Laserfiche WebLink
2026-2028 Crisis Response Grants RFP <br /> <br />Request for Proposals (RFP) Part 1: Overview <br />1.1 General Information <br /> Grant Name: Crisis Response Grant Program <br />MinnesotaOfficeofJusticePrograms(OJP)Website <br /> Open forApplications: Tuesday, February3, 2026 <br /> Application DueDate: Monday, March 16,2026,at 4:00 PM <br />1.2 Program Description <br />The purpose of this request for proposal is to fund local law enforcement agencies and local governments to <br />start, maintain, or expand crisis response teams in which social workers or mental health professionals serve <br />as first responders when calls for service involve an individual in crisis. Funding may support a range of <br />modelsincluding Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), mobile crisis teams, co-responder models, alternative <br />response teams (ART), and other social worker/mental health-led response approaches that improve safety, <br /> <br />reduce unnecessary justice system involvement, and connect individuals to appropriate care. <br />1.3 Background Information & Resources <br />Across Minnesota and the nation, communities are strengthening their responses to individuals experiencing <br />mental health and behavioral health crises by expanding partnerships between law enforcement, social <br />workers, mental health providers, and community-based organizations. Effective crisis response systems are <br />built on collaboration, shared responsibility, and coordinated planning across agencies. This grant program <br />reflects the State of Minnesota’s commitment to supporting local jurisdictions in developing and enhancing <br />these collaborative, person-centered crisis response approaches. <br /> <br />This grant round emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships and alignment with existing county and <br />regional efforts, recognizing that crisis response functions best within an integrated system. Applicants are <br />encouraged to engage with county behavioral health departments, community mental health providers, local <br />crisis teams, and other partners to ensure strong coordination of services. Resources such as The Sequential <br />Intercept Model and the Stepping Up Initiative provide useful frameworks for understanding how law <br />enforcement, behavioral health systems, and community supports can work together to divert individuals <br />with mental health needs from deeper justice system involvement. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use <br />these tools to guide collaborative planning and program design. <br /> <br />To support new programs and collaborations, applicants may use a portion of the funds for planning <br />activities, including finalizing partnerships, defining response protocols, securing MOUs, establishing logistics, <br />and completing necessary hiring prior to full implementation. Applicants must demonstrate existing <br />collaboration and community support through Memorandum(s) of Understanding (MOU) submitted with the <br />application. Applicants may allocate up to 10% of their total grant award (up to $30,000 for a $300,000 grant) <br />to planning activities, with the expectation that programs will move into implementation by the end of the <br />second quarter of the 24-month grant period. <br />Office of Justice Programs – DPS Page 2 2/5/2026 <br />Qbhf!275!pg!2:7 <br /> <br />