The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute is currently accepting applications for the 2025-2027 Juvenile Behavioral Health Competitive Grant Pilot Program. This program aims to support jurisdictions, particularly in rural areas, in evaluating the behavioral health needs of children and diverting them from formal court involvement and out-of-home placements into community or school-based mental health treatment. The grant period will run from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027, with projects required to be operational within sixty days of the start date. Failure to meet this operational deadline may result in the termination of the grant and the de-obligation of awarded funds.

The primary purpose of this grant is to enhance the mental health services available to youth involved in or at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system. The objectives include implementing programs that divert youth from formal court proceedings, providing comprehensive case management, and establishing telehealth services for mental health evaluations. The program emphasizes the use of validated mental health screening tools and aims to strengthen community-based treatment services, including multisystemic therapy.

Funding from this grant can be used for various activities that support the operations and services delivered to youth. Allowable activities include partnering with law enforcement, creating stabilization case management, and supporting mental health evaluations. However, certain costs are ineligible for funding, such as direct financial assistance to clients, lobbying, fundraising activities, and the purchase of real estate or vehicles. The focus is on evidence-based juvenile behavioral health pilot projects that can demonstrate effectiveness in improving outcomes for youth.

Eligible applicants for this grant include public entities, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and nongovernmental organizations that provide services to youth at risk of juvenile justice involvement. Applicants must prequalify by demonstrating good standing with the Indiana Department of Revenue, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, and the Secretary of State. Non-governmental entities must also have an operating agreement or memorandum of understanding with a referring entity prior to receiving funding.

Submission requirements include a commitment to report performance measures on a monthly or quarterly basis, as well as providing an aggregate report at the end of the grant cycle. Recipients are also required to maintain case-level data for research and evaluation purposes. The performance measures that need to be reported are outlined in the Youth Justice Oversight Committee’s Grant Programs Report.

The timeline for this grant includes a deadline for applications set for November 15, 2024. The grant period will officially begin on April 1, 2025, and will conclude on March 31, 2027. It is important for applicants to be aware of these dates and ensure that their projects are ready to commence within the specified timeframe.

For more detailed information about the grant and its requirements, interested parties can visit the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute's website. This resource provides additional guidance on the application process and the specific criteria that must be met to qualify for funding.