OJJDP FY 2026 Invited to Apply - Expanding Tribal Children’s Advocacy Centers | O OJJDP 2026 172788

FAQs: OJJDP FY 2026 Invited to Apply - Expanding Tribal Children's Advocacy Centers

What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?

This continuation Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) is intended to strengthen the handling of child abuse cases in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. It focuses on expanding and improving Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) that serve Tribal communities so responses are more coordinated, culturally responsive, and effective.

What types of problems is the program trying to address?

The program is designed to reduce fragmentation in child abuse investigations and services. CACs are intended to help children and caregivers avoid being pushed through multiple disconnected systems by supporting a facility-based, multidisciplinary approach to investigations and follow-on services.

What outcomes is OJJDP trying to improve through this award?

Based on the NOFO description, OJJDP aims to improve both:

• The immediate investigative response to suspected child abuse (such as multidisciplinary coordination and child-centered interviewing).
• Longer-term supports that help victims and families recover (such as treatment and related services).

What is a Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) in the context of this program?

In this program description, a CAC is a facility-based, multidisciplinary model that coordinates how child abuse cases are handled. CACs typically bring together professionals such as law enforcement, child protection, prosecutors, medical and behavioral health providers, and victim advocates to create a more unified response.

Who does a CAC typically coordinate with?

The NOFO describes CACs as coordinating across multiple disciplines, commonly including law enforcement, child protection, prosecutors, medical providers, behavioral health providers, and victim advocates, with the goal of improving coordination and reducing duplication and stress on children and caregivers.

What communities is this opportunity intended to benefit?

The opportunity is centered on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities and is aimed at Tribal communities and their partners working to improve responses to child abuse through CAC expansion and enhancement.

What kinds of activities does the award intend to support?

The NOFO indicates OJJDP intends to support coordinated information-sharing, development of resources and tools, and delivery of training and technical assistance (TTA). The overall emphasis is on strengthening CAC infrastructure and practice and improving multidisciplinary coordination for child abuse response in Tribal contexts.

Is this funding meant for new CACs, existing CACs, or both?

Both. The description says the training and technical assistance is aimed at communities that are working to establish CACs and at existing CACs that already serve Native communities or partner with Tribal governments, so capacity can be increased, quality improved, and partnerships strengthened over time.

What does "training and technical assistance (TTA)" mean in this opportunity?

As described in the NOFO summary, TTA refers to support such as training, technical help, and practical resources and tools intended to help communities develop, expand, or improve CAC operations and multidisciplinary practices related to child abuse response.

What is the funding mechanism for this award?

The award is structured as a cooperative agreement. That typically indicates substantial federal involvement in how the project is carried out compared to a standard grant.

What does it mean that this opportunity is "Invited to Apply"?

"Invited to Apply" indicates the applicant pool is limited rather than an open competition. In practical terms, it usually means OJJDP expects a specific recipient (or set of recipients) to apply, often connected to continuation funding or an existing project role.

Is this a new competitive funding opportunity?

No. The opportunity category is listed as continuation, and it is labeled "Invited to Apply," both of which suggest it is not a general open competition.

How many awards does OJJDP expect to make?

OJJDP expects to make one award.

What is the maximum (ceiling) amount for the award?

The award ceiling is $525,000.

What is the application deadline listed for the opportunity?

The original application closing date is October 6, 2026.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on September 30, 2026.

Which federal office is issuing this NOFO?

The Notice of Funding Opportunity is issued by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).

What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under the Law, Justice and Legal Services funding activity category.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 16.758.

Who is identified in connection with the opportunity?

The University of Montana is identified in the source details provided, which is consistent with an invited or continuation action where a specific organization is expected to apply based on prior work or an existing project role.

What does the NOFO suggest about who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others." However, the "Invited to Apply" status is the most important practical constraint described, because it typically indicates the funding is intended for a particular recipient rather than a broad applicant pool.

How does this opportunity aim to improve cultural responsiveness?

The NOFO summary emphasizes that CAC expansion and improvement in Tribal communities should result in investigations and services that are more culturally responsive and effective, with coordinated approaches that better fit community needs.

What does "multidisciplinary coordination" mean in the context provided?

In the context of the NOFO summary, multidisciplinary coordination refers to different professional roles (for example, law enforcement, child protection, prosecutors, medical and behavioral health providers, and victim advocates) working in a coordinated way rather than operating separately.

What is meant by strengthening CAC "infrastructure and practice"?

Based on the description, strengthening infrastructure and practice includes building and sustaining facility-based multidisciplinary models, improving coordination and information-sharing, and providing training, technical assistance, and tools to increase capacity and improve quality over time.

What is the overall goal of the program in one sentence?

The overall goal is to improve how Tribal communities and their partners respond to child abuse by strengthening CAC models, improving multidisciplinary coordination, and expanding access to targeted training, technical assistance, and practical resources that support effective investigations and appropriate treatment and support services for children and families.