This program will support efforts to implement programs and strategies that identify, respond to, treat, and support children, youth, and families impacted by the opioid epidemic. This program may be better suited for public defender offices. There is no express language for legal aid, but last year, the MD Public Defender received funds to work with youth involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.

Applications due: April 20, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Overview

The opioid epidemic has disrupted public safety and significantly increased the burden on state and local law enforcement, substance abuse treatment delivery systems, mental health systems, child welfare and foster care, and the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Through this program, OJJDP is helping states and communities develop a data-driven, coordinated response to opioid abuse-related challenges that impact youth and community safety. Funding under this program may be used to support programs and services to youth and families impacted by both opioids and other substance use disorders.

The goal of the Opioid Affected Youth Initiative is to provide programs and services to youth and families impacted by opioid addiction. Objectives include implementing prevention, intervention, and treatment programs that address the needs of pregnant and postpartum women, parents, youth; reducing foster care system involvement; implementing integrated services for parents and children that support families through treatment and recovery; and supporting the juvenile and criminal justice systems to address the needs of children and youth impacted by opioids.

Helpful resources

• Learn how civil legal aid helps those affected by the opioid crisis in a co-branded NLADA and Justice in Government Project factsheet. On the last page are four examples of partnerships that are currently serving individuals affected by the opioid crisis.
• NLADA recently presented at a national conference on how legal aid can help individuals affected by substance use disorders. We also heard from two states on what they’re doing to address the opioid crisis. Access that presentation here.
• Last year, NLADA and the Justice in Government Project started publishing a monthly newsletter with curated research and funding information. Read the edition on opioids.
• In 2019, NLADA hosted a webinar series on opioids. Access those webinars here.
• Read about grant awards made in 2019 here.

Grant information

Funding Title: Opioid Affected Youth Initiative

Agency Name: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Funding Opportunity Number: OJJDP-2020-17352

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Express Language for Legal Aid: No, but there’s no language prohibiting the use of funds to fund legal services either. Legal aid programs have and are working with parents, children, and grandparents to support individuals through recovery and address the needs of children and youth impacted by opioids. Projects could be funded to do this work.

Target Population: Children and youth affected by opioids

Expected Number of Awards: 13

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:  No

Estimated Total Program Funding: $9,000,000

Award Ceiling: $750,000

Award Floor: $500,000

How to Apply: Legal aid could either subgrant or be the lead applicant if they had the capacity to do so.  

Current Closing Date for Applications: by April 20, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Eligible Applicants: States and territories, units of local government, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, nonprofit organizations and for-profit organizations (including tribal nonprofit and for-profit organizations), and institutions of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher education).

For more information

Link to Full Announcement: Link to Grants.gov listing. Link to announcement from OJJDP

Contact Information: For assistance with any other requirements of this solicitation, contact the Response Center by telephone at 800–851–3420 or TTY: 301–240–6310 (hearing impaired only) or by email at grants@ncjrs.gov. Response Center hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on the solicitation close date.

General information on applying for OJJDP awards can be found here. Answers to frequently asked questions that may assist applicants are posted here. A solicitation webinar will be held on March 20, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. ET. This webinar will provide a detailed overview of the solicitation and allow an opportunity for interested applicants to ask questions. Preregistration is required for all participants. Register here. After the webinar, you will find the webinar recording uploaded here.

Categories: Department of Justice, Education Organizations, Government Organizations, Health, Native American Tribes or Tribal Organizations, Non-profit Organizations, Rural, Subgrant Possibilities, Substance Use Disorder