Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (US)

Deadline: 27-May-22

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications for funding programs that supports cross-system collaboration to improve public safety responses and outcomes for individuals with mental health disorders (MHDs) or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUDs) who come into contact with the justice system.

Objectives

Enhance, expand, and operate mental health drop-o crisis stabilization treatment centers that provide 24/7, yearround support for law enforcement, criminal justice agencies, and people who come in contact with the justice system. These centers can provide, but are not limited to, the following services: screening and assessment, crisis care, residential treatment, assisted outpatient mental health treatment, primary care services, telehealth, competency restoration, community transition, and reentry support such as connections to housing.
Increase community workforce and capacity for certified mental health peer support specialists and increase the availability of wraparound services evidenced to support people with MHD and MHSUD.
Build or expand existing mental health collaboration programs across people and places in any part of the criminal justice system — such as jails, courts, and prosecutors — as well as community supervision and/or capacity building for criminal justice professionals to target individuals with MHD and MHSUDs at risk of recidivism. For law enforcement-focused projects, see the separate law enforcement-focused solicitation entitled “Connect and Protect: Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Response Program.”

Program-specific Priority Areas

In addition to executing any OJP priority areas listed above that may be applicable, priority consideration will be given to applications that: Promote effective strategies by law enforcement to identify and reduce the risk of harm to individuals with mental illness and to public safety.
Promote effective strategies for identification and treatment of female offenders with mental illness.
Promote effective strategies to expand the use of mental health courts and related services.
Propose interventions that have been shown by empirical evidence to reduce recidivism. When appropriate, use validated assessment tools to identify and prioritize individuals with a moderate or high risk of recidivism and a need for treatment services.
Demonstrate and ensure that funds are used for public health and public safety; demonstrate active participation of co-applicants in administering the project; document, in whole or in part, that funds used for treatment of incarcerated populations will provide transition and reentry services for such individuals.