Culturally Specific Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Discretionary Grant

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Administration for Children and Families (ACF) PERFORMANCE PROGRESS REPORT (PPR)
ACF−Culturally Specific Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CSDVSA)−OFVPS
COVER PAGE INSTRUCTIONS
Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services (OFVPS)
Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) Program
Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Number
Data Element
Instructions
1.
Awarding Federal Agency & Organizational Element to Which Report is Submitted
Enter the name of the awarding federal agency and organizational element identified in the award document or as otherwise instructed by the agency. The organizational element is the sub-agency within an awarding federal agency.
2.
Federal Grant/Other Identifying Number Assigned by Awarding Federal Agency
Enter the grant number/award referenced in the award document.
3. (a-b)
Data Universal Numbering System Employer (DUNS) and Identification Number (EIN)
Enter the recipient organization's Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number or Central Contract Registry extended DUNS number and EIN provided by the Internal Revenue Services (IRS).
4.
Recipient Organization
Enter the name and complete address, including zip code.
5. 
Recipient Identifying Number/Account Number
Enter the account number or any other identifying number assigned by the recipient to the award. This number is strictly for the recipient’s use only and is not required by the awarding federal agency.
6.
Project Reporting Period
Enter the ending date of the reporting period. For quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports, the following calendar quarter period end dates should be used: 3/31; 6/30; 9/30; and 12/31. For final PPRs, the reporting period end date should be the end date of the project/grant period. The frequency of required reporting is usually established in the award.
7. 
Report Status
Mark appropriate box. Check whether this is the semi-final or final report for the project/grant period in Box 6.
8. (a-e) 
Certification 
Fill in the appropriate information to certify the report, including name, signature, telephone number, email address and date.


Culturally Specific Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Discretionary Grant
PERFORMANCE PROGRESS REPORT (PPR)
ACF-CSDVSA-OFVPS PPR COVER PAGE
Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services
Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA)Program
Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

1. Federal Agency and Organization Element
to Which Report is Submitted

ACF-CSDVSA-OFVPS 
2. Federal Grant or Other Identifying
Number Assigned by Federal Agency


[Enter text here] 
 
3a. DUNS Number

[Enter text here]


3b. EIN

[Enter text here]
4. Recipient Organization 
(Name and Complete Address, Including Zip Code)

[Enter text here]

5. Recipient Identifying Number or
Account Number

[Enter text here]

6. Project Reporting Period
Start date:				End date:
[Enter text here]			[Enter text here]
7. Report Status 
Semi-Final [ ]  
Final [ ] 

8. Certification: I certify to the best of my knowledge and belief that this report is correct and complete for performance of activities for the purposes set forth in the award documents.
8a. Typed or Printed Name and Title of Authorized Certifying Official

[Enter text here]
8c. Telephone (Area Code, Number and
Extension)
[Enter text here]


8d. Email Address
[Enter text here]
8b. Signature of Authorized Certifying Official

[Enter text here]

8e. Date Report Submitted 
(Month, Day, Year)

[Enter text here]



General Instructions for Quantitative Data Tables 
Complete the tables in Sections 1–5 below with data from the relevant reporting period. 

Quantitative data sections include: 
    1. Allowable Services Provided to Culturally Specific Populations
    2. Demographics
    3. Workforce Information 
    4. Other Services Provided
    5. Survivor Outcomes

If you would like to provide additional context on the services your organization provided in Sections 1–5, please refer to Section 6: Narrative Descriptions toward the end of the PPR.

Section 1: Allowable Services Provided to Underserved Populations
Table 1.1 Use of Grant Funding by Type – Domestic Violence Services versus Sexual Assault Services versus Dual Services
Please use the chart below to indicate which category or categories of services your organization provides with Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) grant funding.

Category
Services Provided (mark with an X if provided)
Domestic Violence Services Only 

Sexual Assault Services Only

Dual Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services



Table 1.2 Outcomes: Quantifiable Expected Goals Versus Completed Goals
Please complete the chart below to indicate the progress your organization has made toward one or more expected goals and provide a brief description of the associated outcome. Please note that these goals should align to the goals your organization created in your grant application.

