BJA FY25 Veterans Treatment Court Program

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a component of the Office of Justice Programs within the U.S. Department of Justice, has announced the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) Program to support state and local efforts in assisting justice-involved veterans. The VTC program is designed to connect high-risk/high-need veterans who suffer from substance use disorders (SUDs), mental health disorders (MHDs), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) with the treatment and recovery services they need. This initiative addresses the growing recognition that veterans may experience unique behavioral health challenges resulting from military service, which can intersect with criminal justice involvement. The VTC program operates within judicially supervised court settings and is focused on reducing recidivism and overdose fatalities while fostering long-term recovery outcomes through comprehensive behavioral health treatment and support systems. The funding opportunity is structured into three distinct categories based on program maturity and scope. Category 1 supports jurisdictions in the planning and implementation phases, offering up to $950,000 over four years to establish or launch a VTC. This category focuses on building core operational capacity and providing critical treatment, case management, judicial oversight, and support services. Category 2 targets enhancement of already operational VTCs, allowing for up to $1,000,000 to scale existing services, enhance operations, or expand treatment access. Category 3, with a ceiling of $2,500,000, is aimed at statewide efforts to support or expand VTC capacity across multiple jurisdictions. State agencies can utilize these funds to conduct policy audits, improve data systems, enhance statewide coordination, and address service disparities between urban and rural regions. Each award under the program is anticipated to last for 48 months, beginning October 1, 2025, with a total program funding pool of approximately $26 million. There is no cost share or match requirement for this funding opportunity. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, township, and tribal governments for Categories 1 and 2. Category 3 is limited to state agencies, such as the State Administering Agency (SAA), criminal justice or behavioral health agencies, or other state-level organizations with a role in delivering mental health or substance use treatment. Applicants must demonstrate legal authority to operate a VTC and show evidence of coordination with key stakeholders, such as judicial offices, treatment providers, and veterans outreach personnel. All applicants must ensure early and accurate identification of eligible veteran participants and provide timely access to treatment services, including during pretrial incarceration when possible. Applications must follow a two-step submission process. First, applicants must submit the SF-424 form through Grants.gov by April 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Then, the full application, including attachments and narratives, must be submitted through JustGrants by May 4, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET. The proposal must include a project narrative (maximum 20 pages) with clearly defined goals, measurable objectives, a description of the project design and timeline, and an explanation of how the VTC will ensure appropriate service delivery. A budget detail form, Memoranda of Understanding (for applicable Categories 1 and 2), and additional documentation such as resumes, letters of support, and subaward management plans (for Category 3) are also required. Tribal applicants may need to provide authorizing documentation. Proposals will be evaluated for technical merit based on need, goals and objectives, design and implementation, organizational capabilities, sustainability planning, and budget clarity. Priority consideration will be given to projects that support law enforcement, address violent crime, serve American victims of trafficking or sexual assault, or meet specific public safety criteria such as enforcement of laws against open drug use and urban camping. The BJA anticipates making approximately 20 awards under this solicitation. Notification of awards will occur after the May submission deadline and the review process, with all award packages available in JustGrants. Award recipients will be required to submit quarterly financial and performance reports. These reports will track progress toward reducing recidivism, increasing access to treatment, and improving participant outcomes. Performance metrics, collected through the Performance Measurement Tool (PMT), will inform future policy and program decisions. The program does not permit the use of funds for activities that violate federal immigration or civil rights laws. Additionally, recipients must adhere to federal rules governing financial management, civil rights compliance, indirect costs, and procurement practices. This is a one-time funding opportunity under the FY25 cycle, although similar programs may be available in future fiscal years based on congressional appropriations.

Clearly document your legal authority to operate a VTC and your plan for identifying eligible veteran participants early (including use of VRSS or SQUARES). Weak or missing MOUs can reduce competitiveness.