The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is seeking applications from jails and community partners to actively participate in the Minnesota Expanding Model Jail Practices Learning Community and to implement model jail practices and programs that support children of incarcerated parents and their families.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/02/2023
Size of the Grant:
- Track A. Model Jail Practices: $50,000
- Track B. Community Programs and Supports: $20,000
Grant Duration: 2 years
Details:
In 2019 MDH convened four jails to form the MN Expanding Model Jail Practices Learning Community focusing on policy, systems, and environmental changes to support children of incarcerated parents. Jails were selected to participate with the support of the MN Sheriffs Association based on support of county leadership, philosophy, awareness of these issues, current innovations, and variation in facility characteristics (e.g., population size, geographic location). The Learning Community utilizes the National Institute of Corrections’ Model Practices for Parents in Prisons and Jails: Reducing Barriers to Family Connection as a guiding resource (Peterson et al., 2019). A core project value of the learning community is to recognize the unique needs and capacity of each jail to learn from other jail partners and implement local solutions. This multidisciplinary network has demonstrated meaningful, effective, and impactful collaboration. This grant supports movement toward a statewide network to further expand model jail practices that support children with incarcerated parents.
Under this RFP, there are two eligible program tracks. Funds will be granted through a competitive process for each track.
- Track A. Model Jail Practices to support Children of Incarcerated Parents (Model Jail Practices)
- Track B. Programs and Supports for Children of Incarcerated Parents (Community Programs and Supports).
Track A. Model Jail Practices
For this RFP, model jail practices are defined by the National Institute of Corrections’, Model Practices for Parents in Prisons and Jails (Peterson et al., 2019) 1, which outlines ten key areas for improvement including: 1) partnership building, 2) training and core competencies, 3) intake and assessment, 4) family notification and information, 5) classes and groups, 6) visitor lobbies, 7) visiting, 8) parent-child communication, 9) caregiver support, and 10) family-focused reentry. Participating jails will implement key practices, such as administering intake questions about parenting status, implementing parenting education, and building community partnerships with consideration to the unique needs of each jail. Jails will be able to select other model practices that are relevant to their unique needs and opportunities. MDH and other jail partners will offer support to improve model jail practices implementation through the learning community, as each community gains experience and insights.
Track B. Community Programs and Supports
Individuals and families often report the stigma associated with having an incarcerated parent. Youth with an incarcerated parent have increased risk of mental health and substance abuse problems, and poorer education outcomes than peers who do not experience parental incarceration. Programs that that are designed for or offer supports specifically for children and families who have an incarcerated parent can help to mitigate the impacts of parental incarceration and improve their social, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Programs may include things such as: support groups or affinity spaces for children and youth with an incarcerated parent, youth camps, or educational programs. Programs and supports must be connected directly to children and youth impacted by parental incarceration in any local, state, or federal jail or prison.
Goals
The overall expected impact of this initiative is to improve the health and wellbeing of children, youth and families impacted by parental incarceration. Specific goals are to:
- Establish a statewide network of jails to enhance and scale model jail practices that strengthen families until these practices become standard statewide; and
- For children and families to increase the quantity and quality of parent-child interactions during and after incarceration.
- Improve the social, emotional, and mental wellbeing of children and youth with an incarcerated parent.
Priorities
The priority model jail practices focus on 1) increasing parenting skills; 2) creating family friendly environments; 3) increasing jail staff knowledge and skills; and 4) expanding services to children and families.
Funding Information
If your county jail is named in the Federal Department of Justice OJJDP state grant award, you are eligible to apply for an amount up to annual maximum award of $50,000 minus the annual grant sub-award. For example, if you are receiving $30,000 annually from the grant award, you can apply for up to $20,000 annually from this funding opportunity. Applications from OJJDP grant partners will be reviewed under Track A2 to account for a modified work plan and grant total.
- Track A. Model Jail Practices
- New Applicants
- Estimated Amount to Grant: $440,000
- Estimated Number of Awards: 8-10
- Estimated Award Maximum: $50,000
- Estimated Award Minimum: $10,000
- Current Federal Department of Justice OJJDP Grant Awardee
- Estimated Amount to Grant: $85,000
- Estimated Number of Awards: 4
- Estimated Award Maximum: $45,000
- Estimated Award Minimum: $10,000
- New Applicants
- Track B. Community Programs and Supports
- Estimated Amount to Grant: $150,000
- Estimated Number of Awards: 7-10
- Estimated Award Maximum: $20,000
- Estimated Award Minimum: $5,000
Grant Period
The funding cycle for this program announcement begins on January 1, 2024, and ends on December 31, 2025, with the possibility to extend if funding becomes available.
Eligibility Criteria
- Track A1/A2. Model Jail Practices. Eligible applicants include county jails, a group of counties that share jail facilities, tribal jails, or a county or tribal entity that is authorized to apply on behalf of the jail facility and will work in close partnership with the jail. An authorized entity should have a current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the jail facility, or a letter of commitment from the jail indicating that jail will be an active partner and able to meet the minimum expectations. Track A applicants are not required to have a corresponding application for Track B. A county or tribal entity authorized by the jail facility may apply for both Tracks.
- Track B. Community Partners. Eligible applicants include county government, tribal governments, or other community-based non-profit in corresponding areas. Applicants must demonstrate an existing partnership with a jail or a strong commitment from a jail facility to build a partnership in support of children and families with an incarcerated parent. Applicants should include a letter of support from the partnering jail.
For more information, visit MDH.