When completing this table, enter only full numerical values. Ranges (e.g., 30–45) or text values (e.g., thirty to forty-five) will not be accepted. In addition, please use the mandatory narrative section “Significant and impactful outcomes resulting from activities” at the end of this document to describe the activities that resulted in the most significant and impactful outcomes for the individuals you serve. The narrative section is specifically appropriate for organizational goals that are not quantifiable or require additional context. You will also outline future activities planned in the narrative section “Activities planned for next reporting period” at the end of this document. 

Expected Goal Description
Goal
Progress this Period
Remaining
Outcome Description
Example 1: 50 survivors referred to therapy via behavioral health screening 
50
15
35
Of 30 survivors engaged in behavioral health screening, 15 were referred to therapy and 8 successfully enrolled 
Example 2: All 20 project partners demonstrate increased knowledge of culturally specific dynamics of family violence 
20
10
10
Of 20 total project partners, 10 participated in culturally specific dynamics learning activities and of those who participated, 100% demonstrated increased knowledge based on pre- and post-activity knowledge checks
Expected Goal Description




Expected Goal Description




Expected Goal Description




Expected Goal Description




Expected Goal Description




Table 1.3 Services Provided
Please complete the table below to indicate which services your organization provided to survivors and their dependents, the number of individuals who were provided the service. Definitions of the Service Provided categories in this table are available for reference in the Section 6: Terms and Definitions table. 

Note that survivors can be counted across multiple services. For example, if Survivor A received legal advocacy, housing assistance, and culturally specific healing practices, count them once in each of those three areas. Enter only full numerical values. Ranges (e.g., 30–45) or text values (e.g., thirty to forty-five) will not be accepted. If the service was not provided, enter “0.” 

Table 1.4 Service Referrals
Please complete the table below to indicate the number of incoming and outgoing service referrals for survivors and their dependents. Note that survivors and/or their dependents can be counted across multiple referral areas if they received multiple referrals. Enter only full numerical values. Ranges (e.g., 30–45) or text values (e.g., thirty to forty-five) will not be accepted. If the referral was not provided, enter “0.” 

Section 2: Demographics
Table 2.1 Race/Ethnicity
Please report the total number of survivors and their dependents who were supported by Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) grant funding by race/ethnicity. Clients may self-identify in more than one category, (e.g., White and Hispanic) and should be represented as “multiracial”. 

Enter only full numerical values. Ranges (e.g., 30–45) or text values (e.g., thirty to forty-five) will not be accepted. If the racial or ethnic group was not represented, enter “0.” Definitions for the categories in this table are available for reference in the Section 7: Terms and Definitions table.

Survivors and Dependents Served Who Are: 
Total Number
American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN)

Asian

Black or African American

Hispanic or Latino

Middle Eastern or North African

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

White

Multi-Racial (Individuals who identify as more than one race and/or ethnicity)


Table 2.2 Age (In Years)
Please report the total number of survivors and their dependents who were supported by FVPSA grant funding by age range. Enter only full numerical values. Ranges (e.g., 30–45) or text values (e.g., thirty to forty-five) will not be accepted. If the age group was not represented, enter “0.” 
Age (In Years)
Total Number
0–12 

13–17 

Unknown Child Age

18–24 

25–59 

60 + 

Unknown Adult Age

Not Collected (Organization did not collect this data)


Table 2.3 (a-b) Sex 
In tables 2.3a-b, please report the total number of survivors and their dependents who were supported by FVPSA grant funding by their sex . 

In tables 2.3c-d, please report the total number of survivors and their dependents in the noted underserved populations for both services received and service referrals. 

Enter only full numerical values. Ranges (e.g., 30–45) or text values (e.g., thirty to forty-five) will not be accepted. If the listed identity group was not represented, enter “0.” 

Table 2.3a Sex 
Sex 
Total Number
Female

Male

Prefer not to say

Information not provided





Table 2.3b Services Provided for people who identified with sexual orientation

Table 2.3c Services Referred for people who identified with sexual orientation


Table 2.4 Underserved Populations 
The categories below are in accordance with FVPSA 42 U.S.C. § 10402, which require the provision of services to underserved populations of survivors and their dependents.

Please report the total number of survivors and their dependents who were supported by FVPSA grant funding who belong to any of the below categories. Note that survivors and their dependents can be counted across multiple categories. For example, if a survivor needs language access services and has a history of substance use, they would be counted in both categories. Enter only full numerical values. Ranges (e.g., 30–45) or text values (e.g., thirty to forty-five) will not be accepted. If the “Other” populations group was not represented, enter “0.”

