Law Justice and Legal Services Grants

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nations state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources. The COPS Office has been appropriated more than $20 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 136,000 officers. COPS Office information resources, covering a wide range of community policing topics such as school and campus safety, violent crime, and officer safety and wellness, can be downloaded via the COPS Offices home page, https://cops.usdoj.gov. The COPS Hiring Program (CHP) provides funding to law enforcement agencies to hire and/or rehire additional career law enforcement officers in an effort to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Anticipated outcomes of CHP awards include engagement in planned community partnerships, implementation of projects to analyze and assess problems, implementation of changes to personnel and agency management in support of community policing, and increased capacity of agency to engage in community policing activities. Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies that support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as violent crime, nonviolent crime, and fear of crime. To read an overview of the principles of community policing, please see the COPS Office publication Community Policing Defined. The COPS Office is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and build trust between law enforcement and the community.

The United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland (UBFGC) has announced the "Community Thrive" grant, a special funding opportunity designed to combat mental health issues and gun violence in the community. This initiative aligns with UBFGC's mission to identify and partner with organizations that are making a positive impact on the devastating effects of these issues, demonstrating a commitment to community well-being and social justice. The grant supports programs, resources, and support services that aim to improve mental health and/or reduce the incidence of gun violence, reflecting a strategic priority to foster a healthier and safer Cuyahoga County. The grant targets organizations serving Cuyahoga County that provide programming to support mental health or gun violence prevention/intervention work. The beneficiaries include youth and adults affected by depression, those at risk of suicide, individuals struggling with school violence/absenteeism, anger management, and social media addiction. In terms of gun violence, the grant aims to support families affected by gun violence, promote gun safety, and address gun culture and laws. The expected impact is a reduction in mental health crises and gun violence incidents, leading to improved community well-being and safety. The "Community Thrive" grant prioritizes projects that impact mental health wellness, including addressing depression, suicide prevention, school violence, anger management, and social media addiction. For gun violence prevention, the grant seeks innovative approaches such as education and awareness campaigns, and community-based interventions that tackle root causes. Specific areas of interest include preventing shootings in schools, universities, religious institutions, and retail locations, as well as supporting affected families. The grant also considers proposals addressing gun culture, gun safety, and gun laws. Applicants must be established organizations with a proven track record of at least three years, demonstrating their impact through data. They must serve Cuyahoga County and provide a minimum of one letter of support. A key criterion is that funding must be utilized for 80% programming and 20% operations and/or marketing. The organization must be a 501(c)(3) or have a fiscal agent, and a one-page strategic plan summary outlining the use of funds is required. The grant does not support one-time events, sponsorships, or fundraising campaigns, emphasizing a focus on sustained programming with a minimum execution period of one year, commencing January 1, 2024. These criteria reflect UBFGC's theory of change, which emphasizes evidence-based, long-term, and community-focused interventions.

The ODAC Grant Program, part of the SFY 2025 initiative by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, is designed to decrease the number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses stemming from substance use. The program emphasizes the coordination of law enforcement and public health efforts to combat the substance abuse epidemic through enhanced investigative strategies, data sharing, and community outreach. The ODAC initiative aligns with the state's goals to improve public health and safety by addressing the root causes of drug abuse and facilitating access to treatment and support services.

The SFY 2025 Adult Day Reporting Center Grant Program (DRCE), funded by the State of Maryland through the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, aims to support local jurisdictions in implementing or enhancing Adult Day Reporting Centers. These centers provide community-based services and treatment to individuals under pretrial or probation supervision or those sentenced directly to a Day Reporting Center. The primary goal is to reduce recidivism, jail and prison populations, and corrections-related costs by offering a comprehensive range of services, including counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, drug treatment, educational remediation, job training, and intensive supervision. The program targets non-violent individuals and focuses on addressing criminogenic needs such as substance use, anger management, employment, education, and life skills. The Governor's Office anticipates awarding up to three grants, ranging between $90,000 to $270,000, to support these efforts.

