Violence & Delinquency Prevention Programs

The 2025–27 Violence & Delinquency Prevention Programs (VDPP) is a competitive grant initiative administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) through its Office of Justice Programs. The program is grounded in the recommendations and strategic framework of Pennsylvania’s 2025 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Plan and aims to support initiatives that prevent youth violence and delinquency while promoting community-based interventions and cross-system collaboration. Eligible applicants must submit through PCCD’s Egrants system and meet all outlined administrative, reporting, and programmatic requirements to be considered. VDPP funding will be awarded to projects that align with the Balanced and Restorative Justice principles, targeting diversion from the juvenile justice system, promoting successful reentry, and addressing systemic disparities. The 2025 Plan identifies the need to reduce juvenile system involvement and improve outcomes for system-involved youth by supporting evidence-based practices and community-level engagement. VDPP-funded projects are expected to enhance early prevention, diversion, reentry services, and local collaborative frameworks that address risk factors associated with delinquency. Funds may support personnel, contractors, participant support services, equipment, travel, technical assistance, and other directly relevant costs. Applicants may request up to $250,000 for project periods of up to 24 months, beginning July 1, 2026. The total funding available for this cycle is $5 million. The program places emphasis on proposals that serve jurisdictions with significant system need, particularly those with high truancy, poverty, or juvenile justice involvement. Ineligible uses include construction, vehicle purchases, political lobbying, and infrastructure hardening (e.g., security cameras, building modifications). Indirect costs are capped at 15% of modified total direct costs. Eligible entities include local governments (counties and municipalities), nonprofit organizations, private service providers working with system-involved youth, and institutions of higher education. Applicants must be in good standing with PCCD and must not submit more than one application. The program encourages inclusion of project partners and emphasizes collaborative, sustainable programming. Priority is given to applicants that have not previously received PCCD funding or that demonstrate strong financial need and effective community partnerships. Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 PM on April 6, 2026. Submissions require registration in the Egrants system and appropriate user roles, including an e-signature role. Applicants are encouraged to review relevant materials on the PCCD website and may contact PCCD for technical or clarifying questions via [email protected]. Responses will be posted publicly. Programmatic and fiscal reporting is required quarterly through Egrants. Award notifications are anticipated following the June 10, 2026 Commission meeting. All approved projects are expected to begin by July 1, 2026 and end by June 30, 2028. Ongoing technical assistance is available at no cost from Penn State’s Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, and applicants are expected to engage with PCCD’s designated providers as part of the award conditions. The grant is annual and recurring, and future cycles are expected.

Prioritize alignment with the 2025 Plan; demonstrate geographic and system need; articulate sustainability and stakeholder collaboration.