SACRAMENTO (April 11, 2019) – A federal grant that would help divert young people toward help and away from the criminal justice system is being launched Friday by the Board of State and Community Corrections.

The Board voted to release two Requests for Proposals for three years of Title II funds, with one specifically aimed at tribal applicants. The amount available in the first year is $3.9 million. The set-aside for the tribal grant is an additional $100,000. The amounts available in the second and third years of the grants are subject to federal appropriation.

The Title II Grant Program is established by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act to support justice system improvement. The California state plan, written by the State Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention, outlines the types of services and treatment that can be funded by the grant: aftercare/reentry; alternatives to detention; community-based programs and services; diversion; mental health services; and mentoring, counseling and training programs.

Applicants must be a government agency, school district, or a federally recognized Indian tribe with law enforcement functions. At least 70 percent of the grant funds must be passed through to direct-service providers. A maximum of $350,000 may be requested, though there is no cap on the tribal set-aside portion. Tribes may apply for both grants.

Diversions services must be trauma-informed, evidence-based or evidence-supported, and culturally relevant.

The Request for Proposals explaining exact requirements will be available on the BSCC website beginning April 12. Proposals are due back on June 7, 2019.

For more information please contact Timothy Polasik at timothy.polasik@bscc.ca.gov or call 916-621-2853

###