Juvenile Diversion Planning Grant Program

Activities supported by this program are determined by statute (Indiana Code § 31-40-5-3) and Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) policies and procedures. If an applicant receives an award, the funded project is bound by the provisions of this solicitation and any other applicable laws, rules, policies, and regulations. Funds for this program will be awarded up front, rather than on a reimbursement basis. Verification of expenses along with verification of payment of expenses must be provided to ICJI on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Allowable activities and costs are those that support the planning of the implementation, operation, and delivery of services to youth involved in or youth to be diverted from the juvenile justice system. These activities include but may not be limited to:

• Activities that develop youth diversion programs.
• Activities that are evidence based or restorative justice projects.
• Activities aimed at recidivism reduction and the promotion of positive outcomes.
• Collaboration activities to plan the programs.
• Travel to observe promising programs in another area of the state.

ICJI strongly recommends programs that are evidence based or considered to be promising practices. The selected program may be altered to meet the requirements of the applicant, but fidelity should be maintained as closely as possible. More information regarding rated programs and practices, as well as examples of model programs may be found here or here.

Personnel, employee benefits, cost of supplies, and travel to perform the activities listed below are allowable costs. Overtime for grant funded staff is an allowable cost, but to claim the increased rate, there must be a separate line item in the budget that includes the overtime rate of pay.

• Planning activities for the development of a collaborative program.
  • Reasonable purchase of food for the purpose of planning activities is allowable.
• Technical assistance with respect to adherence, implementation, or application of model programs.
• Preparations and implementation of a chosen evidence-based project.

The following budget items listed below are ineligible and will not be supported by this program’s funding:

• Direct financial assistance to a client such as cash.
• Supplanting existing positions or offsetting existing expenses of the recipient.
• Lobbying.
• Fundraising (including financial campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions) and time spent procuring funding including completing federal and state funding applications.
• Purchase of real estate.
• Construction and physical modification to buildings, including minor renovations (such as painting or carpeting).
• Purchase of vehicles.
• Indirect cost rate and/or de minimis rate.

• Timeline: A timeline for the completion of the project and/or expenditure of the grant funds.
• The Collaboration Plan: It is required by IC § 31-40-5-5 that a collaboration plan is created by either the local or regional justice reinvestment advisory council or some other collaborative body that includes stakeholders across the juvenile justice system, to oversee each grant award to the county and to engage in collaborative service planning for the county.
• Audit Record: Include your most recent State Board of Accounts or independent audit.
• Miscellaneous 
  • If applying for funds for personnel costs, attach the relevant job descriptions.
  • If applicable, attach other requested information.