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Juvenile Justice Grants
The LBF seeks to improve Louisiana's juvenile justice system by granting funds to organizations that provide pre- and post-disposition programs for youth. By funding appropriate community-based services, we can enhance these young people's opportunities for success, improve their communities, and strengthen the core values of the juvenile justice system.
Juvenile Justice Grants will be awarded to non-profit 501c3 entities that assist with the administration of juvenile justice. Teen Courts, Court Appointed Special Advocates, and other juvenile legal programs qualify for this funding.
Schools and the juvenile court work together by providing this diversionary program for first-time misdemeanor youths rather than exposure to the juvenile justice system. The offenders are judged by a jury of their peers with students serving as the judge, jury, prosecutor and defender in each ‘teen court.’ The offender is issued a sentence usually in the form of community service hours.
Specially trained advocates (CASAs) are assigned by the Court in "children in need of care" cases where the children are in foster care for abuse or neglect matters. The CASAs minimize the trauma of abused children by making certain they don’t fall through the cracks of child protective services and by limiting their exposure to a seemingly intimidating courtroom. The CASA serves as the voice of the child in all proceedings.
Types of programs may include those providing legal representation or advocacy for juveniles, those assisting with the administration of justice on behalf of juveniles, and those offering other diversionary programs for at-risk youth.
2009 grant applications now available -- deadline July 3.
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