Category
Total Number
People experiencing homelessness/housing instability

People who are low income or very low income

People who are currently incarcerated

People who are elders

People with physical disabilities (includes those who are deaf or hard of hearing)

People with cognitive disabilities

People who need language access services (please provide information in Table 2.5)

People who are immigrants





People who are experiencing substance misuse issues

People who are experiencing mental health issues

People who do not have health insurance 

People who are migratory/seasonal agricultural workers

People who are Veterans/military spouses/active duty 

People who live in rural communities

People who are victims of trafficking

People who need social services (TANF, WIC, Child Support, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program [LIHEAP])

People who need economic education or support services (credit repair, matched savings, or arears/debt relief)

Other not listed (provide examples and count):



Table. 2.5 Languages Spoken by Survivors and/or their Dependents Who Require Language Services
The categories below are in accordance with FVPSA 42 U.S.C. 10412 (c)(2), which requires the provision of age-appropriate and culturally and linguistically appropriate services, to the survivors and children; and FVPSA 42 U.S.C. § 10402, which requires the provision of services to underserved populations of survivors and their dependents.

Please report the number of survivors and/or their dependents needing language services, based on their primary language(s) spoken. If an individual needs support for more than one language, please include them in counts for each language they speak. If survivors and/or their dependents speak other languages not listed here, please indicate the language(s) and the total number in the “Other” row. Enter only full numerical values. Ranges (e.g., 30–45) or text values (e.g., thirty to forty-five) will not be accepted. If the language group was not represented, enter “0.”

NOTE: If survivors and/or their dependents spoke another language other than English but did not need language access services, do not count them in the table.

Language - Please specify languages and count
Total # of Individuals Needing Language Services
______________

__________________

_________________

 __________________

_________________

__________________

 _____________

__________

 ______________












Section 3: Workforce Information 
Table 3.1 Breakdown of Full-Time Equivalents (FTE) Across Grant Categories 
Please use the chart below to indicate the total staff full-time equivalents (FTE) paid using FVPSA funding. One FTE is equal to the number of hours a full-time employee works for an organization. FTE Planned refers to planned/expected staff, while FTE Staffed refers to actual staff hired. Each full-time paid staff member should equal 1 and each part-time paid staff member should equal 0.5. For employees paid across categories, use decimals (e.g., 0.25, 0.50, etc.) to refer to the amount of time spent across grant categories. For example, if you have one employee dedicated 0.5 FTE to work on the CSDVSA grant and their time is split equally performing both Outreach and Finance, they would be counted in both categories. In this case, write 0.25 in the Total FTE column for Outreach and 0.25 for Finance. Enter only numerical values; ranges (e.g., 30–45), text values (e.g., thirty to forty-five), and percentages (50%) will not be accepted.

If your organization had staff working across additional categories, please indicate the specific type of service and the total number of staff in the “Other” row. 

NOTE: If no grant funds were allocated toward FTEs, please enter zeroes in each category.

Category
Total FTE Planned 
Total FTE Staffed
Direct Services


Evaluator Services


Finance


Grant funds were not allocated toward FTEs


Outreach


Program/Project Management


Other not listed:
(Please specify category or categories here and the total count planned and staffed)


Total FTE 




Table 3.2 Workforce Capacity Building Implemented with CSDSVA Grant Funds
Please indicate which of the below capacity building activities were implemented with FVPSA funding. If your organization implemented additional capacity building activities through use of FVPSA funding, please indicate the capacity building activity in the “Other” row. 

Workforce Capacity Building Activity Type
Activity Provided 
(mark with an X if provided)
Provide # of Staff FTE Impacted 
(if available)
Conferences and seminars funded
(national conferences on DV/SA, etc.)


Culturally specific trainings and workshops
(trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, advocacy training, etc.)


Hazard pay


Hired additional FVPSA-funded staff 


Hired bilingual/culturally sensitive staff 


Hired data collection staff/consultant


Hired program evaluators


Hiring bonus


Housing/rental assistance


Paid interns


Professional development (e.g., certification programs, online learning)


Provided health/wellness services (e.g., health insurance, prescriptions, chiropractic care, vision, dental, etc.)


