FEDERAL AGENCY:

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, CORRECTIONS PROGRAM OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

AUTHORIZATION:

H.R. 5548, as approved under H.R. 4577, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2001.

The Offender Reentry Program (Young Offender Initiative: Reentry Grant Program) is a combined effort by DOJ, HHS, and DOL to assist jurisdictions in facing the challenges presented by the return of offenders from prison to the community. The goal is to improve risk management of released offenders by enhancing surveillance and monitoring, strengthening individual and community support systems, and repairing the harm done to victims. These initiatives are part of an ambitious effort by the sponsoring Federal agencies to help address the continuing problem of offenders entering the community after incarceration with little or no surveillance, accountability, or resource investment.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Generally, all funds provided under this program may be used for the purpose of the solicitation. The funding agencies intend to be as flexible as law allows in the use of their respective funds. However, there are specific statutory limitations to use funds received.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  Applicants must have established and described in their applications a partnership that includes all of the following eight entities: the State and local corrections or juvenile justice agencies, the State and local mental health and substance abuse agencies, and the State and local Workforce Investment Boards (WIB). In addition, applicants are encouraged to include other private sector and community or faith-based organizations as project partners. Multiple applications from States are encouraged. The partnership must select the lead agency to serve as the applicant and the fiscal agent or grantee. If the lead agency designates another to serve as fiscal agent, the lead will remain as grantee with ultimate responsibility for the grant. The lead agency and/or fiscal agent must be a State, local, or tribal agency or unit of government; public or private nonprofit entity with 501 (3)(c) status as designated by the IRS; or local WIB that has formed a partnership State and local agencies. Federally Recognized Indian Tribes must establish a partnership that includes, but is not limited to, entities or agencies that address corrections, juvenile justice, law enforcement, employment services, substance abuse, and mental health. Tribes may involve State level agencies as their key partners, although this is not a requirement. Instead, tribes may utilize tribal entities or agencies that perform these functions on behalf of the tribal community, but must submit the signatures of these key partners and describe their relationship. If a tribe utilizes State agencies as its key partners, then it must also utilize tribal agencies as the local partners and provide all of the required signatures. Tribes are required, as are all other applicants, to provide licenses (if applicable), documentation of accreditation or certification (if applicable) and, for substance abuse and mental health treatment providers, proof that they have been operating for at least 2 years.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  State, units of local government, tribes, and non-profit and community organizations.

Credentials/Documentation:  The applicant must submit a completed Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424), including signed assurances that it will comply with statutory and administrative requirements. The applicant is also required to submit a description that includes the goals of the program, the implementation process, timetable for implementation, how the State will coordinate substance abuse treatment activities at the State and local levels, and the State's law or policy requiring substance abuse testing of individuals in correctional residential substance abuse treatment programs.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Match is not required.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   24 months.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports: Recipients are required to submit quarterly Financial Reports, and semi-annual Progress Reports.

Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records: In accordance with the requirement set forth in 28 CFR, Parts 66 and 70, grantees must maintain all financial records supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the award for at least 3 years following the close of the most recent audit.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   15-0401-0-1-754.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $1,072,973; FY 02 est $43,110,527; and FY 03 est $15,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Approximately 25 grants at approximately $3,100,000 per grant.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

Program Application Kit and Questions and Answers posted regularly on the OJP website.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

None.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

See solicitation for selection criteria and required elements.