Juvenile Behavioral Health Competitive Grant Pilot Program

The Juvenile Behavioral Health Competitive Grant Pilot Program was established by Indiana Code § 31-40-6-5 to strengthen community-level responses to youth behavioral health needs, particularly in rural areas. Administered at the state level, this program seeks to divert children from formal court involvement and out-of-home placements by facilitating access to community and school-based mental health treatment. Grant funds support the use of validated mental health screening tools and full assessments where necessary, enabling early and comprehensive intervention for at-risk youth. The scope of allowable activities under the grant is broad and centers on collaborative and community-based approaches. Funded activities may include partnering with law enforcement to create diversion programs, establishing mobile crisis units and crisis stabilization services, delivering intensive case management for families in crisis, and implementing or enhancing telehealth infrastructure. Programs that provide mental health evaluations using telehealth, strengthen local treatment options, or engage in regional collaborative service planning are prioritized. Applicants are required to specify target populations and ensure alignment between proposed activities and the program’s overarching diversion and treatment objectives. Eligibility is open to public entities, nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, and units of state and local government that serve youth involved in or at risk of entering the juvenile justice system. All applicants must meet prequalification standards related to good standing with Indiana state agencies and, for nongovernmental applicants, must present a memorandum of understanding with a referring entity. Each grantee is expected to collaborate with a local Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council (JRAC) or a similar stakeholder body to guide planning and implementation, with an emphasis on rural impact and efficiency through regional service models. Funded projects must be operational within 60 days of the start date, October 1, 2025, and conclude no later than September 30, 2027. Performance reporting is mandatory on a monthly or quarterly basis, with a final aggregate report due at the grant cycle's end. Data must be maintained at the case level to support research and evaluation, as outlined by the Youth Justice Oversight Committee. The grant emphasizes evidence-based or promising practices and allows flexibility in program design, provided fidelity is maintained. While a wide range of operational and service delivery costs are eligible, including staff time, planning meetings, and linguistic or medical advocacy, the program explicitly prohibits costs related to lobbying, fundraising, real estate purchases, vehicle acquisition, and indirect costs. The program is not currently open for applications.

Programs should use validated assessment tools and prioritize evidence-based models with fidelity to best practices.