The SFY 2025 Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Grant, funded by the State of Maryland through the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, aims to support the investigation and prosecution of internet crimes against children. The grant also assists in the operations of the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. These efforts are part of the Office's broader objective to reduce victimization of Maryland's children by protecting them from abuse or neglect, addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and mitigating the impact of childhood trauma. Additionally, the grant promotes coordinated criminal justice strategies at the State and local levels, enhancing collaboration among local law enforcement agencies and Child Advocacy Centers with the Maryland ICAC Task Force.

The SFY 2025 Police Accountability Community and Transparency (PACT) Grant Program, funded by the State of Maryland and managed by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, aims to support law enforcement in developing effective accountability procedures to enhance lawfulness, legitimacy, and community relations. This initiative seeks to implement criminal justice reform measures, foster new community-law enforcement partnerships, provide relevant training, and introduce technology to build trust and transparency. The program encourages the adoption of best practices in law enforcement to improve public safety across Maryland. Eligible applicants include state and local law enforcement agencies, local State’s Attorney’s Offices, Maryland’s Attorney General’s Offices, higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, and faith-based organizations.

The Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) of the U.S. Department of State is inviting applications to support the Bangladeshi initiative aimed at rehabilitating and reintegrating terrorist offenders. This program, executed by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Counterterrorism and Transnational Crime unit (DMP/CTTC) in collaboration with the non-government organization Centre for Alternatives (CFA), seeks to enhance efforts in rehabilitating terrorist offenders to prevent and counter violent extremism effectively.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) is seeking applications for funding. OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. With this solicitation, OJJDP seeks to implement and deliver mentoring services to youth populations that are involved in the juvenile justice system (including those youth currently placed within a juvenile correctional facility or those who have recently been released from a juvenile facility). This program supports mentoring programs to reduce juvenile delinquency, truancy, drug abuse, victimization, and other problem and high-risk behaviors. This program furthers DOJ’s mission to uphold the rule of law, keep our country safe, and protect civil rights.

With this solicitation, OJJDP seeks to support states implementation of innovative and/or research-based, data-informed policies to improve juvenile justice system outcomes and sustainable strategies for reinvesting resulting costs saved or averted into effective delinquency prevention and intervention programs.Eligibility This solicitation is composed of two grant categories. Applicants must clearly designate the category for which they are applying. Category 1: Juvenile Justice System Reform State governments Category 2: Juvenile Justice System Reform Training and Technical Assistance Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public- and state-controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education For-profit organizations other than small businesses Small businesses

This program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20125. The Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program (Campus Program) (CFDA# 16.525) provides funding for institutions of higher education to develop and strengthen effective security and investigation strategies to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus, develop and strengthen victim services in cases involving such crimes on campus, and develop and strengthen prevention education and awareness programs.

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to provide logistical and administrative support to INL-Belize capacity building programs that provide training and other relevant activities to participants with the goal of enhancing the capacity of governmental institutions and to reduce crime. The logistics and administrative support services required are for programs implemented within the country of Belize only.

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has identified the need to provide community-based care services in a proposed community that includes support services to all Children and families that support safety, permanency, and well-being of Children in its legal conservatorship. DFPS sees a service delivery model that fully engages communities in serving Children, Youth, and families provided through a performance-based Single Source Continuum Contract (SSCC) as the approach that can most effectively meet this need in a manner that achieves improved outcomes for Children in its conservatorship. The SSCC provider must ensure the full continuum of substitute care (foster and kinship care), purchased services, case management and reunification services for Children and Youth in DFPS legal conservatorship from the designated geographic proposed community, those placed in the proposed community through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), and through interregional agreements.

