Title II Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Formula Grant (JJAC)

The Title II Formula Grant Program, known formally as the Title II Formula (JJAC) and Juvenile State Match Requirement (JSMR) Grant Program, is administered by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP) in Maryland. This program is funded through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), under ALN# 16.540. The program seeks to enhance outcomes for youth within Maryland’s juvenile justice system through evidence-based interventions, developmentally appropriate services, and systemic reform aligned with the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. These funds are part of Maryland’s efforts to align juvenile justice practices with a trauma-informed and youth-centered framework while maintaining compliance with federal requirements that restrict holding juveniles in adult facilities. The primary objective of this grant program is to support community-based initiatives that reduce youth confinement and promote fair, individualized justice. Funding may be used for programs that enhance community services, expand alternatives to incarceration, and reduce racial and ethnic disparities. This includes services to assist with youth transfer hearings back to juvenile court, outreach and technical assistance for Maryland’s judiciary on Interest of Justice (IOJ) Orders, and providing alternative placements for youth charged as adults. Additionally, funds may be used to ensure virtual access for youth hearings, develop data systems between facilities and courts, or support specialized transportation needs for youth placed in juvenile facilities. Eligible applicants for this grant include a wide range of public and nonprofit entities within Maryland, including local and state government agencies, law enforcement, courts, State’s Attorney’s Offices, institutions of higher education, and 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations (including faith-based organizations). Faith-based entities may apply without modifying their religious identity but must ensure that any religious activities are separate from grant-funded services. All applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and maintain an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) throughout the grant cycle. Nonprofits must also provide documentation verifying their tax-exempt status. The anticipated total funding available under this opportunity is up to $745,000. Of this, $585,700 is reserved for six continuation awards for pre-designated programs, while a competitive $200,000 award is available for the Compliance Purpose Area. Continuation awards are limited to grantees with minimal project modifications and are required to demonstrate performance outcomes from prior years. The compliance award is open to all eligible applicants and must be justified with supporting data and proportional cost rationale. The grant requires a 10% cash cost share; exceptions may be requested but require formal approval by the GOCPP Executive Director. Awards are reimbursement-based and distributed quarterly. The application must be submitted online through the GOCPP Grants Management System (GMS). Hard copy submissions will not be accepted. Required application components include a narrative structured into several sections (e.g., organization information, problem statement, goals and objectives, data collection, personnel, budget, and sustainability), a detailed budget and justification, and multiple mandatory uploads such as the Organizational Chart, W-9, proof of nonprofit status (if applicable), Equal Employment Opportunity Form, and financial audit documentation. A full checklist is included in the NOFA and must be followed precisely. Failure to comply with word limits or submit required documents will result in disqualification. A technical assistance session for applicants will be held on February 26, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. via Google Meet. The application window closes on March 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Award notifications are expected in June 2026, with the performance period running from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. This is an annual program and is expected to recur. The projected release for the next NOFA is February, with applications opening in March of each cycle. For assistance with program design or application content, applicants may contact Jennifer Krabill, Deputy Director of the Youth Justice Division. For questions regarding submission or compliance, contacts include Yvette Williams, Grant Monitor, and Genevra Farrare, Fiscal Specialist.

Follow strict word limits; Use outline format; Applications missing checklist items may be disqualified