Federal money targets at-risk youth in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice announced today that approximately $222,000 in federal funds will be available for community programs that provide in-home services for at-risk youth.

The funds have been earmarked for public and private non-profit organizations and city or county governments in all of Kentuckys seven detention catchment areas, which encompass 119 counties. They are available through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Funding awards can total up to $111,000 and will be dispersed as subgrants to local non-profit agencies and/or local units of government that provide intensive in-home services. The programs must be evidence-based, trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate to prevent and reduce the numbers of youth entering out-of-home placement. They must serve youth ages 10 to 18, and award recipients will be required to accept all DJJ referrals.

State agencies are not eligible to apply.

The funds will be awarded on a per diem basis, and applicants are required to provide the following services as part of intensive in-home services:

• Crisis intervention
• Family therapy, support, and engagement
• Substance abuse treatment
• Mental health treatment
• Anger management
• Referrals to community services that can provide job training referrals and life skills services

The application can be accessed from Dec. 15, 2017 through Jan. 15, 2017 via the Department of Juvenile Justice website at www.djj.ky.gov. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Jan.15. Applications must be submitted as a PDF file to Jennifer Withrow at Jennifer.Withrow@ky.gov