Staff retention activities (e.g., pay increase, childcare assistance, commuting/transportation assistance)


Other not listed: 
(Please specify activity or activities and total count of staff impacted)




Section 4: Other Services Provided 
Table 4.1 Training/Technical Assistance
Please indicate areas in which you have provided training/technical assistance by including the total number of individuals (survivors and their dependents or individuals at organizations/
service providers) in that area in the right column of the table. If your organization provided other forms of training/technical assistance, please indicate the type as well as the total number of individuals trained in the “Other” row. Enter only full numerical values. Ranges (e.g., 30–45) or text values (e.g., thirty to forty-five) will not be accepted. If the training area was not provided, enter “0.” 

For example: If there were 10 total individuals (survivors and their dependents or individuals at organizations/service providers) trained on adolescent/teen relationship abuse, but there were not any individuals trained on elder abuse, enter a “10” for adolescent/teen relationship abuse and a “0” for elder abuse. Note that one individual can be trained across multiple areas and therefore would be entered multiple times. 

Training Area
# Individuals Trained
Access to services

Adolescent/teen relationship abuse

Child custody issues

Child welfare

Civil legal issues (includes family court response, civil legal assistance)

Data collection and evaluation

Dating violence

Disabilities (includes those who are deaf/hard of hearing)

Domestic violence

Economic empowerment

Elder abuse

Employment and job training

Engaging men and boys

Evidence- and practice-based interventions/trauma-informed practice

Faith/religion

Housing assistance/navigation

Underserved communities

Parenting programs

Program development

Public benefits (TANF, SNAP, WIC, etc.)

Immigrant survivor response

Research

Runaway/homeless youth

Rural communities (includes those living in remote areas)

Safety planning

Sexual assault

Stalking

Substance abuse

Trafficking

Trauma-informed care

Tribal justice issues

Wellness

Other not listed: 
(Please specify training area(s) here and the total count)


Table 4.2 Partnership/Community Outreach
Please indicate which organizations, agencies, etc. you have completed partnership/outreach activities with by indicating the total number of partnerships/activities completed during the grant period in the right column of the table. Note that prevention services to culturally specific communities that increase access to sexual assault and domestic violence services are also considered partnership/community outreach activities.

If your organization provided other forms of partnership/outreach, please indicate the type as well as the total number of activities in the “Other” row. Enter only full numerical values. Ranges (e.g., 30–45) or text values (e.g., thirty to forty-five) will not be accepted. If the organization was not represented, enter “0.” 

In addition, if you have developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Letter of Agreement with any of these types of organizations, please also indicate that in the final column with an X.

Organizations & Communities
# of Partnership/ Outreach Activities
Check [X] if MOU/Letter of Agreement Developed
Childcare centers


Community-based activists, sexual assault and domestic violence service providers and survivors, rape crisis centers/sexual assault programs


Community-based organizations (CBOs) 


Domestic violence programs


Domestic violence shelters 


Faith-based organizations (churches, mosques, temples, etc.)


General public


Homeless shelters


Hospitals and health clinics


Housing programs


Human trafficking organizations


Immigration services


Jails and prisons


Legal aid organizations


Organizations serving underserved populations


Local and state public health authorities/departments


Local businesses/corporate partners 


Local departments of social services


Local law enforcement agencies


Local schools and colleges/universities


Media outlets


Mental health/behavioral health organizations


Organizations that support refugees and immigrants


Other local and state government agencies


Sex trafficking organizations


Social service non-profit organizations


Substance abuse rehabilitation centers


Tribal organizations


Tribes


Urban Indian organizations


Youth-serving organizations


Other not listed:
(Please specify other types of organization(s) here and the total count of activities and MOU details to the right)




Section 5: Survivor Outcomes
Table 5.1 Survivor Outcomes
Please complete the table below to indicate the percentage of survivors receiving FVPSA funded services that reported the below outcomes. Please note that survivor percentages are counted separately across the two outcomes. If the outcome was not reported, enter “NA”.

Survivor-Centered Outcome Metrics
Total Percentage
For this reporting period, please provide the percentage of survivors receiving FVPSA-funded services that reported increased knowledge of safety planning

For this reporting period, please provide the percentage of survivors receiving FVPSA-funded services that reported increased knowledge of community resources

Section 6: Narrative Descriptions 
In this section you will provide additional narrative information regarding how your organization designed, implemented, and sustained activities that add value to the CSDVSA program’s intended outcomes. Note that the first five narrative descriptions are required and the last is optional. Please type your questions directly into the space provided, avoid restating the question in your responses and avoid uploading narrative descriptions as attachments. Please limit your responses to 500 words, if possible.

