15POVC22GK03590SAFE

Medical-forensic examinations are a critical part of any multidisciplinary response to sexual violence. Studies have shown that exams performed by SANEs may result in better health outcomes and, in turn, lead to higher prosecution rates.

However, most communities do not have SANEs available, and there are limited resources available to support communities striving to develop SANE programs. IAFN proposes to provide comprehensive training and technical assistance (T/TA) to OVC's Purpose Area 1 grantees to ensure they have the information, guidance, and support they need to develop, expand, and sustain their SANE programs.

IAFN and its partners will offer a full range of culturally-specific assistance, working closely with all grantees to ensure their programs develop, foster, and maintain patient-centered, trauma-informed, and evidence-based SANE programs. As the author of the Forensic Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice and the SANE Education Guidelines, IAFN and its board-certified forensic nursing staff are uniquely poised to offer this T/TA.

The goal for this project is to utilize the expertise and experience of IAFN, its project partners, and OVC to provide proactive, action-driven, flexible, victim-centered, trauma-informed T/TA to the selected SANE programs throughout the US and its territories. The primary activities, products, and deliverables include:

- Identification of site-specific needs and an associated T/TA recommendation plans
- Develop and deliver a full-day workshop annually prior to the IAFN International Conference of Forensic Nursing Science and Practice tailored to issues of program expansion and sustainability
- Provide access to IAFN's online adult or pediatric SANE training for up to 28 clinicians
- Provide review of any grantee SANE didactic training program to ensure it adheres to the IAFN SANE Education Guidelines
- Provide two, two-day clinical skills laboratories annually for didactically prepared SANEs
- Provide one SANE-A and SANE-P board certification review course annually
- Develop gamified simulation training to improve critical thinking skills in developing a trauma-informed response to survivors regardless of age, stage of development, gender, or special circumstances
- Provide access to IAFN's online Intimate Partner Violence Nurse Examiner (IPVNE) training for programs expanding to IPV for up to 28 clinicians
- Provide access to monthly ECHO case review and bi-monthly webinars for SANEs and the multidisciplinary teams they work with
- Create closed online communities where cross-communication, learning, and networking can occur between programs, partners, and the IAFN team
- House new resources on the existing IAFN SAFETA.ORG website
- Assist sites in creating sustainability plans.

International Association Of Forensic Nurses

UNDER CATEGORY 1, THIS PROGRAM WILL SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OR EXPANSION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER (SANE) PROGRAMS AND SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC EXAMINER (SAFE) PROGRAMS, THAT FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE PROVISION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT CARE USING A COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH, SUCH AS THROUGH A CAMPUS COMMUNITY, NONPROFIT, COMMUNITY-BASED, AND/OR TRIBE-AFFILIATED VICTIM SERVICES PROVIDER. FUNDING MAY ALSO SUPPORT SANE EDUCATION, MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS, MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS THAT RESPOND TO SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES, AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGY-BASED MODELS SUCH AS TELESANE AND ECHO (EXTENSION FOR COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE OUTCOMES) TO ENHANCE THE CLINICAL EXPERTISE OF THE PRACTICING SANE AND SUPPORT THE PREVENTION OF VICARIOUS TRAUMA. UNDER CATEGORY 2, THIS PROGRAM WILL FUND ONE APPLICANT TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) TO CATEGORY 1 GRANTEES.

16.582 - Crime Victim Assistance/Discretionary Grants

Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) [DOJ - OJP]

Elkridge, Maryland 21075-6740 United States

Single Zip Code

OVC FY 2022 Expanding Access to Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations (O-OVC-2022-171306)

Termination This cooperative agreement was reported as terminated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in July 2025. See All
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 09/30/25 to 09/30/26 and the total obligations have increased 49% from $999,833 to $1,488,745.