OJJDP FY21 Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program | O OJJDP 2021 48001

OJJDP FY21 Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program (JDTC) - FAQs

1) What is the OJJDP FY21 Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Program?

It is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). It focuses on strengthening community responses for youth involved in the justice system who are struggling with substance-related issues by supporting Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts (JDTCs).

2) What is the main purpose of this grant?

The program is designed to build the capacity of eligible jurisdictions to either start new JDTCs or improve and expand existing JDTCs. The central goal is to support court-based interventions that address substance use and related behavioral health needs through a structured, supervised approach emphasizing treatment, accountability, and coordinated services rather than relying only on punitive responses.

3) What is a Juvenile Drug Treatment Court (JDTC) in the context of this opportunity?

In this opportunity, a JDTC refers to a court-based intervention model that integrates judicial supervision with treatment services and coordinated supports for youth with substance-related needs. The model emphasizes structured oversight, accountability, and connection to services to address substance use and related behavioral health concerns.

4) Who is the federal agency offering this funding?

The funding is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).

5) What types of applicants are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, and city or township governments, as well as federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The eligibility list also includes "Others," with the instruction to consult the solicitation for additional eligibility details, which may include certain court entities or justice system partners depending on program rules.

6) Does the opportunity support starting a new JDTC, or only improving an existing one?

It supports both: jurisdictions may apply to start new Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts or to improve and expand existing JDTCs.

7) What populations is this program intended to serve?

The program is intended to serve youth involved in the justice system who are struggling with substance-related issues, including youth with substance use disorders and, often, co-occurring mental health disorders. It also recognizes that many affected youth may have histories of trauma.

8) How does the solicitation define "substance use disorder"?

The solicitation aligns with clinical standards by referencing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Under that terminology, "substance use disorder" refers to repeated alcohol and/or drug use that leads to significant impairment, such as health problems, disabilities, or difficulties meeting responsibilities at school, at home, or in other areas of daily life.

9) Does the program address co-occurring mental health disorders?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes serving young people with substance use disorders and notes that many may also have co-occurring mental health disorders, with JDTC approaches encouraged to account for these needs as part of effective programming.

10) Does the program include a trauma-informed emphasis?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly recognizes that many youth affected by substance use may have histories of trauma and encourages approaches that account for trauma-related needs as part of treatment planning and court oversight.

11) What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?

The funding instrument type is a Grant.

12) What category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is categorized under Law, Justice and Legal Services.

13) What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA number is 16.585.

14) What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is O-OJJDP-2021-48001.

15) When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on December 21, 2020.

16) What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date was February 5, 2021.

17) How many awards did OJJDP anticipate making?

OJJDP anticipated making about 15 awards under this solicitation.

18) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed?

The listed award ceiling is $10,500,000, reflecting the maximum potential award amount referenced for this opportunity.

19) What types of activities does the grant prioritize?

Based on the provided information, the grant prioritizes implementing or enhancing juvenile drug treatment court models that integrate treatment services with judicial supervision, particularly for youth with substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health needs, and trauma histories.

20) Where does the opportunity point for general background on substance use disorders?

The opportunity points applicants to SAMHSA resources on substance use disorders at https://www.samhsa.gov/disorders/substance-use.

21) What does the "Others" eligibility category mean?

"Others" indicates there may be additional eligible applicant types beyond the listed government entities. The provided information notes that applicants should consult the solicitation text under additional eligibility details, which often clarifies whether specific court entities, state administrative offices of the courts, or other justice system partners may qualify and what partnerships may be required.

22) What is the overall approach encouraged by this program compared to traditional responses?

The program encourages a coordinated, supervised court-based approach that emphasizes treatment, accountability, and integrated services to address substance use and behavioral health needs, rather than relying only on traditional punitive responses.