As part of CJII, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the Institute for State and Local Governance (ISLG) solicited proposals to expand the capacity of and/or implement family and youth development programs for populations at elevated risk of poor life outcomes, including eventual justice system involvement.

Families living in New York City (and indeed, elsewhere) face stressors that can have a negative effect on youth and family functioning, ranging from challenging living conditions in their communities to disruptions within their families. Interventions that support family and youth development, including bonds within the family and their ability to cope with distressing circumstances, are both effective in preventing maladaptive life outcomes (e.g., school dropout, un- or underemployment, justice system involvement) and cost effective with regard to savings resulting from the avoidance of these outcomes.

Programs funded by CJII could serve families on the continuum from early to targeted prevention, including populations such as expectant mothers, families with young children, and/or families with young adults (i.e., up to age 21) living at home—in or from Manhattan, with preference given to applicants serving residents from four focus neighborhoods: East Harlem, Central and West Harlem, Washington Heights, and the Lower East Side. Eligible programs include those that are:

• evidence-based (i.e., robust demonstration of effectiveness);
• promising (i.e., limited or initial demonstration of effectiveness; or has been implemented with an evidence base in a different context); or
• innovative (i.e., no demonstration of effectiveness but designed with current best practices in mind; e.g., a new program or significant adaptation of an evidence-based program to a new context or for a different client population)

The anticipated total funding for family and youth development programs is up to $13 million over three years.

Background

ISLG is the technical assistance consultant to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for CJII. ISLG manages CJII on behalf of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, including managing the solicitation and contracting process, managing and providing guidance to award recipients, and providing oversight and performance measurement throughout the lifetime of CJII. Proposals will be submitted and funds awarded through the Research Foundation of CUNY (Research Foundation).

Deadlines

The deadline to submit proposals was August 19, 2016, at 11:59 pm EST.

Documents

• CJII Family and Youth Development Programs RFP
• ADDENDUM 1: Applicant Questions and Answers