Protecting and Rehabilitating Sexually Exploited Women and Girls Through Long-Term Safe Homes

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health’s Office on Women’s Health is seeking applications for grants to establish and support long-term safe homes for women and girls who have been sexually exploited or abused, with funding available under the Public Health Service Act and authorized by the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2026. These safe homes must provide stable, therapeutic, and around-the-clock residential care for periods lasting months to years, distinct from emergency shelters, and must deliver comprehensive multidisciplinary services addressing physical health, psychological and emotional well-being, social support, and educational or vocational development. Grantees are expected to build and sustain collaborative partnerships with healthcare systems, domestic and sexual violence organizations, law enforcement, behavioral health providers, substance use treatment facilities, and educational institutions to ensure integrated, trauma-informed care and reduce re-traumatization. The program is governed by the Uniform Guidance and HHS-specific award requirements, not the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and will be administered through Grants.gov with applications due by July 19, 2026. Applications must be submitted by organizations with active SAM.gov registrations and Unique Entity Identifiers, and must include required forms including SF-424, SF-424A, SF-LLL, and a Project Abstract Summary, along with a detailed Project Narrative, a single consolidated set of appendices (resumes, organizational charts, MOAs, LOCs), and a complete Budget Package with justification by cost category and documentation of any cost-sharing. Proposals will be evaluated based on eight weighted factors totaling 100 points, including organizational capacity, program design, understanding of the target population, outcomes measurement, facility readiness, partnership strength, sustainability, and budget quality. The evaluation includes mandatory pass/fail gates for responsiveness and risk assessment, evaluating financial stability, management systems, past performance, and audit findings. Selected awardees will receive awards between $1 million and $2 million for a 24-month initial period, with optional competitive funding for a third year, and are required to submit quarterly Federal Financial Reports (SF-425) and performance data aligned with approved outcomes. Compliance with federal regulations on human subjects protection, civil rights, trafficking in persons, data privacy, and debarment is mandatory, and key personnel must be identified and maintained throughout the project. All reporting must adhere to strict standards for accuracy, timeliness, and confidentiality, with final reports due within 120 days of project completion, and continued