Just Communities Arizona (JCA) is seeking proposals from community-based organizations to implement Justice Investment Programming, funded through the Maricopa County Department of Public Health's (MCDPH) allocation of Justice Reinvestment Funds. This initiative is rooted in the Justice Reinvestment Fund, which receives 10% of all state tax revenues from recreational marijuana sales. Of these funds, 35% are distributed to county public health departments, proportional to their population, specifically for justice reinvestment programs or grants to qualified nonprofit organizations to provide such programs. JCA acts as the intermediary, facilitating the distribution of these funds to local organizations that align with the mission of addressing the impacts of high rates of arrest and incarceration.
The program primarily targets historically under-resourced neighborhoods, communities heavily impacted by high rates of arrest and incarceration and violence, currently or formerly incarcerated individuals, Indigenous communities, people experiencing homelessness, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants/refugees, people who use drugs, and those with mental illness or other disabilities. The overarching impact goals are to reduce or prevent violence, decrease rates of recidivism, arrest, or incarceration, increase community safety, strengthen communities through economic development, improve access to housing and workforce development, enhance common outdoor spaces, and improve the health and wellness of low-income and marginalized populations.
The grant program focuses on four priority areas. The first is Community-Based Direct Services, which includes activities like re-entry support, transitional housing, diversion programs, case management, mediation, mentoring, and trauma-informed services. The second priority area emphasizes strengthening communities through small-scale economic development, increasing access to housing (e.g., rental assistance, low-cost home repair), workforce development, bridging social capital, and developing local leaders. The third area centers on increasing the safety, usability, and accessibility of common outdoor spaces through neighborhood beautification, traffic mitigation, and creating or enhancing green spaces. Finally, the fourth priority area aims to improve health and wellness by reducing stigma and increasing access to medical and behavioral healthcare and other wellness activities, such as public health outreach, support groups, healthy food distribution, and harm reduction programs.
Organizations applying for funding are expected to demonstrate how their work addresses at least one of these priority areas. The anticipated outcomes include a measurable reduction in violence and recidivism, improved community safety, enhanced economic opportunities within marginalized communities, increased access to stable housing and employment, more accessible and safer public spaces, and improved health and well-being for vulnerable populations. JCA's strategic priority is to support and empower community-based organizations that are deeply connected to the communities they serve and have a proven track record of positive impact, ensuring that the Justice Reinvestment Funds are effectively utilized to create meaningful and lasting change within Maricopa County. The theory of change posits that by investing in community-led initiatives focused on these key areas, there will be a direct and positive impact on social determinants of health and justice, ultimately fostering more equitable and resilient communities.
