Table of Contents

 
This funding opportunity is a program jointly sponsored by the Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to create a Youth Opportunity AmeriCorps. This program is consistent with the missions of OJJDP and CNCS, and within the objectives of the My Brother’s Keeper initiative. CNCS defines Opportunity Youth as economically disadvantaged individuals age 16-24 who are disconnected from school or work at least six months prior to service.  CNCS defines “disconnected from school or work” as unemployed, underemployed, and not in school for at least six months prior to service.  This program is specifically targeting Opportunity Youth that have been adjudicated in the juvenile justice system.  This program will provide Disconnected Youth with the opportunity to participate in a national service program and provide them with meaningful mentoring while they are serving. Disconnected Youth is defined as individuals at least 17 but under 25 years old who have been adjudicated in the juvenile justice system, convicted in the criminal justice system, or have been identified as at risk of incarceration.
 

Programs should target recruitment of two distinct types of AmeriCorps members: 

1. Disconnected Youth who will be engaged in direct service to address a compelling community need.  Disconnected Youth may serve as full-time or less than full-time members.  
 
2. Individuals who will have mentoring experience and/or applicable life experience to serve as mentors for Disconnected Youth. In addition to providing direct service that addresses the community need, these AmeriCorps members will provide direct service as coaches and mentors to guide and to support the successful participation of the Disconnected Youth members in the program and position them for success after their service ends. The program may enroll individuals over age 25 in this capacity, and members may be full-time or less than full-time.
 

Program objectives will include: 

  • Engaging AmeriCorps members in an evidence-based or evidence-informed approach to provide a service intervention that will result in intended solutions to community problems. 
  • Matching Disconnected Youth AmeriCorps members with the one-on-one mentoring and support services needed to establish a self-sustaining, law abiding life and successfully reintegrate into the community. 
  • Developing and implementing comprehensive and collaborative member development strategies that address the challenges posed by offender reentry, recidivism reduction, and youth at risk of incarceration. 
  • Stabilizing communities by reducing recidivism and reintegrating offenders into the community. 

Proposed programs should: 

  • Establish and maintain a mentoring relationship between the experienced member(s) and the Disconnected Youth AmeriCorps members. 
  • Be cognizant of and collaborate with other entities that also provide reentry or reentry-related activities. This includes engagement with probation and parole offices for partnerships, collaboration, and sharing of data and information if the members are court involved. 

Application Deadline:

A Letter of Intent is due Monday, April 20, 2015 no later than 5:00 pm EST.  Please refer to the Notice for instructions.
 
Applications are due Tuesday, May 26, 2015, no later than 5:00 pm EST.
 

Technical Assistance

AmeriCorps State and National has developed a webpage with resources for those interested in applying for AmeriCorps State and National grants. Please refer to Applying for AmeriCorps State and National Grants to find information on AmeriCorps.
 

Technical Assistance Call Schedule and Registration

Use the links below to register for a Technical Assistance call regarding the Youth Opportunity AmeriCorps Funding Opportunity. Each call will provide a general overview of the Funding Opportunity and allow time for questions from potential applicants.  Note: you will be asked to review the Notice of Funding Opportunity and Application Instructions prior to joining the call.  
 
Calls will be limited to 100 people. If multiple staff members from the same organization wish to participate, please register only once and use the same call-in line.  All calls will be recorded, and a replay number will be posted to this website after each call concludes.  The replay will be available through May 20, 2015. 
 
Technical Assistance Call #1: Monday, April 13, 2015, 1:00 pm Eastern time.  
Replay Number: 800-839-4232
 
Technical Assistance Call #2: Wednesday, April 29, 2015, 1:00 pm Eastern time. 
Replay Number: 888-296-6945
 

 

Further information

Status
Open
CFDA number
94.006
Contact Email
americorpsgrants@cns.gov