OAJJA: Behavioral Health Information and Data Sharing Grant Program Overview: The Behavioral Health Information and Data Sharing Grant Program provides funding to support county jails in onboarding and integrating with the Colorado Trusted Interoperability Platform (CTIP). This initiative aims to exchange behavioral health, housing, and demographic information with the Colorado Integrated Criminal Justice Information System (CICJIS) to ensure continuity of care for individuals transitioning between criminal justice agencies and the community. Funding Details: Amount Available: $1,547,728 Award Period: December 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026 Match: Match is not required for this funding Restrictions: Supplanting of funds is not allowed. Program Description: Purpose of the Funds: The goal of the Behavioral Health Information and Data Sharing Grant Program, established by SB22-196, is to facilitate the exchange of behavioral health, housing, and demographic information with CICJIS. This exchange will be accomplished by establishing an information exchange platform within CICJIS to improve criminal justice, health, and safety outcomes. Statutory Authority: 24-33.5-532. Behavioral health information and data-sharing in the criminal justice system. Eligibility: Every Colorado county is eligible for a grant. Counties lacking an existing electronic jail management system infrastructure may face challenges in completing required activities. Eligible Activities: Integrating county jail data systems with CICJIS. Standardizing client-specific information through common data fields. Automating data reporting required by state and federal law. Required Application Components: All grant applications must address the following: Justifiable project costs. Plans to use technology meeting state standards. Addition of all data exchange requirements to the applicant's jail management system. Acknowledgment of the conditional nature of funding based on acceptance of the CICJIS participation agreement. Technical Assistance and Resources: The Office of Research and Statistics (ORS) provides technical assistance for the program. General technical support for the grant application process is available through webinars, office hours, and other means on the ORS website. Additional resources include a project conceptual document, the CICJIS Participation Agreement, FAQs, and applicant resources. Evaluation: Funding decisions involve consultation with relevant stakeholders. Applications will be evaluated based on: Capacity to integrate with the interoperability platform. Explanation of proposed processes for meeting eligible activities. Demonstration of justifiable costs. Denied applications may submit appeals within three days, focusing on clarifying information specific to the denial reasons. How To Apply: Applications must be completed and submitted through Colorado’s online application system, ZoomGrants, by Thursday, May 16, 2024, 5:00 PM MST. Inquiries regarding ZoomGrants can be directed to [email protected].

A project to encourage the development and dissemination of a global credential and related credentialing or certification program based on international standards for substance use professionals. Drug use disorders extensively harm health, including mental health, safety, economic well-being, fuel organized crime, and negatively impact political, social, and economic stability. Many governments as well as individual drug demand reduction professionals provide services but have little experience and few methods to determine if those programs or their efforts are effective, evidence-based, and meeting international standards or their own program goals. To encourage and document the improvement of the prevention, treatment, and recovery services, the workforce requires training to an agreed international standard and then an agreed global credential to ensure that the substance use disorder workforce is performing to that standard. Project Vision: Drug demand reduction is the field of counternarcotics that recognizes that an epidemic only ends when we reduce the number of new cases. Through a well-trained, credentialed, and enthusiastic professional workforce in the combined fields of prevention, treatment, and recovery support, we will reduce the number of those suffering from substance use disorder globally and provide a social framework that supports recovery and ongoing prevention of substance use disorders. Project Goal(s) and Objectives: Professionals that work in the drug demand reduction field including prevention, treatment, and recovery support services come from a variety of academic and non-academic backgrounds. Given the sensitive personal, political, and cultural nature of substance use disorder, it is critical to ensure that those entrusted with positions in these areas can be readily identified as having the skills, experience, and understandings of the international standards and the implementation of those standards as they work. While some nations have their own processes for testing and certification, most do not. Poor services, especially those that violate human rights, in any country negatively impact the substance use disorder field. This negative impact has far-reaching consequences globally based on historical misunderstandings of the nature of substance use disorder. For these reasons, we seek to foster a climate where training and expertise are recognized and required for participation as a professional in the practice of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. Credentialing should also be encouraged as many working in this field work as volunteers or are working in related fields such as education or youth services. The overall goal of this project is to promote and develop the framework for the credentialing or certification of professionals in this field, in order to improve overall care of persons with substance use disorders, similar to other medical professionals. Through the development of an international credential secured through standardized examination, the project will also work to decrease the stigma associated with work 5 | Page related to substance use disorders. All competencies and testing should promote and encompass those international standards developed under the auspices of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), which have been accepted globally.

