Care First Community Investment Care Grant Strategy 3 (Education Access & Youth Development)

The Care First Community Investment Care Grants are administered by the Los Angeles County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department as part of a broader initiative to invest public resources into community-based solutions that address systemic inequities and reduce reliance on incarceration. This funding opportunity stems from the policy framework originally associated with Measure J, which aimed to allocate a portion of county revenues toward addressing racial injustice and expanding alternatives to traditional criminal legal system responses. The County continues to uphold this framework through the Care First Community Investment program, emphasizing direct community investment, prevention, and culturally responsive services. Strategy 3 focuses specifically on Education Access and Youth Development, targeting youth populations across Los Angeles County who are impacted by systemic inequities, including justice-involved, foster, unhoused, and historically underserved communities. The program is structured into multiple program areas, including youth mentorship and counseling, school-based interventions, leadership development, and youth engagement and prevention. Each program area is designed to support holistic youth development through trauma-informed, culturally affirming approaches that promote educational success, emotional wellbeing, and long-term opportunity. Programs are expected to incorporate practices such as restorative justice, social-emotional learning, and culturally rooted engagement to address the needs of youth ages ranging approximately from 5 to 26 depending on the specific program area. Funding is available in varying award sizes depending on the program area, with awards ranging from smaller grants for targeted school-based initiatives to larger investments for comprehensive youth engagement and prevention programs. Funds may be used for program implementation, staffing, equipment, subcontractors, and other allowable costs aligned with the scope of work. One-time purchases such as equipment are permitted but typically restricted to the first year of the grant period. All funded programs must operate within a three-year contract term, beginning around October 2026 and ending no later than November 2029, with all funds expended within that timeframe. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad and inclusive, allowing nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, tribal organizations, and fiscally sponsored projects to apply, provided they meet minimum requirements. Applicants must demonstrate at least two years of experience delivering relevant services within Los Angeles County and must be registered and in good standing with the State of California. Priority is given to organizations with smaller operating budgets, those that have not previously received Los Angeles County funding, and those serving high-need, low-resource communities as identified through established equity indices. Faith-based organizations and businesses are also eligible if they meet the outlined criteria. The application process is conducted entirely online through the Submittable platform, and applicants must create an account to submit their proposals. Required application components include organizational information, program design details, budget documentation, financial statements, and proof of professional status. Additional attachments such as insurance documentation, business licenses, and fiscal sponsorship agreements may also be required. Applications are reviewed through a structured scoring process that evaluates organizational capacity, program relevance, community impact, and budget feasibility, with additional priority points awarded based on equity and funding history considerations. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes an application opening in late July 2026 and a submission deadline in late August 2026. Following submission, applications undergo review through September, with award announcements expected in early October 2026 and contract execution shortly thereafter. The grant period begins in mid-October 2026. Applicants are encouraged to participate in informational webinars and office hours, and support is available through designated contact channels including email and phone. Reporting requirements for awarded organizations include monthly data collection and quarterly reporting to track program outcomes and ensure accountability throughout the grant term.

Prioritize serving high need communities demonstrate measurable outcomes align program design with trauma informed culturally responsive practices and ensure budget justification is clear