characters in its file name, Grants.gov will reject it.
For example, a file named this would be accepted: Policeplan_versionA.doc
A file named this would be rejected: Policeplan_version*.doc
If you attempt to upload a file with an unallowable character in its file name, the application will be rejected by Grants.gov and NOT be forwarded to the OJP Grants Management System to be considered for funding.
BJA recognizes that you and your stakeholders work very hard to put together the most competitive grant applications for your community. BJA would not want this technical requirement to prevent your application from being considered.
Please be aware that Grants.gov sends out a notification immediately as an application is rejected; however, depending on when the application was submitted, the deadline to apply may have already passed by the time the rejection notice has been received. Please take special care to name your attachments in accordance with the above referenced instructions to prevent your application from being rejected and potentially missing the application deadline. If you receive a Grants.gov rejection notice for an unallowable character in a file name before the deadline has passed, we encourage you to fix the file name, reattach the file, and resubmit your application before the deadline so your application can be considered for funding.
For technical assistance with submitting files to Grants.gov, prior to the application deadline, call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726 or 606-545-5035, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except for federal holidays.
If you have other questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Justice Information Center at 877-927-5657 or via their web site at www.justiceinformationcenter.us/
And finally, please give yourself enough time to apply successfully. These issues can be resolved and we do want to do everything we can to support these promising grant programs.
In March 2012, BJA launched its new web site, www.bja.gov. The site is full of new features and self-service options to enhance your visit. Among the new features:
- My BJA—by registering for My BJA, you can receive information customized to your area of interest, such as effective/promising programs from CrimeSolutions.gov, upcoming events, and publications.
- Events Near Me—search for events by city/state or zip code. The results will be rendered on a map on which you can click to get further details about a particular event. An enhanced search allows you to search specific dates and topic areas.
- My Favorites—you can save content, which will appear when you log into your My BJA account.
- Trending—quick access to hot topics.
- I Want To—links to frequently accessed pages.
Keep up to date with the latest grants.gov news by visiting the grants.gov blogspot. Click here to go to the BLOG.
Grants.gov now offers you even more help with finding and applying for federal grants. The self-help web portal (iPortal) is yet another entry point to live 24-hour assistance for Grants.gov. Visit the Grants.gov homepage or Contact Us page to access the self-help portal. This new feature includes the top 10 requested help topics, a searchable knowledge base (400 answers to common issues), self-service help ticket generation, live one-on-one help via web chat as well as alerts and important updates. Click here to visit the Grants.gov iPortal.
A comprehensive list of FAQs for Grants.gov applicants can be found here: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant_faqs.jsp
Learn more about specific topics by watching an animated overview.
- Grants.gov Overview – Watch an overview about Grants.gov.
- Grants.gov Eligibility – Determine whether you are eligible to apply for grants on Grants.gov.
- Finding Grant Opportunities on Grants.gov – Learn how to find grant opportunities and understand your search results.
- Organization Registration Overview – Watch an overview on how to register your organization with Grants.gov.
- Individual Registration Overview – Watch an overview on how to register with Grants.gov.
- Completing a Grants.gov Application – Watch an overview on how to apply using Adobe Reader.
Help with Grant Writing
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has posted a page on NIJ.gov that will link out to any questions we receive and answers we provide about specific solicitations. Only solicitations with relevant Q&As are listed.
Visit Question and Answers for Specific Solicitations on NIJ.gov.
View all current funding opportunities from NIJ.
The Council of State Governments Justice Center and International Community Corections Association present a PowerPoint with advice on developing your Grant Writing Skills. Click here for the presentation.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is pleased to announce the launch of a new online training program—the BJA Grant Writing and Management Academy. The Academy is designed to assist criminal justice practitioners and state, local, and tribal jurisdictions, including community and faith-based organizations, through the grant-writing process and project management activities. Through self-paced modules, the user will learn about:
- Issues and requirements to consider before applying for BJA funds.
- Steps and development required to submit a well-rounded application.
- Management and administration necessary for a successful project.
- Supplemental information focusing on strategic planning and budget development.
Through the BJA Grant Writing and Management Academy, the grant writing process is broken down into five easy to follow, self paced modules:
Module 1: Before Applying for BJA Funds
This first module provides an overview of BJA, its funding opportunities, and the purpose of and the rules associated with grant funds. Here, applicant responsibilities are clarified so that applicants will know what is expected of them should they decide to apply for grant funds.
Module 2: Applying for BJA Funds
In the second module, viewers review pre-application activities, such as registration with www.grants.gov and solicitation format requirements. In addition, the module covers the application process, how applications are reviewed, and the timing of award announcements.
Module 3: Managing Your BJA Funds
Module 3 offers viewers an overview of various administrative and financial requirements associated with managing a federal grant project, provides suggestions and methods to help manage daily project activities, and discusses the importance of ensuring accountability in all project operations.
Modules 4: Strategic Planning
In module 4, viewers learn how to undertake sound project planning, helping projects run more effectively and efficiently in their operation.
Module 5: Budget Development
The fifth module is supplemental and provides in-depth information on budget development, budget categories, and how to construct a grant application budget narrative.
Click here to start your grant writing and management training today and prepare for the Fiscal Year 2011 season.
