The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) is seeking applications for funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Multistate Mentoring Programs Initiative. This program furthers the Department’s mission by supporting mentoring programs to reduce juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, victimization, and high-risk behaviors such as truancy. This solicitation provides funding for applicant organizations to enhance and expand mentoring services for children and youth. There are two categories under which organizations can apply: Category 1: Mentoring Organizations (5 to 44 states). Category 2: Mentoring Organizations (1 to 4 states). The program’s goal is to improve outcomes (such as improved academic performance and reduced school dropout rates) for at-risk and high-risk youth, and reduce negative outcomes (including juvenile delinquency, substance use, and gang participation) through mentoring. Objectives OJJDP has identified the following specific program objectives: Increase the number of youth receiving mentoring services. Increase or maintain the number of well-trained mentors. Develop and implement program design enhancements that align with research and evidence on effective mentoring approaches. Deliverables Provide high-quality mentoring services that meet the needs associated with the target population(s) and that will reduce delinquency or other problem behaviors in at-risk youth. Applicants under all categories should identify the proposed target population(s) and explain how the proposed mentoring approach will appropriately respond to their unique needs in a way that is likely to promote positive outcomes. Identify and implement program design enhancements in one or more of the six core practice areas listed in the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring, 4th as highlighted on OJJDP’s National Mentoring Resource Center website. Address how the applicant will promote family engagement as part of the program design or approach. Programs will develop services for mentees and their families. For Category 1, applicants should explain how they are able to have the broadest reach with their proposed services and mentoring organizational capacity. OJP Policy Priority Areas In FY 2021 and in addition to executing any program-specific prioritization that may be applicable, OJP will give priority consideration to applications for Category 2 as follows: Applications that address specific challenges that rural communities face. Applications that demonstrate that the individuals who are intended to benefit from the requested grant reside in high-poverty areas or persistent-poverty counties. Applications that offer enhancements to public safety in economically distressed communities (Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs)). Applications that demonstrate a partnership with a law enforcement agency via an MOU or analogous document. Funding Information Period of Performance Start Date: 10/1/21 12:00 AM Period of Performance Duration (Months): 36 Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation: $26,000,000.00 Award Ceiling: $4,000,000 Eligible Applicants Category 1: Mentoring Organizations (5 to 44 states) Eligible entities are those mentoring organizations that have operated an established mentoring program for at least 3 years and have active chapters or sub awardees in at least 5 states but fewer than 45 states. Category 2: Mentoring Organizations (1 to 4 states) Eligible entities are those mentoring organizations that have operated an established mentoring program for at least 3 years and have active chapters or sub awardees in four or fewer states. Applicants are expected to submit an attachment labeled "Mentoring organizational history" that demonstrates the timeframe that the organization has been in operation and providing mentoring services. This can include a statement on agency letterhead attesting to the start date of providing mentoring services. For more information, visit Grants.gov.