OJJDP FY 2021 Opioid Affected Youth Initiative | O OJJDP 2021 41004

OJJDP FY 2021 Opioid Affected Youth Initiative (CFDA 16.842) - FAQs

What is the OJJDP FY 2021 Opioid Affected Youth Initiative?

The OJJDP FY 2021 Opioid Affected Youth Initiative is a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). It is intended to help jurisdictions and organizations build or strengthen practical, community-based responses for children, youth, and families harmed by the opioid epidemic.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The main purpose is to support implementation of programs and strategies that identify opioid-related needs early, respond effectively during crises, connect youth and families to treatment and recovery supports, and provide longer-term services that reduce risk while improving safety and stability.

How does this initiative connect opioid impacts to public safety?

OJJDP frames opioid misuse and opioid-related trauma as issues that can lead to deeper system involvement, victimization, or delinquency if unaddressed. The initiative aims to protect public safety by addressing underlying harms early, before they translate into more serious justice or safety outcomes.

What types of activities or approaches does the initiative emphasize?

The initiative emphasizes real-world implementation of coordinated strategies, such as identifying needs early, responding to crises, improving access to treatment and recovery supports, and providing wraparound services that support stability in areas like housing, schooling, and family functioning.

Is the opportunity focused on research or on implementation?

Based on the description provided, the initiative is oriented toward real-world implementation rather than research alone, with a focus on practical community-based programs and coordinated response strategies.

What is meant by "community-based responses" in this opportunity?

Community-based responses generally refer to services and strategies delivered through local systems and organizations. The opportunity language suggests coordinated work across sectors such as juvenile justice, child welfare, schools, behavioral health and substance use treatment providers, healthcare, victim services, and community-based organizations.

What kind of coordination does OJJDP appear to expect?

The description points to cross-sector coordination among multiple systems that touch youth and families. This can include developing screening and referral pathways and linking youth and caregivers to treatment, recovery supports, and longer-term stabilization services.

What outcomes are implied or expected from proposed approaches?

The solicitation language links prevention and intervention work to outcomes such as reduced justice system involvement, fewer crises requiring law enforcement or emergency response, improved wellbeing, and stronger protective factors for youth.

What federal agency is offering this funding opportunity?

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

What type of funding instrument is used?

Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement.

What does a cooperative agreement mean for award recipients?

A cooperative agreement typically indicates that the federal agency anticipates a more active partnership with award recipients than under a standard grant.

What category is this opportunity listed under?

The opportunity falls under the Law, Justice and Legal Services category.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 16.842.

How many awards were anticipated?

OJJDP anticipated making approximately 11 awards.

What is the maximum funding amount per award?

The award ceiling was $750,000 per award.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on December 22, 2020.

What was the original application deadline?

The original application deadline was February 8, 2021.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes: state governments; county governments; city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions); for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses); and small businesses.

Does the opportunity allow tribal applicants?

Yes. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments.

Are nonprofits eligible?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions) are listed as eligible applicants.

Are for-profit organizations and small businesses eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses) and small businesses are included in the eligibility list.

Are educational institutions eligible to apply?

Yes. Independent school districts, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.

Are housing authorities eligible?

Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included as eligible applicants.

What does the "Others" eligibility category mean?

The listing notes an "Others" category with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. This suggests OJJDP may allow additional applicant types or specific configurations (such as partnerships or consortia), depending on the solicitation language.

What populations does the initiative aim to support?

The initiative is designed to support children, youth, and families who have been harmed by the opioid epidemic, including young people and families in crisis and those needing longer-term recovery and stabilization supports.

What kinds of needs is the initiative intended to address?

The initiative is intended to address opioid-related needs and opioid-related trauma by supporting early identification, effective crisis response, connection to treatment and recovery, and longer-term services that reduce risk and improve safety and stability.

What is the overall intent of the initiative?

The overall intent is to strengthen community safety and resilience by addressing the opioid epidemic's cascading effects on young people and families through coordinated, community-based strategies.