Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grants for Specialty Courts and Dockets

The Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grants for Specialty Courts and Dockets is administered by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, a state agency responsible for enhancing public safety through funding, policy development, and support for criminal justice initiatives. This program is funded through the federal Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program, which originates from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. The initiative is designed to strengthen community-based responses to behavioral health and substance use challenges within the justice system by supporting specialized court dockets. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the development, implementation, and expansion of specialty dockets, including recovery courts, behavioral health dockets, and veterans treatment courts. These programs aim to reduce recidivism, improve treatment outcomes, and increase program acceptance and graduation rates. Applicants are encouraged to focus on evidence-based practices, including curriculum development, staff training, and treatment resources. While personnel costs are allowable, hiring full-time staff is discouraged due to the limited duration of the grant period. Funding may be used for planning, implementation, or enhancement activities. Planning and implementation grants allow localities to form interdisciplinary teams, receive required training from the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, and prepare formal applications for specialty docket approval. Implementation and enhancement grants support jurisdictions that already have approved programs, enabling them to expand capacity or enhance services. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis, requiring detailed financial reporting and adherence to approved budget categories. Eligible applicants are limited to local government entities in Virginia that either operate or intend to establish specialty dockets. Applicants must meet several administrative and compliance requirements, including maintaining active federal registration, demonstrating good standing with funding agencies, and providing a formal letter of support from the Office of the Executive Secretary. Community service boards and behavioral health authorities cannot apply independently but may participate through local government partnerships. The application process requires submission through the DCJS Online Grants Management System. Applicants must complete multiple components, including a project narrative, goals and objectives, and a detailed budget with justification. The narrative must demonstrate need, describe program structure, identify target populations, and outline sustainability plans. Applications are evaluated competitively based on clarity, alignment with program goals, demonstrated need, and cost effectiveness. Review criteria allocate weighted scoring across narrative quality, goals, and budget justification. The application deadline for the current cycle is September 26, 2025, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time, with awards expected to begin January 1, 2026. The grant period spans eighteen months and concludes on June 30, 2027. A technical assistance webinar is offered prior to the deadline to guide applicants through the process. Award decisions are finalized by the Criminal Justice Services Board and are not subject to appeal. This funding opportunity is expected to recur annually as part of ongoing federal Byrne SCIP allocations. Applicants should anticipate future cycles based on similar timelines. The program emphasizes sustainability, collaboration, and adherence to evidence-based practices, ensuring that funded initiatives contribute to long-term improvements in public safety and behavioral health outcomes within the justice system.

Focus heavily on demonstration of need and clear program design ensure budget justification is detailed and aligned with goals prioritize evidence based practices and clearly define target population and sustainability plan