The Marcus Alert / Co-Response Team Grant is a funding initiative offered by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to support law enforcement agencies in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This grant aims to enhance crisis response by fostering collaboration between law enforcement officers and mental health crisis responders. It is part of the Marcus Alert system, designed to improve outcomes for individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises through co-responder teams.

The grant is open to state and local law enforcement agencies and colleges or universities employing certified law enforcement officers within Virginia. Eligible agencies must have primary jurisdictional responsibilities. Successful applicants can receive funding for a one-year grant period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. The funds can be used for the purchase, operation, and maintenance of co-responder teams working under the Marcus Alert system.

Applications must be submitted via the Online Grant Management System (OGMS) by January 24, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Agencies are required to register in OGMS to access and apply for this funding. Registration may take 3–5 business days for review and approval, so early registration is encouraged. Resources for registering and using OGMS, including training guides, are available on the OGMS Training & Resources webpage. Technical assistance with the system is available by contacting ogmssupport@dcjs.virginia.gov.

For grant-specific inquiries, applicants can contact Patrick Long (patrick.long@dcjs.virginia.gov) or Dallas Leamon (dallas.leamon@dcjs.virginia.gov). Additional details, such as eligibility criteria, application instructions, and program goals, are included in the solicitation document accessible via OGMS.

This competitive grant opportunity provides law enforcement agencies with the resources to develop and sustain co-responder teams, aligning with Virginia's efforts to improve crisis intervention and reduce reliance on traditional law enforcement responses for mental health crises. Applicants are encouraged to review the program's requirements carefully and ensure timely submission.