The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (AWA) (Pub. L. 109-248, 42 U.S.C. § 16901, et seq) authorizes the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART) to administer sex offender management grants. These grants assist state, local and tribal jurisdictions in developing and/or enhancing sex offender registration and notification programs that support substantial implementation of Title I of the AWA, known as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). SORNA was enacted to protect the public from convicted sex offenders and offenders against children by establishing a comprehensive national system for the registration of those offenders. SORNA allowed for certain federally recognized Indian tribes to elect to become sex offender registration jurisdictions and a total of 194 tribes have elected to implement SORNA. These tribes must implement SORNA by July 2011. The vast majority of these tribes did not have existing sex offender registries at the time that they elected to become registration jurisdictions under SORNA. As a result, there is a significant need in tribal jurisdictions for training and technical assistance related to SORNA implementation.
The SMART Office has developed a targeted technical assistance strategy to identify and target those tribes that need the greatest assistance as well as to support tribes that have not applied for funding in the past by providing training and technical assistance on SORNA implementation issues, particularly in the area of needs and system assessments, and successful grant writing. This targeted training and technical assistance will enhance tribal capacity to identify areas of critical need with reference to SORNA implementation thus allowing tribes to develop effective SORNA implementation strategies and to submit successful grant applicants for SORNA implementation funding.
This grant will support the following activities:
- Provision of a one-day technical assistance workshop/pre-conference institute for Indian tribes (approximately 75-100) identified by the SMART Office. This workshop/pre-conference institute should be attached to a broader DOJ/OJP-sponsored Indian Country training conference in order to maximize participation by tribes. Work will include supporting the development of subject matter materials and logistical activities, including management of scholarships and facilitation of travel arrangements for participants. This session should be designed to assist tribes with further understanding SORNA in terms of critical implementation requirements; designing needs assessment processes and identifying tribal needs related to SORNA implementation; and providing guidance and direction on developing quality, competitive grant applications responsive to SMART Office solicitations. The SMART Office will provide guidance and direction on content material and participate in the workshop/pre-conference institute.
- Delivery of targeted, onsite technical assistance to Indian tribes identified by the SMART Office related to conducting SORNA implementation planning; needs assessment; and implementation activities.
- Provision of follow up technical assistance to those tribes attending the technical assistance workshop in support of grant application planning and development.
- Development and provision of a consultant capacity-building seminar in Washington, DC, prior to the workshop/pre-conference institute. Training will be provided by the SMART Office.
- Collection and reporting of data related to performance measures identified by the SMART Office.
nca/ncf
