The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to announce the availability of federal American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds for certified regional and independent criminal justice training academies to facilitate and instruct an Option 5 Out-of-State Lateral school/academy.

Regional and independent academies can submit applications requesting up to $100,000 (up to $50,000 per school/academy). The funds can be used to purchase necessary equipment, overtime and/or consultant pay to facilitate each Option 5 school/academy. Each grant funded academy must have a minimum of 6 participants. Priority may be given to academies that offer schools that are open to out of region and/or statewide participation. Grants will be awarded for a six (6) month period January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2023.