Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D- South Los Angeles) and Kathleen T. Howard from the Board of State and Community Corrections, (BSCC) held a town hall to inform the public on the application process for the $37.3 million Youth Reinvestment Grant (YRG). The YRG will help improve the outcomes of vulnerable youth populations by funding programs utilizing trauma informed and community-based interventions in lieu of arrest, detention and incarceration.
“I was excited to see city and county representatives, hundreds of non-profits, and community organizations attend the YRG Town Hall,” said Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer. “The first step was securing the funding. Now we must work together to get the funding to organizations that can provide these vital services. Then we will begin to truly dismantle the school to prison pipeline.”
California cities and counties will be eligible to apply for the YRG on the behalf of non-profits, community based and non-governmental organizations that offer diversion programs along with educational services, mentoring opportunities, behavioral and mental health services. Nearly $35.1 million will be awarded to successful applicants. Each grant could be up to a maximum of $1 million.
“Every year, thousands of California youth are incarcerated for low-level offenses, costing taxpayers millions of dollars, while failing to provide effective interventions and leading to endless cycles of incarceration,” said Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer. “Our kids deserve better. It’s time we stop locking up our children and start investing in their future.”
Proposals for the Youth Reinvestment Fund are due to the BSCC by 5pm on March 29, 2019 and funding decisions will be made by June 13, 2019.
