REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE 2008 MEDIATION IN CRIMINAL M ATTERS PROJECT
The Mediation in Criminal Matters Project (the “Project”) invites state and local bar associations, courts, public defender offices, prosecutor offices, and other similar organizations to apply for one of ten mini-grants available to support the implementation of mediation in criminal matters projects. I. Background
A. What is the Mediation in Criminal Matters Project? The Mediation in Criminal Matters Project is sponsored by eight entities from within the American Bar Association: the ABA Criminal Justice Section, the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution, the ABA Section of State and Local Government Law, the ABA Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense, the ABA Government and Public Sctor Lawyers Division, the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence, the ABA Commission on Effective Criminal Sanctions, and the ABA Judicial Division. The project is administered by the ABA Criminal Justice Section, and funded by the ABA Enterprise Fund. B. What are the Project’s Goals and Objectives? The goal of the Mediation in Criminal Matters Project is to create a pathway for greater utilization of mediation within the criminal justice arena. The specific objectives of the Project are to:
Document current model programs utilizing pre-trial mediation, restorative justice, victim offender mediation, and other methods of creative problem solving in criminal law settings. Pilot a special project on mediation between prosecutor and public defenders to more quickly process incarcerated individuals unable to make bail in Anoka County, Minnesota, and other sites. Sponsor a “Train the Trainers” conference for three person teams from ten different communities who agree in advance to implement mediation programs when they return to their locale and to conduct at least one training for judges, defense lawyers, corrections officials, law school clinical academics, and others from their local community in Mediation in Criminal Matters. Draft ABA Policy encouraging the use of Mediation in Criminal Matters and present the policy to the ABA House of Delegates for consideration. Conduct outreach to the criminal justice field.
II. A.
Project Guidelines Who is Eligible for the Grants? 1
US organizations involving attorneys in the delivery of criminal justice. The organizations should be a non-profit entity, bar association, legal services organization, or government entity (court, prosecution office, defense office). B. What Types of Projects Will Be Funded?
The Project is interested in providing a small amount of financial support to bar associations, court and other agencies involved in criminal justice for efforts to add or expand a dispute resolution program. Each funded project will create or expand a criminal justice dispute resolution program with the assistance of Project staff. The Project is interested in funding different types of criminal justice mediation program models and recipients must agree to expand or implement a program and conduct at least one training for other judges, defense lawyers, academics, and others from their local community in Mediation in Criminal Matters. The Project Consultant and ABA staff will provide ongoing technical assistance during the course of the grant year. The mini-grants are not an ongoing source of funding but are meant to start or enhance projects that can be sustained by other resources. C. What Are the Program Requirements? Identify a team of two to three persons to participate in the Train the Trainers conference in September 2008, and to implement a mediation program upon their return from the conference. Teams must be multi-disciplinary, in that they must represent at least two different criminal justice agencies (court, prosecution, and defense). Participate in the Train the Trainers conference. Draft an implementation strategy and plan of action for utilizing Mediation in Criminal Matters in their local community. Implement the strategy after completing the Train the Trainers conference. Submit a brief quarterly report from the grantees (a short form will be provided to make the reporting quick, easy, and uniform). Participate in a one-hour conversation each quarter with fellow mini-grant project directors to discuss shared challenges, obstacles, and solutions. Complete evaluations of the program so that Project-wide improvements can be made and other legal services and pro bono programs can learn from these efforts.
