DARYL FOX: Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the March 27, 2024, installment of “Today in Juvenile Justice: Administrator Update.” We’re glad you’re able to join us today. All audio lines are muted, as this is a listen-only briefing. For reference, this recording will be posted tomorrow to the OJJDP website. At this time, it’s my pleasure to introduce Liz Ryan, OJJDP Administrator, for today’s update.
LIZ RYAN: Hello, and welcome to “Today in Juvenile Justice.” I’m Liz Ryan, Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, or OJJDP.
Today, I’d like to talk to you about AmeriCorps and our partnership to enhance and expand services to justice-involved or formerly involved young people.
As you know, AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps addresses the nation’s most pressing challenges.
OJJDP awarded a $2.5 million grant to AmeriCorps to fund service activities for Second Chance youth.
By focusing on this group, AmeriCorps will use the funding to provide grants to community-based programs that enhance and expand reentry services for youth.
As AmeriCorps members, justice-involved young people will join the legion of other AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Senior volunteers who contribute to the broader societal good, foster civic engagement, and improve lives.
OJJDP and AmeriCorps will help these youth overcome the tough barriers they face upon reentry—unemployment, financial and housing insecurity, and missed educational opportunities—which all increase the risk of recidivism.
I can’t imagine a more effective and equitable way to improve public safety than by deploying justice-involved young people themselves, equipped with the tools and resources they need to make positive contributions to their families and their communities.
At its root, our partnership with AmeriCorps is about creating safer communities by supporting young people, offering them choices and access to opportunities so they can transition successfully back to their communities and make a real difference in their communities.
Studies have shown that young people who receive reentry and aftercare services are more likely to attend school, go to work, and avoid further transgressions.
OJJDP is providing support to communities through Second Chance funding to develop additional reentry resources that result in improved youth outcomes, reduced recidivism, and safer communities.
By supporting young people with more opportunities, we help them become community-minded citizens whose contributions benefit us all.
Finally, April is Second Chance Month. In observance, OJJDP will hear directly from youth about the support and services they need the most for successful reentry.
If you would like to receive updates on Second Chance Month activities, juvenile justice programs, funding opportunities, and more, I encourage you to visit our website at ojjdp.ojp.gov and subscribe to our JUVJUST email news service and our monthly newsletter, OJJDP News @ a Glance.
Now, let’s move to the "Ask the Administrator” portion of this call.
Today’s question is about reentry funding. Specifically, the question is, “Is there funding available for a reentry program that fits the culture of their city, and is there assistance available to help guide them through this process?”
The short answer is “yes.” OJJDP recently posted its Second Chance Act Youth Reentry Program solicitation. The program is designed to address and improve the reentry and recidivism challenges encountered by youth returning to their communities from juvenile, residential, or correctional facilities.
State governments, city or township governments, county governments, and federally recognized tribes are all eligible to apply!
Today, OJJDP hosted a webinar that provides a wealth of information about this solicitation and how to apply. To find this webinar, go to the search bar on our website and type in “webinars.”
I hope this was helpful.
Thank you for joining me today. I look forward to our next call on April 29th at 2:30 p.m. EST.
