BJA will only accept applications that demonstrate the proposed program will be administered jointly by an agency with responsibility for criminal or juvenile justice activities and a mental health agency.
The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) specifically funds collaborative programs to reduce criminal justice involvement by and improve outcomes for individuals with mental health disorders (MHDs) or mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUDs) who have come into contact with the criminal justice system or are leaving a custodial setting. Program activities include connecting individuals who have MHDs or MHSUDs with treatment and social services through support for the 988 national suicide and mental health crisis lifeline with programs and services including case management, crisis stabilization units and pre-arrest diversion, creating or expanding mental health courts or other court-based approaches to preliminarily qualified individuals, increasing prosecutor- or defense-led diversion strategies, creating connections with entities and/or providing supported employment services for people with behavioral health needs, utilizing specialized caseloads for probation, cross-system training of public safety officials and mental health providers, and increasing intergovernmental cooperation between state and local governments to support individuals with MHDs or MHSUDs.
For the purposes of this FY23 JMHCP solicitation, the definition of someone with MHD and the services that could be provided to individuals through this program includes individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder disorder (PTSD). Like other mental health disorders, TBI and PTSD are chronic diseases that may cause cognitive and psychological impairment.
WEBINAR
On February 14, 2023, at 3:00 p.m., ET, the Bureau of Justice Assistance will hold a webinar to provide a detailed overview of this opportunity and answer questions. Learn more about and register to participate in this webinar at https://bja.ojp.gov/events/responding-fy-2023-justice-and-mental-health-collaboration-program-jmhcp-solicitation.
