The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute is currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Juvenile Community Alternatives Planning Grant Program. This grant program aims to provide funding for initiatives that create cost-effective, research-based alternatives to secure detention and out-of-home placements for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The program seeks to reduce the reliance on secure confinement, improve outcomes for children, and ultimately decrease recidivism rates. The grant is available to all counties in Indiana, with a specific focus on supporting rural areas that may have limited service capacity.

The primary purpose of the grant is to facilitate the development of community-based alternatives to juvenile justice involvement. The objectives include reducing the use of secure detention and out-of-home placements, as well as enhancing positive outcomes for youth. The grant is designed to support planning activities that will lead to the implementation of programs aimed at achieving these goals. Eligible activities may include developing community alternatives, collaborative planning efforts, and travel to observe successful programs in other regions.

Funding for the grant ranges from $10,000 to $100,000, with a specific allocation of $20,000 available for each county to support one-year planning grants. The funding period is set for twelve months, and the grants are financed through the Indiana General Assembly's biennial budget. The allowable activities under this grant include planning for the operation and delivery of services to youth, with a focus on creating alternatives to juvenile justice involvement.

Eligible applicants include public entities, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and nongovernmental organizations that provide services to youth in the juvenile justice system. To qualify for funding, entities must prequalify by meeting certain threshold requirements, including a review of their standing with the Indiana Department of Revenue, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, and the Secretary of State. Non-governmental entities must also have a collaboration plan or operating agreement in place with a referring entity prior to receiving funding.

Each grant awarded must be overseen by a local regional Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council or another collaborative body that includes juvenile justice stakeholders. Grant recipients are required to report performance measures quarterly and submit an aggregate report at the end of the grant cycle. They must also maintain case-level data for research and evaluation purposes. Applicants may submit proposals to serve multiple counties, but they must provide individualized plans for each county involved.

The application deadline for this grant is November 15, 2024. Interested parties are encouraged to visit the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute's website for more information and to access the application materials. This grant program represents an opportunity for organizations to contribute to the development of effective alternatives to juvenile justice involvement, ultimately benefiting youth and communities across Indiana.