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Author:   US DOJ  Staff:  Published: 01/15/2025  Justice Programs News & Funding

OJP Newsletter

January 15, 2025 – Vol. 31, Issue 2
Twice monthly highlights from the Office of Justice Programs

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A MESSAGE FROM ACTING ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL

BRENT J. COHEN

This week marks my final week at the Office of Justice Programs. As I offer my final contribution to Justice Programs News and Funding, I’m reflecting on the transformative work we’ve accomplished together. The privilege of leading OJP has reaffirmed for me the remarkable things that can happen when we truly partner with communities to advance safety and justice.

What stands out most is how we’ve reshaped our approach to public safety. By embracing community violence intervention, expanding access to behavioral health services and creating meaningful opportunities for people returning home from incarceration, we’ve demonstrated the value of a comprehensive strategy to reducing crime and violence and increasing opportunity, and we’ve shown that the most effective solutions come from working hand-in-hand with communities. I’m especially proud of our renewed commitment to young people, our focused outreach to historically marginalized victims and our emphasis on evidence-based approaches that help jurisdictions make informed decisions about safety and justice.

Brent Cohen These achievements belong to all of us – the dedicated professionals at OJP, our partners across government and most importantly, the community leaders and practitioners who put these ideas into practice every day. I am confident that we will collectively build on this foundation, and I hope that this newsletter will continue to keep you connected to new resources and opportunities to help you strengthen this vital work.

It has been an honor to serve alongside you from various roles within OJP over the past several years. Thank you for all that you do, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to furthering safety and justice in America’s communities.

Brent J. Cohen
Acting Assistant Attorney General

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Impact Justice

Impact Justice: Changing the conversation, and reality, around homelessness

Over 650,000 people nationwide – roughly the populations of Boston or Las Vegas – lack reliable shelter. Many of these individuals are also affected by the justice system, as incarcerated people are ten times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population. Learn how Impact Justice is addressing this challenge.

Congressional Badge of Bravery

Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery

Behind every heroic act is a story that deserves to be told. The Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery honors acts of bravery by law enforcement officers. Submit your nominations by February 15, 2025 to ensure their courage is recognized. Read stories of past recipients.

 

Medal of Valor

President Biden Announces Recipients of the Medal of Valor

Congratulations to the eight recipients of the Medal of Valor, recognized for their extraordinary courage beyond the call of duty. This prestigious award is the nation’s highest honor for valor by a public safety officer. We express our gratitude for their service and honor their dedication and bravery.

Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Human Trafficking Prevention Month

The fight to end human trafficking is long overdue. During Human Trafficking Prevention Month, join us in raising awareness, supporting survivors, and working together to end this practice. Learn about OVC’s efforts and featured resources.

FUNDING NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES

EVENTS & WEBINARS

PUBLICATIONS

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

Justice in Action: Honoring Dr. King’s Vision

MLK Day As the nation commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 20, 2025, OJP honors the profound life and enduring legacy of Dr. King and his unwavering fight for justice and equality for all. Dr. King reminded us that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” His words serve as a call to action—urging us to confront inequities in our society. Today, this mission continues in efforts to transform the criminal and juvenile justice systems into models of fairness and accountability.

Civic engagement was a cornerstone of Dr. King’s message. His rich legacy has taught us that change is powered by collective action and his words remind us that justice depends on our willingness to act, to question inequities and to champion fairness for all. An example of Dr. King’s vision in action is OJP’s significant investments in reentry programming supported by the Second Chance Act, which has contributed to historic drops in the recidivism rates at the state-level. This programming has provided adults and youth with alternatives to incarceration and also provided critical resources that enhance public safety and build safer communities.

OJP Second Chance Act initiatives are expanding education and employment opportunities for returning individuals and are supporting treatment and recovery services for people in crisis. For example, the Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Program and the Second Chance Act Youth Reentry Program supports community-based organizations and tribal governments in providing comprehensive reentry services to adults and youth who have been incarcerated or involved with the justice system.

The Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes provides funding and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations and state, local and tribal governments to expand education and employment programs that serve individuals during incarceration and throughout their period of reentry into the community.

In addition, the Second Chance Act Community-based Reentry Incubator Initiative aims to build capacity in community-based organizations to provide sustainable and transitional services for people returning home after incarceration. The focus is on community and family reintegration, building strength-based assets and reducing recidivism.

These interventions have helped nearly 400,000 people receive behavioral health interventions, helped to reduce recidivism and addressed the underlying causes of criminal behavior, providing the power of opportunity and support in creating pathways to success― values that align with Dr. King’s enduring vision.

As we celebrate Dr. King’s legacy, let us renew our commitment to fairness, equality and justice for all. Learn more about OJP-funded programs and resources on Reentry and the Second Chance Act.

FROM THE VAULT

National Mentoring Resource Center

In January 2015, OJJDP partnered with MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership to launch the National Mentoring Resource Center.

Since its founding, the National Mentoring Resource Center has served as the nation’s premier source of training, technical assistance, tools, research summaries and more information for youth mentoring programs.

The resource center was announced at the 2015 National Mentoring Summit – co-hosted by OJJDP and MENTOR. The summit featured more than 60 workshops for the approximately 900 mentoring professionals and youth advocates who attended from around the country.