FY 2025 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant Program

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is making approximately $500,000 in federal funds available to local units of government and state agencies. This announcement provides guidance to aid applicants in determining eligibility, developing a program narrative, developing the itemized budget and budget narrative, and completing other related forms. Using the guidance presented in this document, applicants should be able to prepare complete applications efficiently and effectively in the On-line Grant Management System (OGMS).

Purpose
The purpose of the Title II grant program is to “support a continuum of evidence-based or promising programs that are trauma informed, reflect the science of adolescent development, and are designed to meet the needs of youth.” The applicant must present a clear plan for sustainability. Applicants seeking to expand or replicate an existing project must be able to demonstrate progress and success in what has been done through the life of the project.

The following is a non-exclusive list of potential areas for funding:
Community and home-based alternatives to incarceration, which may include: competency building initiatives designed to reduce criminogenic risk factors; respite care for youth who need temporary placement such as crisis intervention or shelter care; prosocial skill activities; and healing centered and family engagement programing.

  • Community based programs designed to include parents, family members and natural supports to strengthen families and to help youth accused of or convicted of delinquent offenses during a period of confinement and with the transition back into the local community. These programs focus on preparing youth for release and providing a continuum of follow-up, post-placement services to promote successful and safe reintegration into the community.
  • Reentry programming, which may include: one-to-one mentoring services; workforce development; educational assistance; transportation services; and family strengthening and reunification services and programs, and may include services for parents with limited English-speaking ability.
  • The implementation of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program within a secure or non-secure juvenile facility, for example, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).
  • Programs that divert youth from entering the juvenile justice system, including restorative justice programs, youth or teen courts, mediation, prosocial skill activities, and developing alternative interventions for status offenders.
  • School-based programs that provide educational supports, e.g., truancy prevention programs aimed at reducing or eliminating the risk of court involvement.
  • Public relations/media strategies, for example, promoting prevention services through media campaigns directed at a specific target audience; specialized product development by youth.