D. What are the Application Requirements? The proposal must be prepared in an electronic format using this 2008 Mini-grant Application developed by the Mediation in Criminal Matters Project. The completed Application may not exceed ten pages. In addition to the Application Form, applicants are encouraged to submit two letters of support from other organizations involved in the applicant’s project or with knowledge of the needs to be addressed by the project. The letters must be signed by the president, board chair, chief executive, or other equivalent authority of the organization. Letters of support from relevant judges, or other court personnel who would interact with the proposed project, or 2
from the local bar or dispute resolution organizations will be given high consideration. The letters of support are not part of the 10-page limit. E. What Funding is Available? The Mediation in Criminal Matters Project will award grants of $3,000. These funds may be spent as needed to support the creation or expansion of a Mediation in Criminal Matters project. For example, depending upon the needs of a project, the funds may be spent on such things as: Training expenses; Planning meetings; Promotional materials to notify the community about a Mediation in Criminal Matters project. Travel expenses to send additional team members to the September training conference. F. What is the Grant Period? A grant is for a period of up to twelve months. G. How and When to Apply? Applications must be received by May 15, 2008, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time: (1) email the completed 2008 Mini-grant Application to cjmed@staff.abanet.org , AND (2) place in the U.S. mail a hard copy of the completed 2008 Mini-grant Application (not to exceed 10 pages) and two letters of support, addressed to Mediation in Criminal Matters Grants, ABA Criminal Justice Section, 740 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005. Mini-grant recipients will be announced by May 30th, 2008. H. Reporting Because a major goal of the Mediation in Criminal Matters Project is to identify successful projects that can be replicated by other groups, grant recipients will be expected to provide the Project with three brief quarterly reports and a more extensive summary report at the end of the grant period. The report will include such things as record-keeping procedures, intake forms, surveys, client education materials, a project summary, and documents that will help other programs develop successful projects. K. Questions about the Mini-grants For more information about the mini-grants, please contact Catherine Beane, at cjmed@staff.abanet.org or Catherine@beaneconsulting.com, or call Catherine Beane at (202)270-4944. Production of mediation training materials. Travel expenses to bring a speaker/expert on mediation in criminal matters to a local planning meeting, training event, or bar association meeting.
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MEDIATION IN CRIMINAL M ATTERS PROJECT
2008 MINI-GRANT APPLICATION FORM
I.
Applicant Information Applicant Organization Name: Address: Telephone: Fax: Website: Project Director Name: Address: Telephone: Fax: Email: Affiliated/Sponsoring Organization (if any) Name: Address: Telephone: Fax: Web site:
Service Area:
___State
___County
___City
___Other (________________)
II.
Basic Project Information A. Provide a short description (no more than 3 sentences) of the mediation in criminal matters project for which you are seeking funding, including case types.
III.
Detailed Project Information
Provide brief responses to each of the following questions, addressing only the dispute resolution project for which you are seeking funding. A. What are the objectives of the project? B. What services will be provided?
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C. How will these services be provided? Include a brief description of staff responsibilities; coordination with relevant bar associations and non-profits; and the role of any partnering organizations. D. What are your plans for the mediation in criminal matters project beyond the grant period? E. How will the project be replicable by other entities?
IV.
Plans to Overcome Anticipated Obstacles
Describe any obstacles you anticipate in implementing your project and how you will overcome these obstacles. Typical obstacles may include the following: A. Statutory, court rule, and regulatory obstacles (for instance, one program could not provide mediation services to parties if one party did not meet eligibility guidelines). B. No or low case flow. Unwillingness of parties, defense lawyers or prosecutors to participate because of lack of information, case type, victims impact, desire to litigate, or preference of the status quo.
V.
Statement of Need
Provide a very brief statement of your need for the funds, including information for how a mediation in criminal matters program will improve your organization’s services and meet the needs of your clients and service population.
VI.
Detailed Budget Information
Please indicate how you intend to use the mini-grant funds. If you have matching or contributing funds, please identify the source of all matching or contributing funds.
VII.
Deadline
Applications must be received by May 15, 2008, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time: (1) email the completed 2008 Mini-grant Application to cjmed@staff.abanet.org AND (2) place in the U.S. mail a hard copy of the completed 2008 Mini-grant Application (not to exceed 10 pages) and two letters of support, addressed to Mediation in Criminal Matters Grants, ABA Criminal Justice Section, 740 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005. Mini-grant recipients will be announced by May 30, 2008.
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