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Issues in Criminal Justice (JF)
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Second Chance Act Funded; First Grants Available to Governments |
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Page 1 of 2 By Pat Nolan|Published Date: March 04, 2009
The Second Chance Act has moved from hope to reality. Last week, three critical events brought this about. The House passed an appropriation of $25 million for the current year, President Obama proposed $75 million to fund the Act in the coming year, and the Department of Justice announced the competition for the first grants under the Act.
This is a huge cause for celebration.
The House version appropriates $15 million for State and Local Reentry Demonstration Projects (Section 101) and $10 million for Mentoring grants to local non-profits, including faith-based groups (Section 211). The first solicitation for Second Chance Act grants will fund state and local governments for adult reentry demonstration projects to reduce recidivism and ensure the safe and successful reentry of adults released from prisons and jails (Section 101). The deadline for applications is 8:00 p.m. ET on April 20, 2009.
The House appropriations bill also included an additional $108 million for the following criminal justice priorities:
- $108,493,000 for Department of Labor ex-offender activities
- $10 million for the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act (which represents a $3.5 million increase over the FY08 appropriation)
- $532 million for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program
- $30 million for the Byrne Competitive Grant Program
- $40 million for drug courts
- $400 million for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP)
- $10 million for Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT)
As I wrote to a colleague, “Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.” It is now time to make sure you are part of the effort in your community and state to apply for these funds. You or your organization may not apply for this first grant, since it is limited to government entities only. However, you should find out what your local and state governments are doing to apply for these grants. Linda Mills with the Annie E. Casey Foundation has prepared a very helpful explanation of the grants, “Guidance on Completing the Application for Second Chance Act Funds ,” and also a checklist to follow to insure that your application complies with the regulations, “Guidance on the Planning Process in Connection with Applying for Second Chance Act Funding.”
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