Community-Based Organizations Are Invited to Submit an Application for Funding to Provide Wraparound Supports and Development Opportunities for Baltimore Youth by Jan 4.
BALTIMORE, MD (December 5, 2022) – Today, the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) announced a Request for Applications (RFA) for Baltimore community-based organizations interested in partnering with the City of Baltimore as a referral partner for the SideStep Pre-Arrest Youth Diversion Pilot. For this grant, MONSE will provide nine (9) $50,000 grants and one (1) $25,000 grant to community-based organizations to provide services to referred youth between 2/1/2023-6/30/2023.
The SideStep Pre-Arrest Youth Diversion program is geared to respond to the needs of youth and families in their own community. As an alternative to the formal justice system, SideStep provides young people with transformative assistance from trusted community-based organizations to improve their lives and help them reach their full potential.
“Historically, Baltimore has over-invested in punitive approaches when young people act out or make a mistake, instead of providing them with the tools and resources to be successful,” said Director Shantay Jackson of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. “As a city, we have a responsibility to support young people in Baltimore as they learn and grow on their journey to adulthood. This grant opportunity is about calling on the community to help redirect our young people away from decisions that can negatively impact their futures.”
Community-based organizations interested in receiving funds to become a service provider for SideStep are encouraged to submit an application if their services fall within the following domains:
Screening and assessment using validated tools that objectively assess strengths, risks, and needs to inform the level and type of diversion services.
Youth development and social support such as connections to culturally affirming and supportive mentors, peer support groups, community leadership and organizing opportunities, and enrichment programs (i.e., cooking, music, arts, sports).
Strengths‐based services that affirm youth and family race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, and culture so that youth feel welcome and supported.
Health and healing support such as physical health services, mental health services, substance abuse services, trauma screening and referrals to reverse the negative effects of trauma.
Education and employment support such as dropout prevention, school reintegration, tutoring, educational rights advocacy, job training, job placement, and skill‐building to link youth to school and jobs.
Family engagement and support such as youth‐family mediation, peer support programs for parents, participatory defense for parents to advocate for their children in court, counseling, and classes to engage caregivers in the healing process for themselves and their children.
Community engagement and inclusion of mentors or staff with lived experience of the justice system to maximize the development of culturally responsive positive relationships between youth and the adults around them.
Resources for transportation, food, housing, and other supports that address barriers to participation and increase the chance that youth will be successful in programming.
Restorative / transformative justice or restorative practices to promote accountability and repair the harm caused by criminal behavior.
Evidence‐based or evidence‐informed services, such as cognitive behavioral treatment, multisystemic therapy, and other interventions that have been identified as effective or promising practices for similar populations of youth.Applications for funding should be submitted no later than Wednesday, January 4, 2023, through MONSE’s Grant Application Portal.
Questions related to this RFA should be sent to monse.grants@baltimorecity.gov.
MONSE has piloted SideStep in the Western Police District since January 2022, in partnership with the Baltimore Police Department and the Department of Juvenile Services. In collaboration with justice system partners determined to reform law enforcement interactions with our City’s young people, the program was developed by West Baltimore residents and community-based organizations.