FY 2026 Jail Mental Health Pilot Program (JMHPP) Grant
Opportunity number: 544617
Program owner: Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)
Summary: State Fiscal Year 2026 continuation funding for five designated Virginia jail mental health pilot programs to provide evidence-based behavioral health treatment in correctional settings and continuity of care during reentry.
Virginia DCJS offered State Fiscal Year 2026 continuation funding to five designated Jail Mental Health Pilot Programs. Funds support mental health screening, assessment, treatment planning, in-jail treatment, discharge planning, reentry services, and coordination with community behavioral health providers for incarcerated people with mental illness.
The 12-month grant period runs from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Applications were required through the DCJS Online Grants Management System by 5:00 p.m. on March 14, 2025.
Who is eligible?
Applicant types: Continuation applicants limited to the five current designated Virginia JMHPP programs operated by sheriff's offices, regional jails, and an adult detention center.
Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office; Middle River Regional Jail; Prince William Adult Detention Center; Richmond City Sheriff’s Office; and Western Virginia Regional Jail. Eligible organizations also must not be excluded or debarred from doing business with Virginia, must be in good standing with state agencies with which they have an existing grant or contractual relationship, and must hold applicable professional and state licenses and certifications.
What can the funding be used for?
Mental health screening and assessment; treatment planning; medications and evidence-based mental or behavioral health treatment in jail; case management and discharge planning; reentry and community-based aftercare services; behavioral health and substance-use interventions; transportation services; training jail staff to work with mentally ill inmates; and justified project costs in permitted budget categories, including personnel, consultants, travel, supplies, and necessary incidental equipment.
Restrictions
Supplanting existing federal or local funds; salary costs for time not dedicated to approved grant activities; capital construction, renovation, remodeling, or land acquisition; purchasing or leasing vehicles; firearms, ammunition, or related equipment; lobbying or political contributions; honoraria; personal entertainment, personal calls, or alcohol; indirect costs; and equipment that is not necessary and incidental to an approved project.
How to apply
Apply through the DCJS Online Grants Management System. Select Funding Opportunity 544617, “Jail Mental Health Pilot Program SFY2026,” complete the required forms, upload applicable attachments, and submit by 5:00 p.m. on March 14, 2025. Applicants were advised to register or confirm OGMS access at least two weeks before the deadline. The Criminal Justice Services Board was expected to make award determinations at its May 2025 meeting, but no exact award date was provided.
Required materials
OGMS face sheet; budget summary; project narrative addressing need, project description, service-area demographics and target population, and sustainment; project-specific goals and objectives; applicable itemized budget forms; General Conditions and Assurances; Non-Supplantation form; Authority Certification; job descriptions for applicable grant-funded staff positions; and, when applicable, a letter delegating signing authority.
Program contact
Patricia Shaw
[email protected]
804-908-1749
Official sources
- Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services checked September 16, 2026
Grant details can change. Confirm all requirements on the official source before applying.