The SFY 2025 Community Grant Program Fund (CGPF), managed by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (previously the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention Youth and Victim Services), aims to support local law enforcement and local government agencies in Maryland in developing community outreach and violence intervention programs. This initiative is designed to enhance public safety by fostering improved relationships between law enforcement and community members, particularly the youth. The CGPF seeks proposals for programs that offer recreational or athletic opportunities, improve resident-law enforcement relations, or otherwise benefit the community. Eligible activities may include police/community events, programs for School Resource Officers, partnerships with community groups, mentorship programs, and established community programs provided by outside organizations. The grant anticipates awarding 15-25 grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, with the total funding up to $500,000.

With this solicitation, OJJDP seeks to support and strengthen collaborations between arts-based organizations and juvenile justice systems to develop, expand, or enhance promising and effective interventions that provide access to high-quality arts programs with and for current or previous justice-involved youth to reduce juvenile delinquency, recidivism, and/or other problem and high-risk behaviors. OJJDP defines justice-involved youth as those participating in court-ordered diversion programs in detention, correctional, or other residential facilities, and/or are on probation due to a delinquency finding by juvenile court.

With this solicitation, OJP seeks to prevent and reduce violent crime in communities by supporting comprehensive, evidence-based community-based violence intervention and prevention programs. These programs include efforts to address gang and gun violence, based on partnerships among community residents, local government agencies, victim service providers, community-based organizations, law enforcement, hospitals, researchers, and other community stakeholders. OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is administering the opportunity, working in partnership with OJP’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). This collaborative approach will help ensure jurisdictions have access to expertise to address community violence that involves youth, young adults, and adults, both as the individuals responsible for perpetrating this violence and as those who are victims of it. Awards made under this solicitation may be managed by BJA, OJJDP, or OVC, depending on the nature of the project.

With this solicitation, OJJDP seeks to enhance and expand mentoring services for children and youth impacted by opioids and other substance misuse. This program supports mentoring programs to reduce juvenile delinquency, substance misuse, and problem and high-risk behaviors such as truancy. This program supports the implementation and delivery of mentoring services to youth who are currently misusing or dependent on substances (including opioids, stimulants, and other licit or illicit substances), youth at risk for misusing substances, and youth with family members who are currently misusing or dependent on substances. Mentoring services can be one-to-one, group, peer, or a combination. Category 1: Mentoring Strategies for Youth Affected by Opioid and Other Substance Misuse (Project Sites) Eligible organizations are those that have been in existence for at least 3 years at the time of application, and have been directly delivering a structured mentoring program model. Category 2: Statewide and Regional Mentoring Strategies for Youth Affected by Opioid and Other Substance Misuse

