Restorative Practices in Schools Grant Program

The Restorative Practices in Schools funding opportunity is offered by the Cook County Department of Public Health as part of its Building Healthier Communities initiative. This local funding program is designed to support schools and related organizations in implementing restorative practices as an alternative to traditional disciplinary approaches. The Cook County Department of Public Health works to improve community health outcomes, and through this opportunity, it aims to address disparities in school discipline and student mental health by promoting evidence-based interventions. The purpose of this grant is to provide technical assistance for organizational change within schools and school districts to support the implementation of restorative practices. Restorative practices are grounded in restorative justice principles, focusing on repairing harm rather than punitive discipline. Research cited in the program materials indicates that exclusionary discipline such as suspensions and expulsions is associated with negative mental health outcomes, including persistent sadness and suicidal ideation among students. By contrast, restorative approaches have been shown to improve school climate, reduce disciplinary disparities, and enhance socio-emotional development. Funding is intended to support activities that facilitate organizational transformation, including training, capacity building, and implementation support for restorative frameworks. The total available funding is 55000 dollars, with up to two awards expected. Each selected organization may request up to the full amount. The performance period for funded projects is three months, indicating a short-term, intensive implementation or planning effort. No matching requirement is specified, and applicants are expected to propose budgets using the provided template. Eligibility is limited to publicly funded schools and school districts, intermediate service centers, nonprofit organizations, and restorative practice consultants that serve suburban Cook County schools or districts. Applicants may submit joint proposals but must designate a single fiscal agent. Certain geographic exclusions apply, specifically for schools located in areas served by state certified public health departments such as Evanston, Oak Park, Skokie, and Stickney Township. This indicates a targeted service area within suburban Cook County rather than a countywide or statewide scope. The application process requires submission through an online form along with several mandatory attachments. These include a W-9 form, a Certificate of Good Standing from Illinois, a completed program proposal using a specified template, a program budget using a required template, and letters of support from behavioral health organizations. Applicants must also confirm their willingness to participate in ongoing grant requirements such as regular check-in meetings, monthly reporting, and fiscal trainings. Applications will be evaluated through a competitive review process based on responsiveness to selection criteria and overall application strength. While specific scoring criteria are not detailed, the emphasis on organizational readiness and alignment with restorative practices suggests qualitative evaluation. The application period opens on June 23, 2026 and closes on July 22, 2026 at 6 p.m. Central Time. A virtual information session is scheduled for July 1, 2026, and a structured question and answer schedule is provided, with multiple deadlines for submitting inquiries and corresponding response dates. Questions can be directed to the program email inbox. No recurrence of this funding opportunity is explicitly stated.