Court Improvement Program (CIP) Court Navigator Grant
🏛 Ohio Judiciary / Supreme Court
✓ Free, no account · Source: Ohio Grants Partnership · Last verified Jul 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for Ohio juvenile courts implementing a Court Navigator Pilot Program in abuse, neglect, and dependency cases. Only one juvenile court will be competitively selected statewide. The project must serve to enhance family engagement, increase court participation, and improve permanency outcomes for children and families. Court Navigators assist court users in understanding processes and accessing resources without providing legal advice.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
The Supreme Court of Ohio is requesting grant applications to support the implementation of a Court Navigator Pilot Program within abuse, neglect, and dependency (A/N/D) cases. One applicant juvenile court will be competitively selected to receive funding through a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, administered under the Court Improvement Program (CIP) by the Children and Families Section. Court Navigators are trained individuals who assist court users in understanding court processes, accessing resources, navigating systems, and preparing for meaningful participation in court proceedings. Court Navigators do not provide legal advice or represent parties. Rather, they serve as a bridge between families, service providers, attorneys, and the court by helping individuals understand expectations, access information, and overcome barriers to participation. This pilot initiative seeks to implement the Court Navigator model to enhance family engagement, increase participation in court proceedings, strengthen collaboration among system partners, reduce barriers to access, and promote more timely permanency outcomes for children and families involved in Ohio’s child welfare system. The initiative will include an evaluation component to assess the effectiveness of the Court Navigator model in abuse, neglect, and dependency cases. Applications will be received until 5:00 p.m. on August 5, 2026, and must be sent via email to CFC@sc.ohio.gov.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Grant application form (likely SF-424 or Ohio-specific equivalent)
- Project narrative describing Court Navigator implementation
- Evaluation plan with baseline and outcome measures
- Timeline for pilot implementation
- Letters of support from system partners (court staff, attorneys, agencies)
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation
Program contact
- 👤 Linda Topping
- 📧 Linda.Topping@sc.ohio.gov
- 📞 (614) 387-9389
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.586 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$3,018,582
-
$2,733,275
-
$2,116,609
-
$2,109,658
-
$2,095,406
-
$2,074,619
-
$1,884,039
-
$1,853,476
-
$1,838,674
-
$1,832,481
Top States by Funding
- CA 9 awards $14.2M
- TX 9 awards $12.5M
- FL 5 awards $6.4M
- NY 6 awards $6.4M
- WA 7 awards $4.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.586). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $29,000,000 | |
| 2025 | $29,319,245 | |
| 2026 est. | $38,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
One Ohio juvenile court selected through competitive review. The court must be able to implement the Court Navigator Pilot Program in A/N/D cases.
What is a Court Navigator?
A trained individual who helps families understand court processes, access resources, and overcome barriers to participation. Navigators do not provide legal advice.
What is the deadline?
August 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Applications must be emailed to CFC@sc.ohio.gov.
What outcomes are expected?
Enhanced family engagement, increased court participation, reduced access barriers, and improved permanency outcomes for children and families.
Is there cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this grant.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your application on how navigators will reduce barriers for families and increase meaningful court participation in A/N/D cases.
- Clearly describe your court's readiness to implement the pilot and identify experienced staff who will serve as Court Navigators.
- Explain how you will coordinate with service providers, attorneys, and other system partners to make navigators effective.
- Include evaluation plans showing how you will measure impacts on family engagement, participation rates, and permanency timelines.
- Address specific challenges your court faces that Court Navigators can help solve.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants underestimate the importance of system partner collaboration; Court Navigators succeed only with buy-in from courts, attorneys, and agencies. Weak evaluation plans fail to demonstrate measurable outcomes for family engagement and permanency. Proposals that position navigators as legal advisors or case managers misunderstand the role and will be rejected.
Similar grants
- OPEN Court Improvement Program (CIP) Mediation Grant — Ohio Judiciary / Supreme Court
- OPEN Court Improvement Program (CIP) Technology Grant — Ohio Judiciary / Supreme Court
- OPEN Kinship Navigator Programs: Evaluations — Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB
- OPEN Tribal Court Improvement Program — Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB
- OPEN Kinship Navigator Programs: Replication and Tribal Adaptation — Administration for Children and Families - ACYF/CB