BJA Public Safety and Mental Health Grant: $42M for Crisis Response and Treatment Services

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), part of the U.S. Department of Justice, is offering $42 million in grants through the FY25 Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative. This program funds state, local, and tribal governments to address untreated mental illness and substance use disorders at the intersection of public safety and behavioral health systems.

With up to $3 million per award and 14 grants expected, this is one of the largest DOJ funding opportunities for communities looking to build crisis stabilization centers, expand treatment services, improve housing access for justice-involved individuals, and modernize electronic health record (EHR) systems.

Who Can Apply?

The following types of organizations are eligible to apply:

• State governments
• Native American Tribal governments (federally recognized)
• Units of local government (cities, counties, towns, boroughs, parishes, villages)
• Nonprofit and for-profit organizations that have been designated by a state mental health authority to provide mental health or substance use treatment services

A critical requirement: applications must include commitments from at least one justice agency AND at least one mental health or substance use treatment agency. These commitments must be documented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or letter of intent. This cross-system partnership is fundamental to the program's mission of bridging justice and behavioral health systems.

Four Core Funding Areas

The BJA Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative funds projects across four core areas. Applicants may apply under one or more of these categories:

1. Crisis Stabilization Centers

Funding to establish or expand crisis stabilization facilities that provide short-term mental health and substance use treatment as an alternative to arrest, incarceration, or emergency department visits. These centers serve as immediate diversion points where law enforcement can bring individuals in crisis instead of booking them into jail.

• Facility establishment or renovation
• Staffing for crisis intervention specialists
• 24/7 walk-in or law enforcement drop-off services
• Integration with existing 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and mobile crisis teams

2. Treatment Services

Programs that expand access to evidence-based treatment for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders who are involved in or at risk of involvement with the justice system. This includes:

• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders
• Overdose prevention and naloxone distribution
• Cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-based modalities
• Recovery support services including peer support specialists
• Co-occurring disorder treatment programs

3. Housing Access

Transitional and supportive housing programs for individuals with mental health or substance use conditions who are exiting the justice system or at risk of justice involvement. Housing instability is one of the leading drivers of recidivism, and this funding area addresses that directly.

• Transitional housing programs
• Supportive housing with wrap-around services
• Rental assistance paired with case management
• Housing navigation and placement services

4. EHR Systems and Technology Modernization

Funding to modernize or implement electronic health record systems that enable data sharing between justice and behavioral health agencies. Interoperable systems help ensure continuity of care as individuals move between jail, treatment, and community settings.

• EHR implementation or upgrade for behavioral health providers
• Data sharing infrastructure between justice and health systems
• Health information exchange (HIE) integration
• Training for staff on new technology systems

Cost Sharing Requirements

This grant has an escalating cost share requirement that increases over the project period:

• Years 1 and 2: 20% match required
• Year 3: 40% match required

The escalating match is designed to encourage communities to build sustainable funding sources over the grant period so programs can continue after federal funding ends. The match can come from state, local, or other non-federal sources. In-kind contributions may also count toward the match requirement.

For example, if you request $3,000,000 in BJA funding over 36 months, your organization would need to provide approximately $750,000 in matching funds across the project period (less in Years 1-2, more in Year 3).

Program Goals

The BJA Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative is built around three overarching goals:

1. Cross-system collaboration: Establish or strengthen partnerships between justice agencies and mental health/substance use treatment providers to address the needs of individuals with behavioral health conditions who are in contact with the justice system
2. Reduce burden on law enforcement: Create crisis response alternatives so that law enforcement officers are not the default first responders for mental health emergencies, freeing them to focus on public safety duties
3. Modernize health information systems: Improve data sharing and care coordination between justice and behavioral health systems through interoperable EHR and technology solutions

Two-Step Application Process

Unlike many federal grants that use a single submission portal, DOJ grants require a two-step process through both Grants.gov and JustGrants:

Step 1: Grants.gov (Due March 30, 2026)

Submit the SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and the SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities) through Grants.gov. This is a shorter initial submission, but missing this deadline means you cannot complete Step 2.

Step 2: JustGrants (Due April 6, 2026)

Submit the full application through the JustGrants portal. This includes:

• Project abstract (up to 400 words)
• Program narrative (up to 20 pages, double-spaced)
• Budget detail worksheet and budget narrative
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or letters of intent from partner agencies
• Tribal authorizing resolution (if applicable)
• Timeline and implementation plan
• Letters of support from key stakeholders

If you're not already registered on both Grants.gov and JustGrants, start the Grants.gov registration process and SAM.gov registration immediately, as these can take several weeks to complete.

How Applications Are Evaluated

BJA uses peer review panels to evaluate applications. While the specific point values are not published in the NOFO, the evaluation focuses on these key areas:

• Statement of the Problem: Clear description of the community's mental health, substance use, and public safety challenges, supported by data
• Project Design and Implementation: Well-defined goals, objectives, and activities that align with the four core funding areas
• Capabilities and Competencies: Demonstrated organizational capacity to manage a federal grant and deliver the proposed services
• Plan for Collecting Performance Data: How you will track outcomes and report on program effectiveness
• Budget: Reasonable, allowable, and allocable costs that align with the proposed activities

Applications that demonstrate strong cross-system partnerships, evidence-based approaches, and a plan for sustainability beyond the grant period will score higher.

Priority Considerations

BJA gives priority consideration to applications that address:

• Executive Order 14110 priorities: Applications that advance community safety through innovative approaches
• Underserved communities: Projects serving populations that have historically lacked access to behavioral health services
• Rural areas: Communities with limited existing infrastructure for crisis response and treatment
• Tribal communities: Programs that address the unique behavioral health challenges facing Native American populations

Getting Started with Your Application

1. Identify your partnership structure - You need at least one justice agency and one mental health/substance use agency committed to the project. Start those conversations now and draft your MOU.
2. Assess community needs - Gather data on mental health crisis calls, substance use rates, justice system involvement, homelessness, and gaps in your current service continuum
3. Choose your focus areas - Decide which of the four core areas (crisis stabilization, treatment, housing, EHR) best address your community's needs
4. Verify registrations - Confirm your organization has active registrations on SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and JustGrants. Ensure your UEI number is current.
5. Plan your budget with escalating match - Map out costs over 36 months, accounting for the 20% match in Years 1-2 and 40% match in Year 3
6. Submit SF-424 on Grants.gov by March 30 - Do not wait until the last day. Technical issues on Grants.gov are common near deadlines.
7. Submit full application on JustGrants by April 6 - Upload your program narrative, budget, MOU, and all supporting documents

How Avila Can Help

Applying for the BJA Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative requires a detailed program narrative, partnership documentation, and a multi-year budget with escalating match. Avila's AI-powered platform helps organizations streamline the grant writing process by:

• Tracking grant opportunities like this BJA program from federal databases
• Analyzing eligibility requirements and matching them to your organization's profile
• Generating draft narratives based on program requirements and your organizational data
• Ensuring compliance with page limits, formatting, and content requirements

With the Grants.gov deadline on March 30, 2026, time is limited. Contact Avila today to learn how our platform can help you secure funding to build crisis response capacity in your community.