FY 2026 Expanding Youth Access to Community-Based Treatment
🏛 Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention (USDOJ-OJP-OJJDP)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 8, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for community-based organizations developing or expanding treatment programs for youth with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health issues.
Eligible applicants typically include nonprofits, community health centers, and local government entities serving youth at risk of or involved with the juvenile justice system. The program supports organizations that implement cross-system approaches to improve treatment access and outcomes.
Geographic scope is national. Programs should serve youth aged 12-18 (typical for OJJDP initiatives) with a focus on preventing reoffending and reducing recidivism through community-based treatment services.
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Program description
This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the OJJDP FY 2026 Expanding Youth Access to Community-Based Treatment program. This opportunity will fund community-based treatment programs serving youth with substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUD). Selected community-based programs will develop or expand cross-system approaches to improve responses and outcomes for youth with SUDs and MHSUDs who are at risk of or have already been in the juvenile justice system by increasing access to community-based treatment, as appropriate, to address their substance use and mental health needs to prevent reoffending and recidivism.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Community Health Center
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Letters of support/MOUs from justice system partners
- Organization's 501(c)(3) determination letter (if nonprofit)
- Proof of nonprofit status or government entity status
- Resumes or biographical sketches of key staff
- Evaluation plan with baseline data
Program contact
- 👤 Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention
- 📧 OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov
- 📞 0000000000
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 16.838 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$18,533,000
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$9,600,000
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$8,911,329
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$7,000,000
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$7,000,000
-
$7,000,000
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$7,000,000
-
$7,000,000
-
$7,000,000
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$7,000,000
Top States by Funding
- FL 5 awards $37.0M
- OH 10 awards $29.9M
- MD 5 awards $27.7M
- MA 8 awards $27.0M
- WV 3 awards $19.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, community health centers, and local government agencies serving youth can apply. Prior OJJDP experience is not required but organizations must demonstrate capacity to implement evidence-based treatment.
What activities does this grant fund?
Development or expansion of community-based treatment programs for youth with substance use and mental health disorders. Funding supports cross-system coordination, treatment services, and recidivism reduction efforts.
What is the typical award amount?
Award amounts typically range around $650,000 per grant. The total funding pool is $4,000,000, which suggests approximately 6-7 awards. Specific amounts vary by proposal and applicant capacity.
Is cost-sharing required?
No, cost-sharing is not required for this grant. However, demonstrating leveraged resources or in-kind support strengthens competitiveness.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is November 16, 2026. Applications must be submitted by the end of business on that date through Grants.gov.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Lead with evidence. Show data on youth SUDs/MHSUDs in your target area and gaps in current community-based treatment access.
- Emphasize cross-system collaboration. Describe partnerships with schools, courts, law enforcement, and treatment providers to create coordinated responses.
- Include outcome metrics. Define specific, measurable targets for treatment access, engagement rates, and recidivism reduction over the grant period.
- Demonstrate organizational capacity. Highlight staff experience, existing infrastructure, and past successes serving justice-involved youth.
- Budget realistically for sustainability. Explain how the program will continue or be sustained beyond the grant funding period.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when organizations don't clearly connect treatment expansion to juvenile justice outcomes. Vague descriptions of "cross-system approaches" without concrete partnerships or MOUs weaken proposals. Weak evaluation plans that lack clear baselines or justice-system metrics are commonly rejected.
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