BJA FY 11 Second Chance Act Reentry Program for Adult Offenders with Co Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the BJA FY 11 Second Chance Act Reentry Program for Adult Offenders with Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders?

It was a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), created under the Second Chance Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-199). The program focused on improving reentry treatment and support for adult offenders who have both substance use disorders and mental health conditions.

What problem was this grant designed to address?

The solicitation targeted a major public safety and public health challenge: large numbers of people leaving prisons and jails and returning to the community, many of whom struggle with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders. The grant emphasized that without coordinated planning and treatment, relapse risk, instability, and supervision requirements can collide during the transition back to the community.

What is the core idea behind the Second Chance Act as described in this opportunity?

The opportunity described reentry as a transition period rather than a single event at the prison gate. It framed effective reentry as beginning during incarceration and continuing through parole or other court supervision, with better planning and treatment intended to reduce recidivism and improve community safety.

Who was the target population for this funding opportunity?

The solicitation was aimed at adult offenders returning from prisons or jails who have co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders.

Was this grant intended for juvenile reentry programs?

No. The notice clarified that this solicitation focused on adults. Applicants seeking funding for juvenile-specific reentry projects were directed to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) website at ojjdp.gov.

Why did the solicitation prioritize people with co-occurring disorders?

The announcement cited research and Bureau of Justice Statistics findings indicating high rates of substance use and mental illness among incarcerated populations, including that more than half of jail and prison inmates had been abusing or dependent on drugs in the year prior to incarceration and that about 16 percent were identified as having a mental illness. It also referenced research indicating particularly high rates of co-occurring disorders, including a statistic that jail detainees with severe mental disorders have a very high likelihood of also having a substance use disorder.

What types of activities or approaches was the grant meant to support?

Based on the description, the grant was intended to help jurisdictions build or strengthen coordinated treatment approaches that begin inside correctional facilities and continue after release, with an emphasis on improving continuity of care and reentry supports for adults with co-occurring disorders.

What was the overall goal of the program?

The overall goal was to improve reintegration outcomes and enhance public safety by strengthening treatment continuity and reentry supports for adults leaving custody who face both addiction and mental illness.

Which agency offered this funding opportunity?

The funding opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

What type of grant was it?

It was described as a discretionary federal grant opportunity.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants were government entities: state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.

Were non-government organizations eligible to apply?

The provided information lists eligibility as specific government entities (state, county, city/township, and federally recognized tribes). No other applicant types were included in the eligibility description provided.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching funds requirement was described for this opportunity, which was noted as lowering the barrier for jurisdictions with limited budgets.

What was the maximum award amount?

Awards could be as high as $600,000.

Was there a minimum award amount?

No minimum award amount was stated in the information provided.

What CFDA number was associated with this program?

The funding was tied to the Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative under CFDA number 16.812.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on May 12, 2011.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was June 23, 2011.

When was the opportunity archived?

It was later archived on July 23, 2011.

How were applications submitted?

Applications were submitted through Grants.gov.

Where could applicants get technical help with Grants.gov?

Technical support was available through the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726 and by email at support@grants.gov.

How did the solicitation describe the reentry period?

It described reentry as a transition that starts during incarceration and continues after release through parole or other court supervision, rather than a single moment when someone exits a correctional facility.

What challenge does the grant description highlight for the post-release period?

The description highlights that after release, relapse risk, instability, and supervision requirements often collide, which is why coordinated treatment and support are emphasized.

How does this grant fit into a broader federal effort?

It was part of the Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative (CFDA 16.812), reflecting a broader federal effort to support evidence-informed reentry strategies.