OJJDP FY 2023 Juvenile Justice Emergency Planning Demonstration Program for Juvenile Justice Residential Facilities | O OJJDP 2023 171783

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the OJJDP FY 2023 Juvenile Justice Emergency Planning Demonstration Program for Juvenile Justice Residential Facilities?

It is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) within the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). The program supports juvenile justice residential facilities in strengthening emergency planning to better protect youth and staff during emergencies while maintaining continuity of care, safety, and communication.

2) Which federal agency is offering this grant?

The grant is offered by OJJDP, which sits within OJP.

3) What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?

The main purpose is to improve emergency planning in juvenile justice residential facilities so they can respond more effectively to disasters, facility incidents, public health emergencies, and other disruptive events. The emphasis is on protecting youth and staff and maintaining continuity of care and communication during crises.

4) What kinds of settings is this grant focused on?

This opportunity focuses specifically on juvenile justice residential facilities, where youth live in congregate care settings and may be especially vulnerable during emergencies.

5) How does OJJDP want applicants to think about emergency planning?

OJJDP does not want emergency planning treated as purely an administrative or security function. Applicants are expected to build an approach grounded in juvenile justice values that centers the strengths, needs, and voices of youth and families, including people with lived experience.

6) What is the role of youth and family partnership in this program?

Youth and family partnership is a central expectation of the solicitation. Applicants must explain how they will integrate and sustain meaningful youth and family partnerships in both the project plan and the budget, rather than relying on one-time consultation.

7) Do applicants have to include youth and family engagement in the budget as well as the project plan?

Yes. The solicitation requires applicants to describe how meaningful youth and family partnerships will be integrated and sustained in both the project plan and the budget.

8) What does OJJDP mean by "meaningful" youth and family partnerships?

Based on the solicitation description, "meaningful" partnerships are ongoing and integrated into how planning and improvement work is done, not limited to a single meeting or consultation. OJJDP describes partnerships that can operate at individual, agency, and system levels.

9) At what levels can youth and family partnership occur under this program?

OJJDP notes that youth and family partnership can occur at multiple levels, including:

• Individual level: case planning and direct service delivery before, during, and after a youth has contact with a system
• Agency level: policy and program development, implementation, evaluation, staffing advisory bodies, and even budget development
• System level: strategic planning, system improvement initiatives, advocacy strategies, and reform efforts

10) What types of emergencies should facility emergency plans address?

The grant focuses on emergency planning for situations such as disasters, facility incidents, public health emergencies, and other disruptive events that can affect residential facilities.

11) Is the program only about physical safety measures like evacuation?

No. OJJDP highlights that facilities should plan for physical safety measures (including evacuation strategies) and also for continued meaningful engagement with families and supportive community members during emergencies.

12) What does OJJDP expect regarding family notification and communication during emergencies?

OJJDP emphasizes having practical, written procedures for ongoing notification and communication so families know what is happening, where a young person is located if movement occurs, and how contact will be maintained during disruptions.

13) Does OJJDP consider family-connection strategies optional or secondary?

No. The solicitation encourages applicants to prioritize family-connection strategies as a core part of emergency planning rather than treating them as an add-on.

14) What is one example OJJDP gives of how to include youth and families in emergency planning?

One example is establishing or leveraging an existing advisory group that includes family members of youth currently in the facility and/or youth who are currently or were previously housed there. OJJDP suggests these advisors can help draft, review, and improve emergency procedures, including evacuation planning and communications protocols.

15) Why does OJJDP emphasize lived experience in emergency planning for residential facilities?

OJJDP signals that emergency plans are more likely to be realistic, humane, and workable when the people most affected by them have meaningful input into how they are designed and implemented.

16) How does this grant align with broader OJP and OJJDP priorities?

The opportunity is described as aligning with OJP and OJJDP priorities emphasizing civil rights and racial equity, increased access to justice, support for victims and people impacted by the justice system, stronger community safety, and building public trust.

17) How does OJJDP frame this work within its broader juvenile justice vision?

OJJDP frames the work within its juvenile justice vision of treating children as children, serving children at home with their families and in their communities whenever possible, and expanding opportunities for system-involved youth.

18) What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?

The funding instrument type is a Grant.

19) What is the CFDA number for this grant?

The CFDA number is 16.823.

20) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is O-OJJDP-2023-171783.

21) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $250,000 per award.

22) When was the opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on June 6, 2023. The original closing date for applications was July 24, 2023.

23) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities, including:

• State, county, and city or township governments
• Special district governments
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Federally recognized Tribal governments
• Tribal organizations (other than federally recognized Tribal governments)
• Nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
• For-profit organizations other than small businesses
• Small businesses
• Other entities

24) Are Tribal institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes. The solicitation specifically notes that Tribal institutions of higher education are eligible to apply, reflecting an intent to include Tribal communities and institutions in building emergency preparedness capacity for juvenile residential settings.

25) What category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is listed under the law, justice, and legal services category.

26) Is this grant best understood as funding direct services, operations, or something else?

Based on the description provided, the grant is best understood as a planning and system-improvement investment focused on strengthening emergency preparedness in juvenile residential facilities while aligning that preparedness with youth-centered practice, family partnership, equity, and maintaining supportive relationships during crises.

27) What is the core expectation applicants should be ready to demonstrate?

Applicants are expected to show, in a practical and budgeted way, how emergency planning will be strengthened and how youth and families will be meaningfully engaged in shaping, reviewing, and sustaining those plans.