Priority funding to be awarded to programs serving racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 1, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that applications will be available on November 3, for an anticipated $133,163 in grant funding to help prevent youth crime in Kentucky.
“My administration remains committed to making sure Kentucky is a better and safer place for all our children to grow up,” Gov. Beshear said. “We have and will continue to invest in education and treatment that addresses the challenges faced by our at-risk youth.”
The Title II Formula Grants Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice to support state and local delinquency prevention and intervention efforts, and juvenile justice systems improvements.
Eligible applicants include public agencies, nonprofit programs, local units of government and private not-for-profit organizations providing youth with job training, mental health and substance abuse treatment, community-based programs and services, reentry/aftercare services and school programs to prevent truancy. Priority will be given to programs preventing justice system involvement or intervening with first-time and non-serious offenders to divert contact with the juvenile justice system.
“Communities play a primary role in preventing and intervening with youth in need of services to assure they become successful adults,” said Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Vicki Reed. “This federal grant funding allows the commonwealth to better assist youth from all backgrounds and communities.”
All applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. EST on Dec. 1, 2023, via Intelligrants10 (IGX), the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet's electronic Grants Management System. Assistance with the application process may be obtained by contacting Grants Management staff at jusigx@ky.gov.
Since taking office, Governor Beshear has worked each day to prevent crime to create a better, safer Kentucky while bringing sweeping changes to the commonwealth’s juvenile justice system, ensuring that all of Kentucky’s children receive opportunities to become the leaders of tomorrow.
On March 27, the Governor signed two pieces of legislation into law as part of his solid, aggressive plan to implement the most sweeping improvements in Kentucky’s juvenile justice system in recent history. The administration presented its juvenile justice legislative request to the General Assembly on Feb. 14 and the legislators adopted the request. Senate Bill 162 and House Bill 3 have been signed into law further protecting juveniles and staff at all DJJ facilities.
In February, Gov. Beshear raised detention center youth workers’ salaries to a minimum of $50,000 annually and reclassified the position title to correctional officer. All newly hired detention center correctional officers are being trained on the proper use of non-lethal defensive equipment.
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