Children’s Justice Act (CJA) Grant

The FFY2027 Children’s Justice Act (CJA) Grant, administered by the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children Services (DHS/DFCS), supports system-level reforms that enhance how child abuse and neglect cases are managed within the state's civil and criminal legal frameworks. The initiative is designed to reduce trauma for child victims and improve outcomes by funding projects that align with the goals of the federal Children’s Justice Act and the strategic objectives identified by Georgia’s CJA Task Force. Funding originates from the federal Crime Victims Fund and is authorized under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). While the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) manages the fund at the federal level, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families oversees the awarding of grants. In Georgia, DHS/DFCS has been designated to administer the state’s CJA funds and to coordinate with its multidisciplinary CJA Task Force, which helps identify funding priorities through assessments, including the 2024 Three-Year Assessment focused on the quality of legal representation. This funding opportunity targets public entities such as Georgia state agencies, local governments (including courts), nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible. Successful proposals must align with at least one CJA goal, such as improving the investigative, administrative, or judicial handling of abuse cases, supporting pilot programs that enhance legal outcomes, or promoting legal and procedural reforms. Projects should also align with CJA objectives, particularly those that aim to improve investigative protocols, legal responses, and representation quality, especially for children with special needs or complex health conditions. Approximately $600,000 is available for distribution during this funding cycle, with individual awards capped at $100,000. All funds must be used for systemic improvements—not for direct services, treatment, or prevention programs. Reimbursement is performance-based and requires quarterly reporting, with final programmatic and financial reporting due shortly after the contract period ends on September 30, 2027. Proposals must be submitted via the secure portal [https://theproposalsolution.com](https://theproposalsolution.com) no later than Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (EST). Additionally, attendance at the mandatory informational webinar on March 6, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. is required for all prospective applicants. Pre-registration is necessary to attend the webinar. The application process requires a full proposal package, including a cover sheet, narrative, timeline, logic model, budget documents, and various compliance forms depending on the applicant’s organizational status. Review and award decisions will be made by the CJA Task Force and DHS/DFCS, with notifications expected between May 1–15, 2026. Contracts begin on October 1, 2026, and project activities must be completed by September 30, 2027. CJA grant conditions, including drug-free workplace policies, non-lobbying restrictions, and adherence to state/federal reporting standards, apply to all awardees. All proposals must adhere to the legislative and programmatic requirements set forth in the FFY2027 FOA and must clearly demonstrate how proposed activities support both federal CJA goals and Georgia-specific Task Force priorities.