By Susannah Mayhall
February 2012

The Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) was developed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in 2010 to consolidate the DOJ's existing Tribal-specific grant programs into one combined application package. Thus, the overall program is comprised of several individual programs or "Purpose Areas." CTAS is intended to foster a comprehensive approach to public safety and victimization issues by encouraging tribal governments to collaborate efforts and plan a community-wide strategy for addressing a variety of law enforcement and justice issues.
The 2012 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation was announced on January 18, with a deadline of April 18, 2012. Over $100 million is available through this program, providing funds to support tribal public safety and justice initiatives such as community policing and tribal youth programs.
After incorporating feedback from Tribal meetings and consultations, DOJ has made the following changes to the program for 2012:

1. A new strategic planning pilot program has been added. Purpose Area 2, Comprehensive Planning Demonstration Project (BJA, CFDA #16.608) encompasses projects that will develop comprehensive strategic planning programs designed to improve Tribal justice and community wellness and safety. Under this purpose area, applicants may applying for funding to engage in a data-informed planning process, purchase general office equipment such as computers, complete training to support the planning process, and cover the costs of travel associated with regional and national training sessions. Templates for applying to purpose area 2 can be found at http://justice.gov/tribal/ctas2012/narrative-profile-template.pdf.
2. A question-and-answer template has been incorporated into the solicitation to make the document more user-friendly. Templates for each Purpose Area are included in the solicitation (available at http://www.justice.gov/tribal/ctas2012/ctas-solicitation.pdf.) Each template contains a list of questions and guidelines for developing the specific purpose area's narrative. Applicants must submit a separate narrative for each purpose area. Templates contain instructions for: project/program design and implementation; capabilities and competencies; and impact/outcomes and evaluation/plan for collecting data for performance measures. Be sure to use the correct template for each purpose area to which you are applying.
3. Purpose Areas have been adjusted to address the Tribes' feedback and concerns and allow for greater flexibility in funding requests. This year's solicitation includes 10 Purpose Areas. Notable changes from the 2011 solicitation include the removal of the methamphetamine- and elder abuse-specific programs and the inclusion of broader program areas such as the Comprehensive Tribal Victim Assistance Program (Purpose Area 8).
4. The request for additional data on Tribe demographics will help DOJ to gain a better understanding of the unique characteristics of each Tribe.

The Tribal Narrative Profile, requested as a portion of the Tribal Community & Justice Profile, accounts for 35% of the application's total score. This section requests a variety of details concerning the needs of the community, why the identified needs are pressing, and how the community currently operates/how it will improve after project implementation. This section provides an expanded space for applicants to illustrate their communities' particular needs and provide a compelling argument for why these needs must be addressed with CTAS funding. Make the most of this section by being as detailed as possible in your description. Remember, reviewers may not be familiar with your region and this is your chance to introduce them to your community and persuade them that your application deserves funding.
Because of the changes made in year's guidance, take some time to read through the instructions carefully and note any new or additional information you may need to provide in your proposal narratives.

For more information about the current CTAS competition, join Dan Casion, Manager of Grants Development and Administration, on March 6 for an informational webcast exploring the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation in depth. To register for the webcast, go to https://grantsofficeevents.webex.com.