§2.Demonstration program on trauma-informed, victim-centered training for healthcare providers
This section establishes a demonstration program on trauma-informed, victim-centered training for healthcare providers by adding a new section to Subtitle Q of title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12513 et seq.).
It authorizes the Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women and in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to award competitive grants to eligible entities—defined as facilities listed in paragraphs (1), (2), (4), (5), or (6) of section 1624 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300s–3)—to collaborate with victim services organizations in implementing evidence-based practices that (1) prevent victim re-traumatization, (2) enable covered individuals to identify, respond to, and treat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, (3) increase stakeholder collaboration, and (4) evaluate training effectiveness. Grants are awarded across diverse settings, including urban, suburban, Tribal, remote, and rural areas; college campuses; and traditionally underserved communities.
Grant funds support training covered individuals—including healthcare workers or affiliates, school/university administrators and personnel (e.g., campus police officers, school resource officers), and emergency services employees—on culturally/linguistically tailored techniques for complex cases (e.g., facilitated by alcohol/drugs, involving strangulation, non-strangers, same-sex perpetrators, victims with disabilities, male victims, or LGBT victims); developing collaborations with law enforcement, response teams, and communities; correctly classifying reports; and promoting efforts via websites, social media, print materials, and community meetings.
The Attorney General and Secretary identify preexisting qualifying trainings focused on trauma responses, impacts, and treatment techniques for grantees to test. Grantees must partner with researchers (preferably local), including the National Institute of Justice, to design data systems, conduct independent process/impact evaluations, and publicly report preliminary results and improvement recommendations during the grant period.