The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is seeking proposals for a cooperative agreement to develop a research-based training model. The purpose of this model is to improve trauma-informed crisis responses for individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities in a carceral setting. The training program should educate and prepare jail and prison staff to appropriately interact with these individuals.
The training model should be developed by an institution of higher education or a non-profit, for-profit, or tribal organization in collaboration with healthcare and corrections professionals. It should take a multidisciplinary approach and focus on understanding behavioral health, including mental illness and substance use disorders, as well as intellectual and developmental disabilities. The training should also cover topics such as developing empathy, navigating community resources, and de-escalation skills.
The centerpiece of the training program should be a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) train-the-trainer program. The goal is to equip all staff working in prisons and jails with the necessary skills to provide trauma-informed care.
The total funding available for this opportunity is $1,000,000, with an expected number of awards being one. The closing date for applications is June 24, 2024. Non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, tribal organizations, and institutions of higher education are eligible to apply. However, foreign governments, international organizations, and non-governmental international organizations/institutions are not eligible.
For more information and to apply, please visit the NIC website at https://nicic.gov/about-nic/funding-opportunities/training-model-improve-trauma-informed-crisis-responses-people. If you have any questions, you can contact Cameron D Coblentz, the Grant Management Specialist, at ccoblentz@bop.gov or by phone at 202-514-0053.