Grants.gov now offers you even more help with finding and applying for federal grants. The self-help web portal (iPortal) is yet another entry point to live 24-hour assistance for Grants.gov. Visit the Grants.gov homepage or Contact Us page to access the self-help portal. This new feature includes the top 10 requested help topics, a searchable knowledge base (400 answers to common issues), self-service help ticket generation, live one-on-one help via web chat as well as alerts and important updates. Click here to visit the Grants.gov iPortal.
The Bureau of Justice Assistanceprovides assistance at the National Training and Technical Assistance Center. The center provides training opportunities, information, and other resources for the criminal justice community. BJA has created a one-stop-shop where you can learn more about BJA’s resources and services. Access BJA's newly designed training and technical assistance website here.
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The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has launched Grants 101. It provides an overview of OJP grants and funding opportunities and describes the entire grant process from choosing what type of grant is right for your organization to how a grant is awarded. http://www.ojp.gov/grants101/ |
ASCA does not promote or endorse this product but wish to point to resources that grant writers and grant managers may find useful.
Grant Writer’s Handbook
For Successful Public Safety Grant Proposals
A 5-Step Process & Toolkit to Achieve State & Local Grant Success Goals - Over 215 pages
For details, go to www.GovernmentTrainingInc.com <http://www.GovernmentTrainingInc.com>
Written FOR the special needs of public safety (police, fire, EMS, Emergency Management) agencies
Questions?: Call or Email Barbara Musick at barbara.musick@governmenttraininginc.com or (941) 306-7968
Click here for more information about the Grant Writer's Handbook.
Click here for the web link to the Grant Writer's Handbook.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Grants Manual is a resource to state, local, and tribal government agencies and private, non-profit, and faithbased and community organizations interested in applying for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 grant funds. This grant writing manual is based on the insights of BJA staff and grant applicants and was written with considerable effort to keep pace with changes in the funding environment. This version was created specifically to support criminal justice professionals as they look to collaborate, build partnerships, and identify funding sources. Moreover, this manual is intended as a valuable resource for novice grant applicants who seek a foundation for successful grant writing. It is also meant to serve seasoned grant applicants who may be looking for a focused reference tool or an update on the latest developments in the BJA grant application process.
Help with Grant Management
BJA has released "Allowable Uses for Second Chance Act Program Grant Funds." These guidelines have been issued to inform Second Chance Act grant recipients that a wide range of legal services may be an appropriate use of funds where those services further the Second Chance Act's purpose.
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Preventions (OJJDPs) National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC) is offering a new online training for OJJDP grant recipients.
Managing Your Grant Award teaches grantees how to manage projects efficiently, meet progress and financial reporting requirements, and avoid common reporting and budgeting errors. Links to other grant management courses and relevant online resources are provided. Training can be completed in approximately 1 hour and is mandatory for new grantees.
Enroll for the course.
The OJP Financial Guide is the primary reference to assist award recipients in fulfilling their fiduciary responsibility to safeguard grant funds and ensure funds are used for the purposes for which they were awarded.
OJP encourages you to:
- Review the 2011 OJP Financial guide.
- Download the complete OJP Financial Guide to keep as a ready reference (pdf, 128 page)
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is pleased to announce the launch of a new online training program—the BJA Grant Writing and Management Academy. The Academy is designed to assist criminal justice practitioners and state, local, and tribal jurisdictions, including community and faith-based organizations, through the grant-writing process and project management activities. Through self-paced modules, the user will learn about:
- Issues and requirements to consider before applying for BJA funds.
- Steps and development required to submit a well-rounded application.
- Management and administration necessary for a successful project.
- Supplemental information focusing on strategic planning and budget development.
Through the BJA Grant Writing and Management Academy, the grant writing process is broken down into five easy to follow, self paced modules:
Module 1: Before Applying for BJA Funds
This first module provides an overview of BJA, its funding opportunities, and the purpose of and the rules associated with grant funds. Here, applicant responsibilities are clarified so that applicants will know what is expected of them should they decide to apply for grant funds.
Module 2: Applying for BJA Funds
In the second module, viewers review pre-application activities, such as registration with www.grants.gov and solicitation format requirements. In addition, the module covers the application process, how applications are reviewed, and the timing of award announcements.
Module 3: Managing Your BJA Funds
Module 3 offers viewers an overview of various administrative and financial requirements associated with managing a federal grant project, provides suggestions and methods to help manage daily project activities, and discusses the importance of ensuring accountability in all project operations.
Modules 4: Strategic Planning
In module 4, viewers learn how to undertake sound project planning, helping projects run more effectively and efficiently in their operation.
Module 5: Budget Development
The fifth module is supplemental and provides in-depth information on budget development, budget categories, and how to construct a grant application budget narrative.
Click here to start your grant writing and management training today and prepare for the Fiscal Year 2011 season.
Help with Grant Reporting
The Grants Management System (GMS) Financial Status Reports Module for Recipients Guide is designed as a training and reference tool for users of GMS. This guide provides DOJ recipients with step‐by‐step, illustrated instructions to assist with completing the required quarterly financial reports within GMS and staying in compliance with the requirements and guidelines of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). Annotated figures such as screenshots and diagrams will be displayed with text that provides information and instructions related to each topic. References in red correspond with annotations on the figures. The appendix provides a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Have Questions about Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Grant Management System (GMS) reporting?
OJP has a computer based training program with various reporting modules: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/gmscbt/