Illinois Youth Grants

Title II Juvenile Justice Council grants are specifically awarded to local juvenile justice councils to implement programs, policies and practices that improve the effectiveness of local juvenile justice systems, reduce unnecessary juvenile justice system involvement and/or analyze and reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities (RED) in each council’s local system. Because this model of local governance, collaboration and data-driven decision-making has proven effective, the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission is allocating funding to support local juvenile justice councils and the development of data-driven, collaborative local juvenile justice plans which guide future system improvement efforts. The Illinois Juvenile Court Act provides that each county or group of counties may establish a local juvenile justice council [705 ILCS 405/6-12]. The purpose of this council, according to the Act, is “to provide a forum for the development of a community based interagency assessment of the local juvenile justice system, to develop a county juvenile justice plan for the prevention of juvenile delinquency, and to make recommendations to the county board, or county boards, for more effectively utilizing existing community resources in dealing with juveniles who are found to be involved in crime, or who are truant or have been suspended or expelled from school.” Through juvenile justice councils, the Act prescribes a response to juveniles in conflict with the law that is comprehensive, driven by data and analysis, and collaborative across all systems that touch these youth. As embodied in the Juvenile Court Act, Juvenile Justice Councils provide a structure to ensure that local jurisdictions respond to youth in conflict with the law in a manner which is data-driven, strategic, and focused on serving youth, families and communities in the most effective ways possible. Unfortunately, very few jurisdictions in Illinois have developed councils that operate in the manner envisioned in the Act. In some communities, youth become involved in the juvenile justice system unnecessarily because alternatives do not exist, or are not embedded within the system decision-making process. Because the needs and resources are different in each community in Illinois, a one-size-fits-all approach is not likely to be very effective. Local councils are in the best position to craft solutions that meet the local community’s needs and take into account local resources. Empowering and supporting local juvenile justice councils can also stem the tide of racial and ethnic disparity in the juvenile justice system at the front door and help ensure that no youth enters the juvenile justice system unnecessarily. Such local ownership is the best way to ensure more effective long-term programming and sustained systemic change. This, in turn, will reduce the costs associated with incarcerating youth in correctional facilities, reduce rates of recidivism, reduce the number of crime victims, and ultimately create safer communities in Illinois. Juvenile Justice Youth Serving Programs: The federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) provides funding directly to states through its Title II Formula Grants Program (Title II) to support state and local delinquency prevention, intervention efforts and juvenile justice system improvements. These funds are used to help states implement comprehensive state juvenile justice plans based on detailed studies of needs in their jurisdictions. State Advisory Groups, comprised of members appointed by the governor, set priorities for funded activities. The State Advisory Group for Illinois, the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission (IJJC), administers the Title II funds. These funds support a broad range of juvenile justice activities at the state and local level that are designed to improve the juvenile justice system through the development of more effective education, training, research, prevention, diversion, treatment, and rehabilitation programs in the area of juvenile delinquency. These programs or projects can be designed to be developed, implemented and evaluated directly or through grants and contracts with public and private agencies. Title II also funds state and local activities designed to ensure and maintain the state's compliance with the Core Requirements of the JJDPA. • Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders (DSO) • Adult Jail and Lock-Up Removal (Jail Removal) • "Sight and Sound" Separation • Address Racial and Ethnic Disparities (RED); In some communities, youth become involved in the juvenile justice system unnecessarily because alternatives do not exist or are not embedded within the system decision-making process. Because the needs and resources are different in each community in Illinois, a one-size-fits-all approach is not likely to be very effective. Local juvenile justice systems and community-based providers are in prime position to craft solutions and develop youth serving programs that meet the local community's needs and take into account local resources. Empowering and supporting local youth programming can also stem the tide of racial and ethnic disparity in the juvenile justice system at the front door and help ensure that no youth enters the juvenile justice system unnecessarily. Investing in local communities will reduce the costs associated with incarcerating youth in correctional facilities, reduce rates of recidivism, reduce the number of crime victims, and ultimately create safer communities in Illinois.

Program Summary The PATH program is designed to reduce and/or eliminate homelessness for individuals who may be experiencing (SMI) serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. Our goal is to ensure that individuals are connected to mainstream MH services and eventually transitioned into stable housing improve their health, and live a self-directed, purposeful life. Funding Priorities or Focus Areas • IDHS is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity, and to prioritize and maximize diversity throughout its service provision process. This work involves addressing existing institutionalized inequities, aiming to create transformation, and operationalizing equity and racial justice. It also focuses on the creation of a culture of inclusivity for all regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability. Project Description The Grantee will operate the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) formula grant providing flexible, community-based services throughout the State of Illinois to address the needs of adults ages 18-65+ and families, with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders, who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. PATH links the population of individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI)/co-occurring substance use disorders (COD), who experience persistent and pervasive health disparities, to mainstream and other supportive services. Collectively the PATH resources help individuals experiencing or at risk for homelessness with SMI/COD secure safe and stable housing, improve their health, and live a self-directed, purposeful life.

