Opportunity Information: Apply for BJA 2015 4181
Apply for BJA 2015 4181
- The Bureau of Justice Assistance in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 15 Second Chance Act Technology Based Career Training Program for Incarcerated Adults and Juveniles" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.812 Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 30, 2015 and posted on Mar 30, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 19, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments County governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) City or township governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The BJA FY 15 Second Chance Act Technology Based Career Training Program for Incarcerated Adults and Juveniles (Funding Opportunity Number BJA-2015-4181) was a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, released under CFDA 16.812 (Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative). It was designed to address a central reality of the U.S. justice system: the vast majority of incarcerated people, including both adults and juveniles, will eventually be released and return to their communities. With more than 2.2 million people in federal and state prisons and millions cycling through local jails each year, the program framed reentry as both a community well-being issue and a public safety issue. The goal was to improve the chances that people leaving confinement can successfully transition back into society, with a strong emphasis on employment as a stabilizing factor that can help reduce recidivism.
At the core of this solicitation was the idea that employment outcomes matter, but that people with criminal records face real and persistent barriers when they try to reenter the workforce. This grant opportunity focused on tackling those barriers by funding technology-based career training delivered to individuals while they are still confined. The program authority came from Section 115 of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-199), which specifically authorizes federal awards to support technology-based career training for people held in state prisons, local jails, tribal jails, and juvenile residential facilities. In other words, the target population was not limited to one type of correctional setting; it explicitly included adult and juvenile facilities across state, local, and tribal systems.
The funded work was meant to go beyond stand-alone classes and instead support a full continuum of reentry transition planning tied to real employment opportunities. That continuum included education and occupational training for technology-related jobs, along with wraparound elements such as support services and structured planning for release. A key feature was the expectation that programs would build connections to local employers so that participants could move toward legitimate employment as they approached release, including pre-release efforts to line up job prospects. The emphasis on employer connections underscored that training alone is often not enough; participants also need pathways into the labor market, credibility with hiring partners, and practical assistance navigating the job search and hiring process.
The funding instrument was a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates that the federal agency expects to have more substantial involvement than with a standard grant, often through ongoing coordination, guidance, or collaboration during implementation. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching funds, which can lower the barrier to entry for jurisdictions that have limited budget flexibility. The award ceiling was up to $750,000 per award, with an award floor listed as $0 (meaning the solicitation did not set a minimum award amount in the posted summary). The opportunity category was listed under Law, Justice and Legal Services.
Eligibility was limited to government entities and tribal governments: state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. This structure reflected the program focus on correctional and reentry systems that are typically operated or overseen by public agencies and tribal authorities, and it encouraged proposals rooted in the operational realities of prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities, as well as local labor market conditions.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted on March 30, 2015, and closed on May 19, 2015, with an archive date of June 18, 2015. Applicants were directed to submit through Grants.gov, with technical support available through the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline and support email. The solicitation referenced a full announcement link for complete requirements, which would typically include details like allowable costs, required program components, performance measures, reporting expectations, and any special conditions related to delivering technology-focused training in secure facilities.
In practical terms, this grant opportunity sought to fund programs that help incarcerated adults and youth build relevant, marketable technology skills before release, while simultaneously setting up the supports and employer relationships needed to translate training into actual employment. The broader policy logic was straightforward: if more returning citizens can secure stable jobs, communities benefit through stronger reentry outcomes and improved public safety, and systems may see reduced reoffending over time.
FAQs: BJA FY 15 Second Chance Act Technology Based Career Training Program for Incarcerated Adults and Juveniles (BJA-2015-4181)
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity was the BJA FY 15 Second Chance Act Technology Based Career Training Program for Incarcerated Adults and Juveniles (Funding Opportunity Number BJA-2015-4181). It was a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), released under CFDA 16.812 (Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative).
What problem was the program designed to address?
