Jail/Arrest Diversion Grant Program RFA

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, through the Department of Mental Health (DMH), is seeking applicants interested in obtaining grant funding to establish Jail/Arrest Diversion projects in one or more communities across the state. The grant program aims to support various initiatives such as Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs, Co-Response programs, Component Jail Diversion models, and other behavioral health intervention programs. Eligible applicants include municipalities, non-profit organizations, and for-profit entities. Applicants must submit a comprehensive proposal detailing their community implementation strategy, project objectives, and intended outcomes. Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria such as quality, cost, and overall value, with DMH reserving the right to fund projects that best meet identified needs. While there is no application deadline, DMH will review submissions on an ongoing basis and add qualified applicants to a Master Service Agreement List for potential funding throughout the duration of the RFA, which extends through June 30, 2027.

The RFA indicates that federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) may be used to support part or all of the awarded contracts, and grantees must comply with ARPA requirements. The grant program has defined cost corridors ranging from $8,000 to $500,000, and applicants may request funding for up to three fiscal years with the potential for seven one-year renewal options. DMH encourages but does not require local matching funds. The RFA also emphasizes the importance of supplier diversity, and proposals requesting $150,000 or more in grant funding will be evaluated on the applicant's Supplier Diversity Program Plan.