Required Narrative Descriptions
Survivor Stories: Provide examples of the experiences of survivors you served based on the services you provided for them, and their associated impact. You may include stories and/or anecdotes to contextualize your work. 


Significant and Impactful Outcomes Resulting from Culturally Specific Activities: Briefly describe a significant and impactful activity your organization accomplished, based on culturally specific practices. This could include but is not limited to additional information on survivor-centered outcomes not already addressed in your report, reduction in trauma symptoms, less violence, more confidence in being able to support children, reunification numbers, reduction in parenting stress, parent/child relationship changes, skill development for providers, etc. 


Describe Programmatic Succes and Accomplishments Since the Implementation of Your Activities. Please include narratives such as community partnerships, innovative and or unique programming and services, best practices, etc. Particular areas of interest are successes related to intersections with foster care and technology-facilitated abuses.


Barriers and Challenges Faced During this Reporting Period: Briefly describe any barriers and/or challenges your organization faced this reporting period. Please describe how you overcame those barriers and challenges, including any pivots in your approach. Please write directly in the space provided and avoid using a table. 


 
Progress on Accessibility Plans: Briefly describe your progress this reporting period on your organization’s Accessibility Plan. Include details that demonstrate the processes and policies the organization has put in place to ensure the proactive identification of systemic barriers to opportunities and benefits for people with disabilities and other underserved populations. You may also use this section to discuss any time spent toward policy or systems-level change. 



** Optional Narrative Description

Activities Planned for Next Reporting Period: Briefly describe any activities planned for the next reporting period that align with the terms of the cooperative agreement as outlined in the Award Letter. Please list planned activities directly in the space provided and avoid using a table. 


Sustainability: How will the termination of your grant award affect your organization’s ability to continue providing culturally specific DV and SA services? Please describe anticipated impacts on service availability, staffing, and any community partnerships established through your project.



Key Lessons Learned: Briefly describe the knowledge and insights gained through your grant both positive and negative, reflecting on the entire project, activities, experiences, and/or situations that worked well and may have not worked so well.


Context on Data Tables: Please provide any context you feel is necessary as it relates to the completed quantitative data tables throughout Sections 1–4 of the PPR. If providing additional context, please include the section of the PPR (Allowable Services, Demographics, Workforce Information, Training/Technical Assistance, etc.) to which the additional context refers. 


Section 7: Terms and Definitions
Please refer to the definitions below when completing the relevant data tables.
CSDVSA PPR Allowable Activity Terms
Term
Definitions and/or Examples
Crisis intervention
“Process by which a person identifies, assesses, and intervenes with an individual in crisis so as to restore balance and reduce the effects of the crisis in their life. In this category, report crisis intervention that occurs in person and/or over the telephone with an established client. This is typically short-term to intervene in a crisis.” (State and Tribal FVPSA Grantees PPR)
Culturally specific services
“Culturally specific services mean community-based services that include culturally relevant and linguistically specific services and resources to culturally specific communities, which are primarily directed toward racial and ethnic minority groups (American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiians/Other Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, etc.). 

