OJJDP FY25 Expanding Youth Access to Community-Based Treatment

The OJJDP Expanding Youth Access to Community-Based Treatment program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. This federal funding opportunity is designed to support efforts that align with the Department of Justice mission to uphold the rule of law, enhance public safety, and protect vulnerable populations, including youth impacted by substance use and mental health challenges. The program specifically targets youth under the age of 18 who have substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and who have come into contact with, or are at risk of entering, the juvenile justice system. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to expand access to community-based treatment services for youth populations with behavioral health needs. Applicants are expected to design or enhance cross-system approaches that improve coordination among service providers, justice systems, and community organizations. The goal is to improve outcomes for youth by addressing underlying behavioral health conditions and reducing further involvement in the formal justice system. The program emphasizes diversion strategies, improved referral pathways, and partnerships that facilitate access to appropriate care in community settings. Funding under this opportunity totals 6,000,000 dollars, with approximately 10 awards anticipated and a maximum award ceiling of up to 600,000 dollars per project. The period of performance for funded projects is expected to be 36 months, beginning around June 1, 2026. Applicants are allowed to request funding below the ceiling amount as long as the proposed budget aligns with the scope and capacity of the project. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, making the program more accessible to a broader range of eligible applicants. Eligible applicants include a wide range of public and nonprofit entities, such as state, county, city, and tribal governments, as well as nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status. While multiple applications are permitted from a single entity if they represent different projects, only one organization may serve as the primary applicant per submission, with additional partners included as subrecipients if applicable. This structure supports collaborative, multi-agency approaches while maintaining a clear lead organization responsible for project execution. The application process requires submission through a two-step system involving Grants.gov and JustGrants. Applicants must first submit the SF-424 form in Grants.gov, followed by the full application package in JustGrants. Required components include a proposal narrative, budget detail form, proposal abstract, and supporting documentation such as resumes and timelines. The proposal narrative must address the problem statement, project goals and objectives, implementation plan, and organizational capacity. Applications are evaluated through a combination of basic minimum requirements screening, peer review criteria, and programmatic and financial review. Key evaluation factors include project design, organizational capacity, and alignment with program goals. Key deadlines include a Grants.gov submission deadline of May 8, 2026, and a JustGrants submission deadline of May 11, 2026. The funding opportunity was released on March 25, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to begin registration processes early, particularly for SAM.gov, as delays may impact eligibility to submit. Award decisions are made by the Assistant Attorney General, and successful applicants will receive notification through JustGrants. Award recipients are required to submit quarterly financial reports and semi-annual performance reports throughout the grant period. Overall, this program represents a strategic federal investment in addressing youth behavioral health needs through community-based interventions. By focusing on prevention, diversion, and treatment access, the initiative aims to reduce juvenile justice system involvement while improving long-term outcomes for at-risk youth populations. The structured application and reporting requirements ensure accountability and alignment with federal priorities, while the flexible funding design allows applicants to tailor interventions to local needs and capacities.

Focus on strong project design and cross-system collaboration; clearly demonstrate capacity to deliver services and collect performance data; align proposal with stated program goals and priority areas