Diverting Children, Adolescents and Young Adults from Criminal Justice System Involvement

The Massachusetts Probation Service, under the Trial Court Commissioner of Probation, is soliciting proposals for the Fiscal Year 2027 Juvenile Diversion grant program. This initiative seeks to fund Massachusetts cities, towns, or community-based providers to pilot or expand multidisciplinary, community-based approaches designed to divert children, adolescents, and young adults from the criminal justice system. The program specifically targets at-risk juveniles aged 11 to 18 and emerging adults aged 18 to 24, focusing on interventions that occur prior to arrest or arraignment through coordinated prevention and alternative case processing. A total of 500,000 dollars is available, with individual awards ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 dollars. Administrative costs are capped at five percent of the grant value. The performance period runs from July 13, 2026, to March 31, 2027. Applications must be submitted via the COMMBUYS Bid Q&A Tool by October 16, 2026, though awards are made on a rolling basis. Evaluation factors include the identification of target populations, evidence of performance, milestone mapping, and expected impacts. Preference is given to applicants utilizing evidence-based practices and those providing written commitments of collaboration from law enforcement, schools, and other government agencies.