This underserved populations definition also includes other population categories determined by the Secretary [of Health and Human Services] or the Secretary’s designee to be underserved.” (House.gov)
Dating violence
“Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.” (Office on Violence Against Women)
Domestic violence
“Felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws or jurisdiction receiving grant monies; or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction.” (House.gov)
Evidence based
“Evidence-based practices in policymaking include identifying existing solutions, scaling up practices that are working, and designing solutions with regular input of the individuals and communities to be served.” (House.gov)
Family violence
“Any act or threatened act of violence, including any forceful detention of an individual, which: (a) results in or threatens to result in physical injury, and (b) is committed by a person against another individual (including an elderly person) to whom such person is, or was, related by blood or marriage, or otherwise legally related, or with whom such person is, or was, lawfully residing.” (Legal Information Institute)
Housing assistance 
“The term [“housing assistance”] means, with respect to federally assisted housing, the grant, contribution, capital advance, loan, mortgage insurance, or other assistance provided for the housing under the provisions of law referred to in paragraph (2). The term also includes any related assistance provided for the housing by the Secretary, including any rental assistance for low-income occupants.” (Legal Information Institute)
Individual or group counseling/support group
“Counseling or support provided by a volunteer, staff, advocate, etc.” (State and Tribal FVPSA Grantees PPR)
Legal advocacy
“Assisting a client with civil legal issues, including preparing paperwork for protection orders; accompanying a client to a protection order hearing, or other civil proceeding; and all other advocacy within the civil justice system. This also includes accompanying a client to an administrative hearing, such as unemployment, Social Security, TANF, or food stamp hearing. Assisting a client with criminal legal issues, including notifying the client of case status, hearing dates, plea agreements, and sentencing terms; preparing paperwork such as victim impact statements; accompanying a client to a criminal court proceeding or law enforcement interview; and all other advocacy within the criminal justice system.” (State and Tribal FVPSA Grantees PPR)
Medical advocacy
“Includes accompanying a domestic violence victim to, or meeting a victim at, a hospital, clinic, or medical office.” (State and Tribal FVPSA Grantees PPR)
Mobile Advocacy
“Mobile advocacy allows advocates/program staff to work within the community to support domestic violence and sexual assault survivors wherever it is safe and convenient for the survivor.” (CSDVSA NOFO, 2023)
Sexual assault
“For the purposes of this announcement, [“sexual assault”] means any nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by federal, tribal, or state law, including when the victim lacks capacity to consent.” (Office on Violence Against Women)
Supportive services
“For the purposes of this announcement, [“supportive services”] is defined as services for adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault and their dependents that are designed to meet the needs of such victims and their dependents for short-term, transitional, or long-term safety and recovery. 

Supportive services include, but are not limited to, the following: direct and/or provide referral-based advocacy on behalf of victims and their dependents, counseling, case management, employment services, referrals, transportation services, legal advocacy or assistance, childcare services, health, behavioral health and preventive health services, culturally and linguistically appropriate services, and other services that assist victims and their dependents in recovering from the effects of the violence.” (Code of Federal Regulations)
Trauma
Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being. (SAHMSA)
Trauma-Informed
Trauma-informed care acknowledges the need to understand a patient’s life experiences in order to deliver effective care and has the potential to improve patient engagement, treatment adherence, health outcomes, and provider and staff wellness. (SAHMSA)
Underserved population
The term “underserved populations” has the meaning given in the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) 42 U.S. Code § 10402(14).

“The term "underserved populations" includes populations underserved because of geographic location, underserved racial and ethnic populations, populations underserved because of special needs (such as language barriers, disabilities, alienage status, or age), and any other population determined to be underserved by the Attorney General or by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as appropriate.” 



Race and Ethnicity Terms 

Term
Definitions and/or Examples
American Indian or Alaska Native
“Individuals with origins in any of the original peoples of North, Central, and South America, including, for example, Navajo Nation, Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana, Native Village of Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government, Nome Eskimo Community, Aztec, and Maya.” (Census.gov)
Asian
“Individuals with origins in any of the original peoples of Central or East Asia, Southeast Asia, or South Asia, including, for example, Chinese, Asian Indian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese.” (Census.gov)
Black or African American
“Individuals with origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa, including, for example, African American, Jamaican, Haitian, Nigerian, Ethiopian, and Somali.” (Census.gov)
Note from OFVPS: This refers to the original peoples of black racial groups of Africa. 
Hispanic or Latino
“Includes individuals of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Cuban, Dominican, Guatemalan, and other Central or South American or Spanish culture or origin.” (Census.gov)
Middle Eastern or North African (MENA)
“Individuals with origins in any of the original peoples of the Middle East or North Africa, including, for example, Lebanese, Iranian, Egyptian, Syrian, Iraqi, and Israeli.” (Census.gov)
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
“Individuals with origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands, including, for example, Native Hawaiian, Samoan, Chamorro, Tongan, Fijian, and Marshallese.” (Census.gov)
White
“Individuals with origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, including, for example, English, German, Irish, Italian, Polish, and Scottish.” (Census.gov)
Multiracial and/or Multiethnic
“This term is used when presenting data for individuals who identify with multiple race/ethnicity minimum reporting categories (American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Middle Eastern or North African, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and White).” (Census, 2024) (U.S. Census Bureau, n.d. ; Marks et al., 2024)