The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is now accepting applications for the 2025–2027 Juvenile Behavioral Health Competitive Grant Pilot Program. This initiative was established by Indiana Code § 31-40-6-5 to support Indiana jurisdictions—especially rural ones—in diverting youth from formal court proceedings and out-of-home placements through early behavioral health intervention and community-based mental health treatment services. The program requires the use of validated mental health screening tools and, when needed, full mental health assessments.

Applicants may request funding for a range of allowable activities, including creating crisis stabilization services, partnering with law enforcement to develop diversion programs, providing comprehensive case management, strengthening intensive community-based treatment, establishing or supporting telehealth services, and conducting mental health evaluations. Preference will be given to regional service delivery models for efficiency. Programs must define their target populations and align their proposed services with program objectives and statutory requirements.

Eligible applicants include public agencies, local governments, nonprofits, and nongovernmental organizations serving youth involved in or at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system. Nongovernmental applicants must have formal agreements with referral partners and receive oversight from a local or regional Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council (JRAC) or another juvenile stakeholder collaborative. All applicants must be in good standing with the Indiana Department of Revenue, Department of Workforce Development, and Secretary of State, and agree to monthly or quarterly data reporting and end-of-cycle performance summaries.

Applications are due via IntelliGrants no later than 11:59 PM ET on Thursday, April 17, 2025. A program overview webinar will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM ET and will include a Q&A session. Projects are expected to begin by July 1, 2025, and must be operational within 60 days. The grant period ends June 30, 2027, and all final expenses and reports are due within 30 days of that date.

Allowable costs include personnel, travel, planning sessions, telehealth services, outreach materials, and technical assistance related to model program implementation. Funds cannot be used for direct financial assistance to clients, construction, real estate, vehicles, lobbying, fundraising, or indirect cost rates. Administrative costs are capped at 10% of the total budget and must be calculated as part of each position's time allocation.

Required application documents include a sustainability plan, a timeline, an agency budget (for nonprofits), letters of endorsement from the local JRAC or equivalent body, audit records, and job descriptions if personnel funding is requested. ICJI will evaluate applications based on completeness, alignment with funding purposes, applicant eligibility, risk assessment, and compliance with legal and financial requirements. Applications, reports, and all related grant activity must be completed within the IntelliGrants system.