The Juvenile Diversion Planning Grant Program for the 2025-2026 funding cycle is administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). This program is authorized under Indiana Code § 31-40-5-6 and seeks to support local efforts to reform juvenile justice practices through diversion programs that prioritize restorative justice, risk assessment, and reducing recidivism. The program's primary objective is to prevent deeper involvement of youth in the formal legal system by encouraging the use of evidence-based or restorative justice strategies tailored to the needs of the youth while also maintaining community safety.

Eligible applicants include public entities, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and nongovernmental organizations that serve youth involved in or at risk of entering the juvenile justice system. To qualify, applicants must be in good standing with several state departments, including the Department of Revenue and Department of Workforce Development. Non-governmental entities must have a collaboration agreement with a referring entity, and all applicants must coordinate their projects with their local or regional Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council (JRAC) or an equivalent collaborative body.

Funding will be awarded as a one-year planning grant of $20,000 per county, made possible through the Indiana General Assembly’s biennial state budget. Counties with limited service capacity, particularly rural ones, are prioritized. Applicants may serve multiple counties if they provide individualized plans for each. Funds are awarded upfront, and recipients are required to submit regular reports and maintain detailed, case-level data for performance evaluations.

Allowable uses of funds include planning activities, technical assistance, stakeholder meetings, travel to observe other programs, and preparation for evidence-based project implementation. However, funds may not be used for construction, real estate, lobbying, fundraising, direct client assistance, or supplanting existing expenses. Administrative costs are allowed up to 10% of the total budget and must be included within the staff budget rather than as a separate line item.

Applications must be submitted through the IntelliGrants system by 11:59 p.m. ET on April 17, 2025. A preparatory webinar is scheduled for March 20, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET. Applicants are encouraged to register in IntelliGrants early and familiarize themselves with the user guide to avoid technical issues near the deadline. The grant period runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Projects must start no later than 60 days from July 1 or risk termination.

Application evaluation criteria include completeness, alignment with program goals, compliance with legal requirements, budget appropriateness, potential conflicts of interest, and financial standing. Each application must include a collaboration plan, audit records, relevant job descriptions, and a detailed budget outlining intended uses of the funds. For assistance, applicants can contact the ICJI Helpdesk at CJIHelpDesk@cji.in.gov or 317-232-1233 during business hours.