BJA FY 20 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) | BJA 2020 17018

FAQs: BJA FY 20 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) (BJA-2020-17018)

What is the BJA FY 20 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI)?

SAKI is a competitive discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). It supports jurisdictions in taking a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to addressing backlogs of previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits (SAKs) and strengthening the full response that follows, including evidence testing, investigation, prosecution, and victim notification and services.

What problem is this grant designed to address?

The opportunity is designed to help jurisdictions reduce the backlog of previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits and improve outcomes after kits are tested, including how resulting leads are investigated, prosecuted when appropriate, and communicated to survivors through victim-centered notification and support.

Is SAKI only about testing sexual assault kits?

No. A central premise of SAKI is that testing kits is only one step. The program emphasizes that communities also need policies, partnerships, and capacity to act on results in ways that are effective, lawful, well-coordinated, and victim-centered.

What does “coordinated, multidisciplinary approach” mean under SAKI?

It means building or strengthening collaboration among multiple disciplines and agencies involved in the response to sexual assault cases, such as forensic laboratories, law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim service providers, so that evidence testing, case follow-up, prosecution decisions, and victim notification/services work together as an integrated system.

What is a SAKI community response team?

SAKI funds community response teams that bring together key partners (including forensic labs, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and victim service providers) to coordinate activities like inventorying and tracking previously unsubmitted kits, submitting kits for testing, and using DNA results to advance investigations.

Which partners are specifically highlighted as part of the SAKI approach?

The opportunity highlights forensic laboratories, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and victim service providers as key partners that should work together as part of the community response team.

What kinds of kit-related activities does SAKI support?

Based on the opportunity description, SAKI supports jurisdictions to inventory and track previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits, submit those kits for testing, and use the resulting DNA information to advance investigations.

Does the program support improving DNA collection from offenders or arrestees?

Yes. The program supports efforts to collect and test lawfully owed DNA from offenders or arrestees, recognizing that timely collection and entry of DNA can increase the chances of identifying suspects and linking cases through CODIS.

How does CODIS relate to this program?

SAKI recognizes that timely DNA collection and entry can help identify suspects and link cases through CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System, which is used to compare DNA profiles and generate investigative leads.

What types of policies and protocols can SAKI funding help develop or improve?

Funding can be used to develop or refine procedures that improve coordination among laboratories, police, prosecutors, and victim advocates. The goal is to help evidence move efficiently through the system and to promote consistent, well-documented decision-making across agencies.

Why does SAKI emphasize protocols and coordination between agencies?

The initiative is built on the idea that effective outcomes require more than testing. Better protocols and coordination help ensure evidence and information move through the system efficiently, that agencies work from shared procedures, and that decisions are consistent and documented.

Does the opportunity address what happens after a kit is tested?

Yes. SAKI emphasizes strengthening the full response after testing, including the investigative and prosecutorial work that may follow, as well as victim notification and access to services.

How does SAKI address increased workload after testing and DNA hits?

The opportunity supports resources to address the investigative and prosecutorial workload that can surge after kits are tested and CODIS hits occur. This includes capacity to follow leads, re-open cases appropriately, and pursue prosecutions when supported by the evidence.

What does “victim-centered” mean in the context of this grant?

Within the program description, victim-centered practice focuses on ensuring survivors receive timely, sensitive, and trauma-informed communication about case status and significant developments, along with access to services that meet victims’ needs.

What does SAKI say about victim notification?

SAKI funding is intended to help jurisdictions optimize victim notification protocols and related services so survivors can receive timely, sensitive, trauma-informed notifications about case status and major developments, especially when older cases are re-engaged.

Why is victim notification especially important in older cases?

The opportunity notes that re-engagement in older cases can be difficult for survivors. Notification and support must be handled carefully, with trauma-informed communication and access to services that meet victims’ needs.

Who was eligible to apply for this FY 2020 SAKI opportunity?

Eligible applicants included state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is BJA-2020-17018.

Which federal agency runs this grant program?

This program is run by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

Is this a grant or another type of federal award?

The grant instrument type is a grant.

What activity categories are associated with this opportunity?

The activity categories are listed across areas such as law, justice and legal services, information and statistics, and related public service fields.

When was this FY 2020 opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on February 27, 2020, and the original closing date was April 27, 2020.

How many awards were anticipated?

Awards were anticipated for approximately 27 recipients.

What was the maximum award amount?

The maximum (ceiling) award amount was $2,500,000 per award.

What outcomes is SAKI designed to achieve overall?

Overall, the FY 20 SAKI opportunity is designed to help jurisdictions reduce unsubmitted kit backlogs, improve DNA testing outcomes, build sustainable and collaborative systems to investigate resulting leads, pursue appropriate prosecutions, and provide consistent, survivor-focused notification and support.

How does SAKI encourage sustainability beyond a one-time testing push?

SAKI emphasizes building a sustainable, collaborative system by improving policies, protocols, partnerships, and capacity so jurisdictions can responsibly manage evidence testing results over time, including investigations, prosecutions, and survivor-focused notification and services.

Does the program description emphasize lawful handling of evidence and DNA collection?

Yes. The description highlights acting on results in a way that is effective, lawful, and victim-centered, and it specifically references collecting and testing lawfully owed DNA from offenders or arrestees.