The OJJDP FY25 Strategies to Support Children Exposed to Violence program, administered by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, seeks to support communities in developing comprehensive, community-based approaches to help children and their families exposed to violence. This initiative aims to build resilience, restore safety, and mitigate the adverse effects of violence on youth, families, and communities. Funding can be utilized to enhance direct support services for children, reduce the impact of violence, and foster coalition-building efforts to improve community responses to these issues.

Eligible applicants include government entities (state, county, city, township, and tribal governments), educational organizations (independent school districts and institutions of higher education), and nonprofit organizations. Proposals from multi-entity collaborations are also accepted, with one entity designated as the lead applicant. The program will allocate up to $6.8 million in funding, with an award ceiling of $850,000 for individual projects. The anticipated performance period is 36 months, starting on or after October 1, 2025. Cost-sharing or matching funds are not required.

Applicants must submit a two-part application process through Grants.gov (SF-424 submission by March 10, 2025) and JustGrants (full application submission by March 24, 2025). Proposals must include a detailed project narrative, budget form, timeline, and supporting documentation, such as letters of support or memoranda of understanding. Projects should focus on implementing trauma-informed, culturally appropriate prevention and intervention strategies, and must align with the program's goals to build protective factors, provide evidence-based mental health services, and enhance community capacity to address violence exposure.

Applications will be evaluated on several criteria, including the project's alignment with the program's goals, design and implementation strategies, organizational capacity, and budget. Proposals are also expected to emphasize youth and family partnerships, which can range from individual case planning to system-level strategic planning.

Award notices are expected by September 30, 2025, and recipients will be required to submit quarterly financial reports and semi-annual performance reports. Compliance with civil rights regulations and financial management standards is mandatory. For more information, applicants are encouraged to participate in a pre-application webinar scheduled for February 20, 2025, and consult the program's detailed guidelines in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Additional assistance is available through the OJP Response Center.