OJJDP Announces Continuum of Care Grant Initiative to Promote Community Safety and Better Outcomes for Youth

Harrisburg, Penn. — Liz Ryan, Administrator of the Office of Justice Programs’ Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), will join state and local officials to announce grant awards totaling $17 million from the “Building Local Continuums of Care to Support Youth Success” initiative. Funding under the new initiative will support 23 grantees and three training and technical assistance providers.

The Continuum of Care framework supports a network of services and opportunities to foster positive youth development and prioritizes community safety and effective program outcomes. This new OJJDP investment leverages decades of evidence-based learning to prevent youth from entering or deepening their involvement in the juvenile justice system and steer them on a path to success. At its core, the continuum of care approach is community-driven, leverages local insights, and addresses youth needs through mentoring, after-school programs and other prosocial activities.

Who:
• Liz Ryan, Administrator, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
• Lisa Varon, Deputy Director, Philadelphia Office of Criminal Justice
• Mike Pennington, Executive Director, PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency
• Lori Toscano, Director, Justice Technical Assistance, WestEd Justice & Prevention Research Center
• Will Kiefer, Founder/Executive Director, Bench Mark Program
• Shilah and Trevor, Youth participants at Bench Mark Program

What: The grantee awards announcement is open to the press.

When: April 11, 2024
• Opening remarks and framework/awards announcement, 10:00 to 10:20 a.m.
• Grantee awardee remarks, 10:20 to 10:40 a.m.
• Guest speakers, 10:40 to 10:50 a.m.
• Closing remarks, 10:50 to 11:00 a.m.

Where: Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, 3101 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17110

Note: All media must RSVP and present government-issued photo I.D. (such as a driver’s license) as well as valid media credentials. Media may begin arriving at 9:00 a.m. on April 11, 2024. All cameras must be pre-set by 9:50 a.m. For inquiries, interviews and to RSVP, please contact [email protected]

The information in this media advisory is strictly for planning purposes and is embargoed until April 11 at 10:00 a.m.

About the Office of Justice Programs

The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime; advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law.  More information about OJP and its program offices – the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime, and SMART Office – can be found at www.ojp.gov.

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OFFICE: ojjdp.ojp.gov
CONTACT: OJP Media at [email protected]