OJJDP FY 19 Youth Gang Desistance/Diversion Grant Program

This solicitation will focus on targeted efforts to reduce gang activity by focusing on strategies to disrupt recruitment and incentivize desistance by supporting programs that offer alternative support mechanisms for youth. Law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies will be critical partners for this proposed initiative. Funding to prosecutorial and law enforcement agencies would support diversion activities as well as targeted incentives such as tattoo removal and life skill training for youthful gang members seeking to desist from gang activity. OJJDP has a long history of supporting community efforts to combat gang crime. Through OJJDP's Comprehensive Gang Model, communities can implement a comprehensive approach to gang crime and youth violence reduction. Eligible applicants will be required to implement OJJDP's Comprehensive Gang Model by working with the National Gang Center, and may use grant funds to support gang desistance/diversion activities.