Juvenile Diversion Grant Program 2025-2027

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute is currently accepting applications for the Juvenile Diversion Grant Program for the years 2025 to 2027. This grant program aims to support initiatives that prevent youth from becoming further involved in the formal legal system. The program is designed to provide alternatives to adjudication that require minimal supervision while ensuring community safety and addressing the risk of reoffending. The focus is on restorative justice practices that aim to repair harm caused to victims and the community, as well as to reduce recidivism through research-based services tailored to the needs of the youth.

The purpose of the Juvenile Diversion Grant Program is to achieve several key objectives. These include preventing further legal system involvement for children, providing alternatives to adjudication, emphasizing restorative justice practices, and improving outcomes for youth through appropriate services. The program is structured to allocate a base amount of $75,000 per grant per county, with additional funding based on county population, ensuring that smaller, rural counties receive more support.

Eligible applicants for this grant include public entities, nonprofit organizations, and nongovernmental organizations that provide services to youth at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system. To qualify for funding, applicants must meet specific prequalification requirements, including maintaining good standing with relevant state departments and having an operating agreement with a referring entity. Each grant must be overseen by a local regional Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council or a similar collaborative body that includes juvenile justice stakeholders.

The grant period will run from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027, with projects required to commence by April 1, 2025, and be operational within sixty days thereafter. Allowable activities under this grant include the development and operation of youth diversion programs, evidence-based projects, and restorative justice initiatives. Funding can cover personnel costs, program materials, culturally appropriate services, technical assistance, advocacy for safe placements, and mental health services.

Applicants must submit their proposals by the deadline of November 15, 2024. The application process will require detailed responses to specific questions regarding the proposed project, its alignment with the program's objectives, and the anticipated impact on youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Evaluation criteria will focus on the project's feasibility, alignment with grant objectives, and the capacity of the applicant to deliver the proposed services.

All grant recipients will be required to report performance measures on a monthly or quarterly basis and submit an aggregate report at the end of the grant cycle. They must also maintain case-level data for research and evaluation purposes. For more information about the grant program, interested parties can visit the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute's website or contact their help desk.