In summer/early fall of 2025, CCASA joined other state coalitions as well as youth and housing/homelessness organizations in two lawsuits (RICADV v. Blanche and RICADV v. Kennedy) challenging new conditions requiring recipients of key federal grants supporting victim services to certify they are not supporting and will not support diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs, discuss “gender ideology,” and serve undocumented immigrants, even when those services are required by law or essential to survivor care. Both cases have now been resolved with the Court vacating the challenged conditions.
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) established a federal commitment to supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault by funding critical services through grants administered by the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). Likewise, the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) established a federal commitment to supporting victims of violent crimes by funding critical services through grants administered by the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). For decades, state coalitions and local victim service organizations have relied on these grants to provide trauma-informed care, emergency housing, legal assistance, and more.
Congress also created and authorized other programs within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – such as programs under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act – that have long provided critical support to organizations that serve survivors, families, youth, and unhoused individuals.
CCASA is committed to ensuring funding for these critical services remains accessible to all victims who need them.
Read the August 14, 2026 HHS/HUD decision here.
Read the September 29, 2026 DOJ decision here.