OJJDP FY25 Family-Based Alternative Justice | Apply Online

FAQs: OJJDP FY25 Family-Based Alternative Justice Grant (O-OJJDP-2025-172525)

What is this grant opportunity?

The OJJDP FY25 Family-Based Alternative Justice grant is a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). It is listed under CFDA 16.738 and falls within the Law, Justice and Legal Services category.

What is the main purpose of the program?

The program is designed to help communities implement new, or strengthen existing, family-based alternative sentencing and diversion efforts for parents and primary caregivers who are already involved in the criminal justice system or who are at clear risk of becoming involved.

Who is the target population for supported programs?

Supported programs focus on parents and primary caregivers with criminal justice involvement or who are at clear risk of justice involvement, with the broader goal of improving outcomes for their children and stabilizing the family unit when it is safe and appropriate.

What does "family-based alternative justice" mean in this context?

In this opportunity, family-based alternative justice refers to structured alternatives to traditional prosecution and incarceration that are designed to keep families together when appropriate, while providing targeted support to address the underlying issues contributing to justice involvement. These approaches aim to combine accountability with rehabilitation, family unification, and family preservation.

At what points in the justice process does OJJDP want alternatives implemented?

The NOFO emphasizes alternatives that occur at the front end of the justice system, particularly at pre-arrest and pre-sentencing decision points.

Why is the grant focused on pre-arrest and pre-sentencing approaches?

Front-end approaches can identify eligible caregivers early, connect them to services quickly, and offer a supervised and accountable plan that justice partners can rely on as a credible alternative to incarceration.

What outcomes is this grant trying to achieve?

The opportunity is intended to support strategies that (1) keep families intact when possible, (2) support safe parenting and household stability, (3) reduce trauma and instability for children linked to separation and repeated system involvement, (4) reduce the likelihood that children enter foster care due to caregiver incarceration, and (5) lower the likelihood of future justice involvement for caregivers.

How does the program connect family preservation to public safety?

The program frames rehabilitation, family unification, and family preservation as public safety strategies. Rather than defaulting to jail or prison for caregivers, funded approaches are meant to hold people accountable while reducing long-term harm to children, families, and communities.

Is this grant only for jurisdictions that already have an alternative program in place?

No. The grant is intended to help communities implement new efforts or strengthen existing family-based alternative sentencing and diversion programs.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

A wide range of applicants are eligible, including:

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Federally recognized tribal governments
• Nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), excluding institutions of higher education)
• For-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits)
• Other eligible entities

Are units of local government the only intended applicants?

No. While units of local government are specifically highlighted, eligibility is broader than local government alone. The opportunity description suggests OJJDP expects multi-sector applicants and partnerships that can coordinate justice, child and family services, and community-based supports.

Does the grant encourage partnerships?

Yes. The description points toward collaborations that can identify eligible caregivers early, rapidly connect them to services, and provide an accountable alternative plan that courts and other justice partners consider credible.

How much funding is available per award?

The award ceiling is $750,000 per award.

How many awards does OJJDP expect to make?

OJJDP expects to make approximately 4 awards.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is O-OJJDP-2025-172525.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.738.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on 2026-03-25.

What is the application closing date?

The original application closing date is 2026-05-04.

What kinds of justice alternatives are most aligned with this NOFO?

Based on the description, the most aligned approaches are structured diversion and alternative sentencing pathways that operate before arrest and before sentencing, and that allow families to remain together when safe and appropriate while the caregiver receives targeted supports.

What is the role of accountability in these alternative approaches?

The program is designed to avoid default incarceration while still holding caregivers accountable through supervised, structured alternatives that justice partners can trust as credible substitutes for prosecution and incarceration.

What child and family impacts does this grant specifically aim to reduce?

The grant emphasizes reducing trauma and instability for children that can result from separation, foster care entry due to caregiver incarceration, and repeated system involvement.