Deadline: 12-Mar-25
The Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Advancing Data in Corrections Initiative seeks a training and technical assistance (TTA) provider to bolster state correctional agencies’ capacity to use data to inform policy and operational decision making through a combination of direct assistance, resources, and training.
This initiative will provide both dedicated, agency-specific assistance via a cohort of embedded data analysts in up to ten correctional agencies for one year, as well as in-depth training and other resources for corrections analysts nationwide. Combined, these resources will help corrections leaders, staff, and stakeholders unlock the power of data to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and outcomes in corrections.
Program Goals and Objectives
- The goal of this program is to enhance corrections agencies’ capacity for data-informed decision-making by bolstering analytical capacity. To achieve this, the program seeks to do the following:
- Goal 1: Deliver a range of effective and relevant TTA that empowers and enables corrections agencies in their efforts to leverage data to inform operational and policy decisions.
- Objective 1: Relevance—Develop and deliver TTA that directly address the needs and challenges of corrections agencies and their workforce(s).
- Objective 2: Effectiveness—Measure the effectiveness of TTA to ensure it is achieving the intended outcomes and making a positive impact.
- Objective 3: Engagement—Create engaging and interactive training resources that capture the attention and facilitate learning.
- Objective 4: Accessibility—Ensure all TTA resources are accessible and relevant. Accommodate the backgrounds, experiences, skills, and learning styles of those who use these resources. Additionally, all deliverables must be Section 508 compliant.
- Objective 5: Continuous Improvement—Regularly evaluate and refine TTA resources to ensure they remain relevant, effective, and aligned with the evolving data analysis needs of corrections agencies.
- Goal 2: Supplement the capacity of selected corrections agencies to collect, analyze, and use data to enhance their policies and operations.
- Objective 1: Recruit, interview, and hire qualified data analysts to be embedded in state corrections agencies.
- Objective 2: Facilitate an impartial process for the application and selection of corrections agencies to place an embedded analyst.
- Objective 3: Ensure that each embedded analyst contributes meaningfully to their host agency’s analytical capacity and efforts to adopt or further data-informed decisionmaking for the duration of their placement.
- Objective 4: Learn from the individual and collective experiences of both the embedded analysts and their host agencies to improve the effectiveness of the TTA delivered under this program.
- Goal 3: Enhance corrections agencies’ analytical capacity via the delivery of relevant and impactful TTA to data analysts across the nation.
- Objective 1: Identify, develop, and release online training courses on topics specific to the needs of corrections data analysts or other relevant parties (corrections administrators, staff, etc.) and ensure the field is aware of—and takes advantage of— these resources.
- Objective 2: Facilitate the operation of a virtual forum for corrections analysts to share information, ask questions, seek guidance, and network with their counterparts in other states/agencies.
- Objective 3: Create and operate an online repository of agency reports/analyses and other applicable tools or resources based on the needs of the field.
- Goal 1: Deliver a range of effective and relevant TTA that empowers and enables corrections agencies in their efforts to leverage data to inform operational and policy decisions.
Funding Information
- Anticipated Total Amount to Be Awarded Under This Funding Opportunity: $4,000,000
- Anticipated Number of Awards: 1
- Anticipated Award Ceiling: Up to $4,000,000
- Anticipated Period of Performance Duration: 36 months
Deliverables
- TTA provided through this program will:
- Utilize a diverse range of vetted local and national subject matter experts to plan and implement TTA activities.
- Coordinate all activities and products with BJA’s National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC) and maintain an online project tracking tool.
- Support and maintain a dedicated website to house BJA’s products, resources, and tools for grantees and the field.
- Maintain a central location for practitioners to request TTA at no cost.
- The selected TTA awardee for this program will be expected to:
- Facilitate the selection and hiring of 10 data analysts to serve one-year placements within correctional agencies. Award funds should cover the salary and benefits for these data analysts, at a minimum, and applicants may choose to budget for additional costs such as work-related travel. Applicants are not expected to budget for housing stipends, relocation costs, or other such benefits for hired analysts.
- Develop and operate a process by which correctional agencies apply for an embedded analyst and through which 10 agencies are selected in concert with BJA.
- Supervise and mentor these analysts for the duration of their placement with host agencies, including providing professional guidance and support to the analyst(s) and engaging with staff and leaders from host agencies to ensure that analysts are effectively contributing to the agency’s work and mission.
- Provide BJA with periodic updates on the work of the embedded analysts.
- Create, release, and host virtual training courses on topics that are relevant to corrections data analysts or other corrections stakeholders that play a role in datainformed decisionmaking. Courses must be easily accessible, informative, and relevant to the decisions, operations, and needs of corrections leaders and staff.
- Facilitate a community of practice for data analysts from corrections agencies to seek feedback or guidance from their counterparts in other states/jurisdictions and from staff from the TTA provider.
- Host an online repository of relevant materials, guidance, and other resources that corrections data analysts or other corrections stakeholders can leverage in their day-today work.
- Work with national corrections organizations and other relevant stakeholders and ensure their awareness of the program.
- Provide a final report that documents the impact of the Advancing Data in Corrections Initiative.
- Coordinate with other BJA-funded programs or related efforts at BJA’s direction.
Eligibility Criteria
- The types of entities that are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity are listed below:
- Educational Organizations
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- For-Profit Organizations
- Organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Educational Organizations
- Small Businesses: Small business grants may be awarded to companies meeting the size standards established by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for most industries in the economy.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.