The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) helps to make American communities safer by strengthening the nation's criminal justice system.  Grant funding is one way this is achieved, and current BJA funding opportunities are available on the BJA funding website.   The site contains detailed information about grant opportunities, applicant eligibility, and application requirements, as well as directions on how to apply.  The BJA funding website also includes links to BJA grant applicant education webinars, instructions to sign up for funding notifications, and frequently asked questions.

The Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) program, led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, offers a dynamic approach to fortifying the cybersecurity of government networks and systems. 

This no-cost webinar will address the evolution of CDM to meet new challenges and provide new capabilities for agencies.

Date:  April 2, 2019

Time:  2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., ET

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Journal, published several times a year, features articles to help criminal justice policymakers and practitioners stay informed about new developments.  The NIJ Journal presents research-based information that can help inform policy decisions and improve understanding of the criminal justice system.

Each issue of the NIJ Journal focuses on a single theme, allowing the articles to dive into one specific topic from different scientific points of view.  In the latest issue, NIJ scientists and staff members share some current developments in policing and law enforcement on topics such as using artificial intelligence to address criminal justice needs and new approaches to digital evidence acquisition and analysis.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) leadership, in collaboration with the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program (COAP) team, invites you to this no-cost webinar on April 10, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., ET.

To support people on their paths to recovery from substance use disorders, the use of peer specialists in peer recovery support services (PRSS) is increasing across diverse criminal justice settings. Peer specialists offer the benefits of their own experience with recovery; they provide hope and social support and can change the outcomes for those in recovery.

This session will:

• Highlight the roles of peer specialists across multiple programs.
• Explore the work from an “insider” vantage point: by peer specialists working in the field.
• Discuss the value of implementing peer specialists at all of the criminal justice intercepts.
• Identify the support needs of peer specialists and common ethical PRSS considerations.

The Federal Commission on School Safety's final report highlights, among other products, the Office of Justice Program’s (OJP) OJP's toolkits on police-mental health collaboration and helping victims of mass violence; research on indicators of school crime and safety; and a guide on preventing school-based bullying with related research. Its findings highlight the central role that state and local agencies can and should play in protecting students and ensuring that the academic environment is conducive to learning.

The report's recommendations range from assisting schools in developing positive climates and feelings of connectedness to encouraging training for those who work with children to recognize signs and symptoms of mental illness.

The commission underscored funds available through the STOP School Violence Act of 2018, which provides funding for evidence-based programs to states, units of local government, and federally recognized Indian tribes. The act authorized nearly $47 million for grants from OJP's Bureau of Justice Assistance last fall, as well as $25 million through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

Visit the OJP Blog for additional information on this report and other OJP news.