Children in Need of Services Grants Program 2026

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) of Georgia, designated by the Governor as the State Administering Agency for criminal justice and victims’ assistance programs, has announced the FY2026 Children in Need of Services (CHINS) Grants Program. This opportunity is supported through federal funding provided by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) under the U.S. Department of Justice (CFDA 16.540). It aims to offer financial support to local jurisdictions across the state of Georgia in their efforts to develop and enhance programs that prevent juvenile justice system involvement and offer community-based interventions as alternatives to detention for at-risk youth. The purpose of this grant is to strengthen services for youth aged 11–17 who have been identified as CHINS—Children in Need of Services—through programming that reduces risk factors and promotes positive development. Eligible applicants include county commissions, city governments, and school districts within Georgia. Emphasis is placed on partnerships between agencies, such as collaborations between juvenile courts and schools or law enforcement, and priority consideration is given to those partnering with school systems to reduce violence and support mental health. All funded programs must be evidence-supported or evidence-based. The grant supports both new and expanded programs, but funding should primarily be directed toward direct services rather than administrative costs. Funding for rural applicants is capped at $50,000, while non-rural applicants may apply for up to $100,000. This is a competitive grant, with the final amount determined by CJCC in consultation with the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Group (SAG). The award period runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This is a federal reimbursement grant subject to federal guidelines, and no matching funds are required. Grantees will be selected and notified no later than September 25, 2025, and successful applicants must accept or reject the award within 45 days. A mandatory subgrantee workshop will also be held. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2025, and must be submitted through CJCC’s grants management portal at https://grantsportal.cjcc.ga.gov/. Applicants must ensure their submission is complete, using the required format and including all attachments such as budget worksheets, a CHINS process map, and job descriptions if personnel funding is requested. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Evaluation criteria include application completeness, demonstration of measurable standards, a strong needs justification with data, and appropriate budget correlation to project goals. Only applications received by the deadline will be reviewed. Allowable expenses under the grant include programming costs related to CHINS prevention, training, supplies, travel, and partial personnel costs. However, certain expenses such as office space, food, utilities, vehicles, and construction are not permitted. Supplanting existing funding is also prohibited. Performance measurement and quarterly reporting through the DOJ's Performance Measurement Tool (PMT) are required. Additionally, grantees will undergo risk assessments and site visits and must maintain separate accounting for grant funds, including detailed records and receipts. Programmatically, the grant aims to prevent further juvenile justice involvement among CHINS youth by enhancing access to support services like life skills training, job preparation, family reintegration, and community engagement. Applicants must clearly identify their target population (e.g., truants, runaways), provide relevant local data, and describe assessment tools for determining service eligibility. They must also detail their goals, projected outcomes, referral and intake process, family engagement strategies, and plans for sustainability. Questions may be directed to Stephanie Mikkelsen at Smikkelsen@cjcc.ga.gov. The solicitation was released on June 16, 2025.

Submit early, follow the format exactly, incomplete applications will not be reviewed.