Trauma Recovery Center Grant Fiscal Year 24/25
🏛 Victim Compensation Board (California)
Can you apply?
This grant is for California-based organizations providing mental health and social services to violent crime survivors. Applicants must operate throughout California and be able to maintain a multidisciplinary staff including a Program Director, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, and LCSW or LMFT.
Organizations must follow the May 2017 evidence-informed TRC model of care. Eligible expenses include personnel salaries, operating costs, emergency client assistance, community outreach, and training. Grant planning is not eligible.
Awards are for two fiscal years. The grant covers typical direct service expenses and indirect costs if your organization has a pre-existing cost allocation agreement.
This grant is for California-based organizations providing mental health and social services to violent crime survivors. Applicants must operate throughout California and be able to maintain a multidisciplinary staff including a Program Director, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, and LCSW or LMFT.
Organizations must follow the May 2017 evidence-informed TRC model of care. Eligible expenses include personnel salaries, operating costs, emergency client assistance, community outreach, and training. Grant planning is not eligible.
Awards are for two fiscal years. The grant covers typical direct service expenses and indirect costs if your organization has a pre-existing cost allocation agreement.
Program description
The Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) Grant funds organizations that operate throughout California to provide survivors of violent crime access to mental health or social services that may not be accessible for them through existing avenues. The TRC model offers wrap-around clinical services and cost-effective solutions for under- or unserved survivors and includes assertive outreach, clinical case management, assistance with law enforcement, referral to community resources and trauma-informed treatment. TRCs are meant to meet the victim where they are and serve each victim specific to his/her/their needs. Grant planning is not an eligible activity. Funding for TRCs varies each year with $2,000,000 from the Restitution Fund and a percentage of savings from the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Fund (SNSF) that varies annually. Individual awards vary by number of passing applications, funds available, and the amount requested to fund the TRC. Grants are for two fiscal years at a time, and TRCs may re-apply at the end of their awarded grant period to avoid a lapse in funding. Each year, CalVCB posts a Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) that instructs how interested applicants may apply and what each application should include. Questions about the NOFA may be submitted and will receive a timely response within the application deadline. Due dates for the application will be included in the NOFA posting. TRCs must follow the May 2017 edition of the evidence-informed model of care developed by the State Pilot TRC, including a multidisciplinary staff that includes a Program Director, Psychologist, Psychiatrist and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Each TRC is expected to invoice monthly, submit data reports monthly and maintain records to fulfill site visit and/or audit requirements. Typical expenses for TRCs include: • Salary and benefits for personnel •Contracted personnel• Operating expenses related to direct services such as rent, insurance, utilities, postage, telephone service, internet costs, printed outreach materials, and other costs approved by the board• Emergency funds to help clients with nominal crime-related costs to meet the immediate needs of TRC clients such as transportation, childcare, food, emergency shelter, or clothing • Costs associated with community outreach events and activities • In-state training for the provision of trauma-informed evidence-based and evidence-informed practices as outlined in the grant application and approved in advance • Indirect costs (your organization must have a pre-existing cost rate agreement)The CalVCB Board reviews recommendations made and approves or denies the funding recommendation. Upon Board approval, grantees will be notified of their grant award, with all applicants receiving notification of results.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- Individuals
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Tribal Nation
Details
This grant is for California-based organizations providing mental health and social services to violent crime survivors. Applicants must operate throughout California and be able to maintain a multidisciplinary staff including a Program Director, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, and LCSW or LMFT.
Organizations must follow the May 2017 evidence-informed TRC model of care. Eligible expenses include personnel salaries, operating costs, emergency client assistance, community outreach, and training. Grant planning is not eligible.
Awards are for two fiscal years. The grant covers typical direct service expenses and indirect costs if your organization has a pre-existing cost allocation agreement.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) from CalVCB
- Proposal narrative demonstrating TRC model compliance
- Budget and budget narrative
- Staff qualifications and job descriptions
- Evidence of organization capacity and experience
- Cost allocation agreement (if claiming indirect costs)
Program contact
- 📧 Grants@victims.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-491-3740
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | 19 | 9 | 47% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for a Trauma Recovery Center Grant?
Organizations operating throughout California that provide mental health or social services to violent crime survivors. Your organization must be able to staff a Program Director, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, and LCSW or LMFT.
What is the deadline and how often is this grant available?
CalVCB posts a Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) annually with specific due dates. Grants fund two fiscal years at a time. Organizations may reapply at the end of their grant period.
What expenses are eligible?
Personnel salaries and benefits, contracted services, rent, utilities, emergency client assistance (transportation, food, shelter), community outreach, and trauma-informed training. Indirect costs are allowed if you have a cost allocation agreement.
How much funding will my organization receive?
Award amounts vary based on the number of applications, funds available, and requested amounts. Funding comes from the Restitution Fund and a percentage of SNSF savings that changes annually.
What happens after I submit my application?
The CalVCB Board reviews recommendations and approves or denies funding. All applicants receive notification of results once the Board makes decisions.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Study the May 2017 evidence-informed TRC model of care before writing your proposal. Your application must demonstrate compliance with this specific framework.
- Clearly document your organization's capacity to hire and retain the required multidisciplinary team. Resumes and job descriptions strengthen this section.
- Request the annual NOFA early and ask CalVCB questions about eligibility or expectations before the deadline. They respond promptly to inquiries.
- Show your experience serving under- or unserved violent crime survivors. Include specific data on outreach, case management, and referral outcomes.
- If you lack a cost allocation agreement for indirect costs, budget only direct operating expenses. Plan to establish a cost agreement before award if possible.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when organizations underestimate staffing costs or cannot demonstrate capacity to hire required licensed professionals. Proposals that deviate from the May 2017 TRC model of care or include ineligible activities like grant planning are rejected. Incomplete data on service capacity and experience serving violent crime survivors weakens competitiveness.
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