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) has launched the Goat and Sheep Dairy Development Grant program to bolster the Northeast goat and sheep dairy sector. This initiative aligns with the NE-DBIC's broader mission to strengthen regional dairy industries by addressing critical areas such as business viability, market development, and innovative production methods. The program aims to enhance the growth and long-term viability of individual small ruminant businesses, while also tackling gaps in technical assistance, improving supply chain partnerships, and expanding market access. The program targets several beneficiaries, including dairy farmers (producers) currently or transitioning to producing goat or sheep milk, dairy processors transforming raw goat/sheep milk into edible products, dairy producer associations representing and promoting goat/sheep dairy products, and technical assistance providers working with these groups. The impact goals are to foster growth, increase profitability, improve herd/flock health and milk quality, reduce barriers to new markets, and expand distribution opportunities for goat/sheep dairy products within the Northeast region. The grant program focuses on two main project types: Individual Business Projects and Sector Enhancement Projects. Individual Business Projects support farmers and processors in making improvements to increase business viability, market development, or production innovations. Examples include engaging with technical assistance providers for business improvements, diversification and marketing efforts, research and development of innovative solutions, and purchasing specialized dairy equipment. Sector Enhancement Projects are designed to engage multiple dairy businesses in activities that improve or expand small ruminant production practices or dairy markets, strengthening relationships across the goat/sheep dairy supply chain. Examples include developing tools and resources, improving farmer access to resources, and initial investments to strengthen supply chain relationships. Funding priorities emphasize projects that address at least two of the following: developing resources to fill unmet technical assistance needs, increasing pay price for goat/sheep dairy farmers, producing deliverables for new or transitioning dairy farmers, including educational/information sharing components, fostering collaborative efforts, increasing profits for dairy businesses, improving herd/flock health/nutrition/milk quality, reducing barriers to new markets, developing market channels, and implementing innovative strategies to increase awareness and consumption of goat/sheep dairy products. The program's theory of change appears to be that by investing in these specific areas, both individual businesses and the sector as a whole will experience sustainable growth and increased competitiveness. Individual business grants range from $15,000 to $50,000, requiring a 25% cash and/or in-kind match commitment. Supply chain projects are eligible for grants between $25,000 and $75,000, also with a 25% match commitment. A total of $760,000 is available for this program. The expected outcomes include a more robust and resilient goat and sheep dairy sector in the Northeast, with enhanced business viability for producers and processors, expanded market reach for their products, and a stronger, more collaborative supply chain. The grant period for projects is between 8 and 12 months.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program (GRP) is inviting proposals for its "Building the Next Generation of STEMM Leaders in the Field of Environmental Justice" initiative. This grant opportunity is designed to support projects that develop and implement programs cultivating future STEMM leaders in Environmental Justice (EJ). The GRP's mission, as evident in this program, aligns with fostering scientific literacy and addressing critical environmental challenges through education and mentorship. The grant aims to raise awareness, expand understanding, and empower young people to apply STEMM disciplines to explore the relationship between environmental hazards and their effects on community health and resilience. The primary beneficiaries of this program are young people in grades 9-12, particularly those from communities affected by environmental inequalities in the United States Gulf of Mexico region. The impact goal is to increase the number of young people in this region who pursue studies and careers in STEMM disciplines within the field of Environmental Justice. The program specifically encourages collaborations with nonprofit or community-based organizations that have a history of working with children and youth, especially underrepresented or underserved populations such as racial/ethnic minorities, tribal youth, LGBTQ+ youth, students with low socio-economic status, children with disabilities, first-generation immigrants, and students from rural or remote areas. The core focus of this funding opportunity is on education and mentorship. Projects should provide youth with opportunities to learn about and apply STEMM principles in examining environmental hazards and their impact on communities. Activities can take place in both formal and informal educational settings, but must target 9th-12th graders and complement formal education standards. The GRP prioritizes proposals that foster the development of scientific and environmental literacy, skills, and competencies crucial for cultivating the next generation of EJ leaders. Expected outcomes include increased awareness and understanding among youth regarding environmental hazards and their effects on communities, as well as enhanced capacity for youth to pursue STEMM studies and/or careers in Environmental Justice. The GRP anticipates a measurable increase in the number of young people in the Gulf of Mexico region engaging with STEMM disciplines related to EJ. This grant operates with a strategic priority of building human capacity and fostering a more equitable and resilient future by empowering youth to address environmental challenges. The theory of change behind this initiative is that by investing in early education and mentorship in STEMM and EJ, the GRP can create a pipeline of informed and capable leaders who will contribute to solving complex environmental issues in vulnerable communities.