DOJ Grant Cancellations Lead to Widespread Impact

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    A deaf mother fleeing from her abusive husband sought refuge at a domestic violence shelter, but faced a challenge in communicating through American Sign Language. The shelter’s staff reached out to Activating Change, an organization that equips trauma-informed sign language interpreters. Over the course of a year, with help from the interpreter, the woman managed to initiate divorce proceedings, secure child custody, access therapy, and stabilize her life with employment and housing.

    Marjie George, who serves as the developmental director at the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services shelter, emphasized that adaptability is their strength, and having access to services like those provided by Activating Change is crucial in maintaining it.

    Activating Change supports individuals with disabilities in navigating the criminal justice system. Recently, they were one of many recipients who received a letter on April 22, announcing the Department of Justice’s decision to cancel grants previously awarded through the Office of Justice Programs. More than 350 grants, originally valued at over $800 million, were abruptly terminated, leading to layoffs and the closure of several initiatives.

    The cancellation of $3 million in direct grants forced Activating Change to lay off nearly half of its workforce. Amy Solomon, previously the assistant attorney general overseeing the Office of Justice Programs, noted that the wide-reaching impact of these cuts was unexpected. Generally, administrations implement shifts in their budget priorities in future years and don’t pull back already awarded grants.

    The exact amount the government intends to reclaim is uncertain, given some of the rescinded grants date back to 2021 and organizations were cut off from the financial system days before reimbursement for completed work was due. It remains unclear how the Justice Department plans to reallocate the returned funds, some of which came from the Victims of Crime Act fund.

    While the Justice Department spokesperson did not address inquiries about the funding cuts, grantees were informed they had 30 days to appeal, and a few grants have since been reinstated.

    The department’s notices attributed the cuts to a reevaluation of priorities towards direct support for certain law enforcement efforts, combating violent crime, and aiding victims of trafficking and sexual assault. However, many advocacy groups argue that the rescinded grants already supported these areas.

    Notably, programs focusing on violence intervention—a priority under the Biden administration—and initiatives against elder abuse and financial exploitation—linked to Trump’s administration—were among those affected. Even though cities and law enforcement organizations mostly escaped direct cuts, the impact is felt via its reverberations through partner programs.

    In New Jersey, Attorney General Matt Platkin condemned the nearly $13 million cuts to ongoing state programs, stating such decisions compromise public safety efforts against bias crimes, opioid addiction, and gun violence.

    Baltimore’s anti-violence group, Roca, which recently lost about $1 million in grants, seeks new funding. The organization supports at-risk youth, aiding those involved in gun violence with mentorship and job skills training. Sheldon Smith-Gray, a program graduate and employee, credits the program with personal transformation amid Baltimore’s decline in homicides.

    Research entities dedicated to setting training standards and providing resources for smaller police agencies also faced cuts. The Police Executive Research Forum and the National Policing Institute both saw substantial grant rescissions affecting their operational efforts, including support for rural departments and community-police relations advancement.

    Some of the canceled grants were tied to legally required services, such as audits demanded by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). Impact Justice, managing the PREA Resource Center for over a decade, lost crucial funds, impacting audits and other related services.

    Nonprofits focused on victim services are similarly affected, stirring concerns about the potential risks to public safety. For instance, funding cuts dismantle resources for the crime victims hotline and critical training for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners in underserved regions.

    Ilse Knecht, from The Joyful Heart Foundation, highlighted the significance of these services in aiding survivors and supporting victim participation in the justice system, questioning how these cuts serve public safety initiatives.

    For Activating Change, the sudden funding withdrawals pose a significant blow to its operations, disrupting crucial support systems for individuals with disabilities and deaf individuals who have endured violent crimes.

    In conclusion, organizational directors and advocates argue that the federally driven funding reallocation not only jeopardizes their programs but also the essential protective network in place for vulnerable communities across the nation.