On February 23, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the availability of three new grant opportunities that could support pay-for-success strategies in combating recidivism. The three grant opportunities all fall under the Second Chance Act, which helps individuals exiting jail or prison make a safe and successful transition to the community.
Along with a pending grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Labor, this set of grants represents the administration’s first real foray into the realms of social impact bonds and pay-for performance. However, the DOJ initiatives more closely resemble the original social impact bond initiative launched in Peterborough, England, which also targets recidivism.
Eligibility for these grants is limited to states, local governments, and Indian tribes, which must design the major components of their proposed pay-for-success programs. Applications are due by April 24. Applications that include a pay-for-performance element will receive a preference.
The three grant programs are:
- Adult Offender Reentry Program for Planning and Demonstration Projects: Two types of grants are available: $50K 1-year planning grants and $750K 1-year grants for demonstration projects.
- Reentry Program for Adult Offenders with Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders: Grants for up to $600k over two years.
- Family-Based Offender Substance Abuse Treatment and Reentry Program: Grants for up to $300k over two years.
Applications that include a pay-for-success element must address several criteria. They must include supporting evidence for the approach taken, identify all sources of working capital, including both federal and non-federal funds, identify all participants, intermediaries or other management organizations, identify outcomes that can be measured and given a monetary value, and describe how outcomes will be measured.
More information can be found in a follow-up webinar that the Department of Justice co-convened with the Nonprofit Finance Fund on March 6.