City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 2, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: KATE GARVEY, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a Grant Application to the Office of Violence Against Women for the Grants to Prevent and Respond to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Sex Trafficking Against Children and Youth Program.
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ISSUE: City Council’s consideration of an Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) grant application seeking new funding for Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence.
RECOMMENDATIONS: That City Council:
1. Authorize the submission of a grant application for funding to DCHS for $500,000 for the duration of thirty-six months (36) with no match required; for a grant award of $500,000 to provide domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking prevention programming in the City of Alexandria; and
2. Continue the support of one full-time (1-FTE) Prevention Program Supervisor position and a Prevention Project Manager Consultant who would oversee the Prevention Program Supervisor and the prevention program that grant revenues will fully support if the competitive request is successful. In addition, continue the support of six Young Adult Peer Advocates and funding for the Capital Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP) to deliver the Safe Dates curriculum; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: For more than 10 years, DCHS has received prevention funding which has supported the staff position for the City’s sexual assault and domestic violence crisis and core services. The Virginia Department of Health, which oversaw the Rape Prevention Education Grant, changed the guidelines, making local sexual and domestic violence programs ineligible. In 2022, DCHS was awarded a three-year grant from the Office on Violence Against Women for the Grants to Prevent and Respond to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Sex Trafficking Against Children and Youth Program.
That funding supported a Human Services Specialist (II) (1- FTE), a Prevention Project Coordinator Consultant, six Young Adult Peer Advocates, and funding for Capital Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP) and Safe Space NOVA to carry out prevention initiatives and curricula. In 2025, DCHS’s reapplication for this grant was unsuccessful. A new Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Grants to Prevent and Respond to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Sex Trafficking Against Children and Youth Program was issued on July 15, 2026.This new RFP represents a second opportunity to apply for this vital funding.
DISCUSSION: On July 15, 2026, DCHS was notified by OVW of the opportunity to apply for a competitive grant, and the grant application is due on September 10, 2026. Grant awards will support the development and expansion of prevention programming for domestic violence and sexual assault. Funding through the competitive process would continue to fund the positions and services that are described above which would improve the quality of our prevention programming for sexual and domestic violence and complement our existing core services.
It is our understanding that this grant may come with federal certifications that need to be evaluated prior to acceptance of any award if granted.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funding request in this grant application is for the period covering October 1, 2026, for thirty-six months and totals $500,000.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
STAFF:
Alethea Predeoux, Deputy City Manager
Kate Garvey, Director, Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS)
Federico Gutierrez, Deputy Director, DCHS
Barbara Paulson, Director, Center for Children and Families, DCHS
Joshua Williams, Fiscal Officer III, DCHS
Debra Evans, Division Chief, DCHS