Illinois Second Chance

OJJDP's Demonstration Programs Continuation Grants program was established to provide grants and cooperative agreements to organizations that OJJDP has selected for funds in prior years. This program will be authorized by an Act appropriating funds for the Department of Justice.

The Illinois Department of Human Services has used their FY10 Second Chance Act: State Demonstration funds to support the "Illinois Second Chance" program. This evidence-based intervention has provided family-focused aftercare to offenders. The target population for this intervention is young males with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health problems, who are being released to Cook, Lake, and Will counties. Programming is intensive and continues from institution to community. It is also tailored to the needs of the offender. Changing the offender's patterns of thinking and behavior are key aspects of the program. This supplemental funding will allow the Illinois Department of Human Services to continue the grant to allow for completion of the randomized control trial evaluation currently underway through NIJ. CA/NCF