The program was designed around the reality that most incarcerated people (adults and juveniles) will eventually be released and return to their communities. It framed reentry as both a community well-being issue and a public safety issue, and it emphasized that employment is a stabilizing factor that can support successful reentry and potentially reduce recidivism.
What was the main goal of the program?
The goal was to improve the chances that people leaving confinement can successfully transition back into society, with a strong emphasis on improving employment outcomes through technology-based career training delivered during incarceration.
Who was the program intended to serve?
The target population included incarcerated adults and juveniles who were still confined and preparing for release. The solicitation explicitly contemplated multiple correctional settings rather than limiting the program to one system.
What types of facilities were included?
The authority for the program specifically covered individuals held in state prisons, local jails, tribal jails, and juvenile residential facilities.
What kind of training did the opportunity focus on?
The opportunity focused on technology-based career training and education aimed at technology-related jobs. The emphasis was on building marketable, employment-relevant technology skills while participants were still confined.
Was the program only about classroom training?
No. The funded work was intended to go beyond stand-alone classes and support a broader continuum of reentry transition planning tied to real employment opportunities, including training plus additional supports and structured planning for release.
What kinds of wraparound or reentry elements were expected?
The solicitation described a continuum that included support services and structured planning for release in addition to education and occupational training, so participants would be better positioned to translate training into employment as they reentered the community.
Why did the program place such a strong emphasis on employment?
The program noted that people with criminal records face persistent barriers to employment. It emphasized employment as a stabilizing factor for reentry that can benefit individuals, communities, and public safety, and it positioned improved employment outcomes as a practical strategy for strengthening reentry success.
Were employer connections part of the program design?
Yes. A key feature was the expectation that programs would build connections to local employers so participants could move toward legitimate employment as they approached release, including pre-release efforts to help line up job prospects.
Why were employer partnerships highlighted as important?
The solicitation underscored that training alone is often not enough. Participants also need pathways into the labor market, credibility with hiring partners, and practical assistance navigating job search and hiring processes.
What was the legal authority for this program?
The program authority came from Section 115 of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-199), which authorizes federal awards to support technology-based career training for people held in state prisons, local jails, tribal jails, and juvenile residential facilities.
What federal program listing or CFDA number was associated with this solicitation?
The solicitation was released under CFDA 16.812, identified as the Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative.
What type of funding instrument was used?
The funding instrument was a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates the federal agency expects more substantial involvement during implementation than with a standard grant, often through coordination, guidance, or collaboration.
Was there a cost share or match requirement?
No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching funds.
What was the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling was up to $750,000 per award.
Was there a minimum award amount?
The award floor was listed as $0, meaning the posted summary did not specify a minimum award amount.
What category was the opportunity listed under?
The opportunity category was listed under Law, Justice and Legal Services.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to government entities and tribal governments, specifically: state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.
Why was eligibility limited to government and tribal governments?
The structure reflected the program focus on correctional and reentry systems typically operated or overseen by public agencies and tribal authorities, and it encouraged proposals grounded in the operational realities of prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities, as well as local labor market conditions.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on March 30, 2015, and closed on May 19, 2015.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date was June 18, 2015.
How were applications submitted?
Applicants were directed to submit through Grants.gov.
Where could applicants get technical help with Grants.gov?
Technical support was available through the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline and the Grants.gov support email referenced in the posting.
Where would applicants find the full requirements and detailed rules?
The posting referenced a full announcement link for complete requirements. That full announcement would typically include items such as allowable costs, required program components, performance measures, reporting expectations, and any special conditions tied to delivering technology-focused training in secure facilities.
What did the program ultimately aim to achieve in practical terms?
In practical terms, the opportunity sought to fund programs that help incarcerated adults and youth build relevant technology skills before release, while also setting up support services and employer relationships needed to turn training into actual employment during reentry.
How did the solicitation describe the broader public value of the program?
The policy logic described was that increased access to stable jobs for returning citizens can support stronger reentry outcomes, benefit communities, improve public safety, and potentially reduce reoffending over time.
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