​Priority funding to be awarded to programs diverting youth from the juvenile justice system

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 31, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that applications will be available on April 4, for an anticipated $445,000 in grant funding to aid in preventing youth crime across the commonwealth.

“My administration remains committed to making sure Kentucky is a better and safer place for all of Kentucky’s children to grow up,” Gov. Beshear said. “We must invest in education and treatment that addresses the challenges faced by our at-risk youth. This grant funding is critical to achieving that mission.”

The Title II Formula Grants Program, administered by the United States Department of Justice, supports state and local delinquency prevention and intervention efforts, and juvenile justice systems improvements. Eligible applicants include public agencies, nonprofit programs, local units of government and private not-for-profit organizations providing youth with job training, mental health and substance abuse treatment, community-based programs and services, reentry/aftercare services, and school programs to prevent truancy. Priority will be given to programs preventing justice system involvement or intervening with first-time and non-serious offenders to divert contact with the juvenile justice system.

“Communities play a primary role in preventing and intervening with youth in need of services to assure they become successful adults,” said Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Commissioner Vicki Reed. “This federal grant funding allows the commonwealth to better assist youth from all backgrounds and communities.”

All applications must be submitted online via Intelligrants (IG), the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet's electronic Grants Management System.

New applicants will be required to establish an account and become familiar with the system well in advance of the due date. Applicants should also note that validating a new user account requires 48 to 72 hours. 

Applications are due May 12, 2023, at 5pm EST and awards are expected to be announced in September.

Assistance with the application process may be obtained by contacting Grants Management staff at JUSGMB@ky.gov.

Beshear-Coleman Administration Improvements to Juvenile Justice System
On March 27, the Governor signed two pieces of legislation into law as part of his solid, aggressive plan to implement the most sweeping improvements in Kentucky’s juvenile justice system in its history. The administration presented its juvenile justice legislative request to the General Assembly on Feb. 14 and the legislators adopted the request. Senate Bill 162 and House Bill 3 have been signed into law further protecting juveniles and staff at all DJJ facilities.

“We told the General Assembly what was needed to better protect our juveniles and staff, and while these two bills don’t include everything needed, they do contain critical funding for staff, equipment and the work needed to renovate the downtown Louisville facility,” said Gov. Beshear. “Thank you to Sen. Danny Carroll for listening to our proposals and working with us to include about 70% of our needs. This is a good step forward and I appreciate the General Assembly for taking these steps.”

In February, Gov. Beshear raised detention center youth workers’ salaries to a minimum of $50,000 annually and reclassified the position title to correctional officer. On Feb. 23, DJJ welcomed 81 new security personnel and continue to receive an increased number of applicants for open correctional officer and youth worker positions. All newly hired detention center correctional officers are being trained on the proper use of non-lethal defensive equipment.

In January, the Governor announced his solid, aggressive plan to address the challenges in juvenile detention facilities and enhance youth and staff safety.

In Dec. 2022,for the first time in Kentucky, the Governor ordered DJJ to open a female-only detention center in Campbell County and separate male juveniles by security level based on the severity of their offense.

In Nov. 2022, DJJ created a Compliance Branch to conduct random staff interviews and unannounced facility inspections. The branch’s goal is to enhance safety and security throughout DJJ and make recommendations to leadership for improvements.

Gov. Beshear and DJJ awarded $354,666 in grant funding in Oct. 2022 to assist state and local governments in reducing juvenile crime by preventing justice system involvement or intervening with first-time and non-serious offenders to divert contact with the juvenile justice system.

The Governor and Commissioner Reed reopened the Mayfield Youth Development Center, located in Graves County in July 2022 after the facility experienced extensive damage from the December 2021 tornadoes.