California is poised to grant an estimated $103.7 million in funding for community programs that support mental health, drug treatment, and rehabilitation for people involved with the justice system. Public agencies — defined as county, city, or tribal government departments – must be the lead applicants for this funding, but they are required to share at least 50 percent of awarded funding with a nonprofit partner. These grants will strengthen and increase community-based options for people struggling with mental health, substance use or other issues that incarceration has failed to address.
Program proposals seeking Prop 47 funding are due on February 21. To find out more about how to apply and how to get involved please contact Erica Webster at ewebster@cjcj.org.
The Prop 47 application can be found online on the Board of State and Community Correction’s Prop 47 webpage along with answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), county data sets, and relevant contact information.
Public Engagement- Contact your city council, county board of supervisors or tribal government agency to see if it plans to apply for Prop 47 funding.
- Find out if any department is the lead applicant, and ask if 1) a Prop 47 Local Advisory Committee has been formed or 2) what other community outreach efforts are underway.
The Prop 47 application requires the lead public agency to establish a “Prop 47 Local Advisory Committee.” This committee must consist of diverse stakeholders who will be impacted by the Prop 47 proposals, including but not limited to: behavioral health professionals, educators, community-based service providers, and individuals impacted by the justice system. The public agency must also conduct outreach efforts and host regular meetings to update, inform, and solicit feedback from the community. If you are a nonprofit employee whose organization plans to apply for Prop 47 funding, serving on a Local Advisory Committee could be a financial conflict of interest.
Some counties have already begun this process. For example, Alameda County solicited formerly incarcerated individuals or their family members to serve on its Local Advisory Committee. If Alameda County receives Prop 47 funding, this committee would identify community needs, determine how to best address those needs through Prop 47 funding, and provide continuous feedback throughout implementation of Prop 47 programs.
Yolo County’s Health and Human Services Agency led a series of community meetings earlier this month and encouraged feedback from the public, including justice-involved individuals, to suggest how Prop 47 funding should be used if awarded.
Funding Opportunities- If you’re a community-based service provider interested in Prop 47 funding, see the full application (the “Request for Proposals”) for a more detail.
- Reach out to potential partering public agencies, for example a public health department or a health and human services department, and let them know you are interested in partnering.
The Prop 47 funding application was crafted by a diverse committee of community leaders and justice system stakeholders who prioritize community-based services and engagement with those most impacted by the criminal justice system. Proposed programs must emphasize the principles of restorative justice, and culturally competent, trauma-informed care for historically underserved populations. Some key elements of the application include:
- Public agencies must partner with one or more nonprofit organizations, and nonprofits and may serve as a partner on more than one program proposal.
- All nonprofits that receive Prop 47 grants through a public agency must have a proven track record of working with the target population and be able to collect data and evaluate their program.
- Proposals that include services provided inside of county jails (with the exception of outreach and reentry planning) are not eligible for funding.
- In addition to mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, diversion programs, or some combination, applicants are encouraged to provide housing or other supportive services, such as job skills training, case management, and civil legal services. (See diagram below).
- Grants for these projects are divided into small scope and large scope. Small scope projects may apply for up to $1 million over a 38-month grant period, and large scope projects may apply for up to $6 million over the grant period. The entirety of Los Angeles County may apply for $20 million over the 38-month grant period.