Will County has allocated $225,000 in grant dollars to support the important work of early child care providers in Will County. Child care providers pursue grant funding for educational materials, developmental support services, and/or improvements to physical space and technology. The “Elevate Will County – Child Care Provider Grant” represents a key priority for Will County: Supporting and empowering early childhood development throughout the county. The grant is funded in the FY2024 budget, utilizing allocated dollars from the State of Illinois Cannabis Sales Tax. Will County is partnering with Birth to Five Illinois to administer the grant. Grant awards will range from $2,000 to $10,000. Providers can submit multiple applications for award through the grant. Child Care providers have until May 22, 2024 to apply! Only DCFS Licensed Child Care providers within Will County are eligible. A virtual technical assistance workshop will be held on April 24, 2024 at 10:00 AM.

The City of Champaign is announcing the availability of funding for the 2024-2025 program year through the Community Matters youth program. Donor Name: City of Champaign State: Illinois City: Champaign Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/10/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Community Matters, founded in 2007, is a programmatic initiative that addresses safety, academic support, technology, recreation, career exploration and employment among City of Champaign youth. Through this funding opportunity, the City of Champaign seeks to fund public or private non-profit agencies providing programs that meet the needs of students and youth from Pre-K through 18 years of age and residing within the City of Champaign. Proposals should target youth from low-income families with the goal of having a lasting impact on the community. Prioritization shall be given to programs serving youth from the target areas (Beardsley Park, Bristol Park, Garden Hills, and Douglass Park). However, low-income youth from any Champaign neighborhood may participate as space and funding allows. Activities that can be carried out with CDBG funds include but are not limited to the rehabilitation of residential and non-residential structures, building demolition, construction/rehabilitation of public facilities, and public services. Activities pertaining to the general conduct of government, political activities, and new housing construction are generally ineligible. Proposing agencies should note that public service funds are extremely limited and subject to a 15% cap of the City of Champaign’s grant award. Funding Information The available public service funding amount is set by HUD through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and is limited to 15% of the City of Champaign’s CDBG annual allocation. The 2024-2025 allocation amount has not yet been announced. However, the public service allocation for the 2023-2024 program year was approximately $133,000. Funding Period July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. For more information, visit City of Champaign.

The City Council has approved $100,000 of these funds to be awarded in grants for opioid remediation programs and services. Donor Name: City of Naperville State: Illinois City: Naperville Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Projects must qualify as an approved abatement program under settlement restrictions and must impact Naperville residents. Programs and services must qualify as an Approved Abatement Program and impact Naperville residents. Approved Abatement Programs include the following: Expanding training and increasing distribution of Naloxone or other FDA-approved drug to reverse opioid overdoses Distributing medication-assisted treatment to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured Providing or expanding treatment and recovery support services such as residential and inpatient treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, outpatient therapy or counseling, recovery housing, and harm reduction Providing or expanding screening, intervention and treatment services for pregnant and postpartum women and recovery for neonatal abstinence syndrome Providing or expanding warm hand-off programs and recovery services, including comprehensive wrap-around services for individuals in recovery Providing or expanding evidence-based education to school-based and youth-focused programs that discourage and prevent misuse of opioids Providing or expanding syringe service programs and expanding community drug disposal programs Media campaigns and public education to prevent misuse of opioids. Grants are reimbursement-based. Grantees must accrue costs prior to requesting reimbursement from the City of Naperville. Eligibility Criteria  Organizations applying are not required to be a non-profit 501(c)(3) or recognized by the State of Illinois as a non-profit organization. School districts, medical providers, coalitions and faith communities are welcome to apply, as are non-profit organizations and providers. Entities that have already received 2024 City of Naperville grant funding are eligible to apply for additional funding. For more information, visit City of Naperville.

The FY 2025 CTE Education Career Pathway RFP, accessible through the ISBE Web Application Security (IWAS) system, is aimed at entities capable of supporting career and technical education (CTE) activities as outlined in 23 Ill. Adm. Code 256.400. The RFP for the FY 2025 planning year does not require an initial allocation or itemized budget; approved applicants will later submit an amended application with detailed financials and agreements as directed by ISBE. The application deadline is May 3, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Grant renewed every year.

The FY 2025 Early Childhood Block Grant (ECBG) RFP, managed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), targets new and current grantees looking to increase service capacity. The grant focuses on preschool education and prevention initiatives, supporting entities outside of Chicago in providing educational, health, social, and child development services to young children and their families. Applications must meet GATA prequalification requirements and are due by 4:00 p.m. on May 16, 2024. Grant renewed every year.