Quick Answer
The main federal grants for reentry programs are Second Chance Act grants (~$115M, DOJ/BJA), Reentry Employment Opportunities ($1–5M each, DOL), SAMHSA reentry behavioral health grants, and HUD Family Unification Program vouchers. Eligible applicants are state/local governments, nonprofits, and tribal organizations. Second Chance Act NOFOs are posted on Grants.gov under funding agency "Department of Justice" — search "Second Chance Act" for current competitions.
Second Chance Act: The Flagship Reentry Grant
The Second Chance Act (42 U.S.C. § 17501 et seq.) authorizes DOJ's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to award competitive grants for adult and juvenile reentry programs. In FY2026, Congress appropriated approximately $115 million for Second Chance Act programs — the highest funding level in the program's history.
BJA awards multiple grant categories under the Second Chance Act umbrella:
- Adult Reentry Initiative: Core grant for comprehensive reentry services — housing, employment, substance abuse treatment, family support. Awards $750,000–$1.5M over 36 months.
- Juvenile Reentry Assistance: For juvenile justice agencies and nonprofits serving youth under 25 exiting juvenile facilities.
- Reentry Courts: Supports specialized reentry court dockets with intensive supervision and wraparound services.
- Pay for Success Reentry: Pilot grants for outcomes-based reentry financing models.
All Second Chance Act NOFOs are posted on Grants.gov and bja.ojp.gov. Competition cycles typically open in the first quarter of the calendar year with applications due in March–May.
DOL Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO)
The Department of Labor's Reentry Employment Opportunities program funds workforce services for justice-involved individuals through competitive grants to nonprofits, workforce development boards, and local governments. REO is one of the few federal grants that directly funds employment training for people with criminal records — and it emphasizes measurable employment outcomes.
REO grants average $2–3 million over 3–4 years and fund: occupational skills training, paid work experience, on-the-job training, job placement services, and supportive services (transportation, childcare, clothing). Target populations include adults within 2 years of release from state or federal prison, adults on probation or parole, and adults with prior felony convictions.
SAMHSA Behavioral Health Reentry Grants
SAMHSA funds several grant programs that address the behavioral health needs of justice-involved individuals. Key programs in FY2026:
- Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals (GBHI): Funds treatment and housing services for homeless individuals with substance use or mental health disorders, many of whom are justice-involved.
- Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Integration: Supports integration of behavioral health services into criminal justice settings — jails, prisons, and probation/parole.
- First Responder/Co-Responder Programs: Diverts individuals with mental health crises away from incarceration through coordinated behavioral health response.
Frequently Asked Questions
What federal grants fund reentry programs in 2026?
The primary federal grants for reentry programs are: Second Chance Act grants administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) within DOJ, SAMHSA's Grants for Jail Diversion and Reentry programs, DOL's Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) grants, and HUD's Family Unification Program (FUP). Most of these are competitive grants open to state and local governments, nonprofits, and tribal organizations. The Second Chance Act is the flagship program, appropriated at approximately $115 million in FY2026 and covering adult and juvenile reentry.
Who can apply for Second Chance Act grants?
Second Chance Act grants are available to state, local, and tribal governments; nonprofit organizations; and Indian tribal governments. For adult reentry grants, eligible applicants include state departments of corrections, county jails, probation/parole agencies, and community-based nonprofits providing reentry services. For juvenile reentry, eligible applicants include state juvenile justice agencies and juvenile corrections facilities. Faith-based organizations are also eligible as long as they meet secular grant requirements.
What services can Second Chance Act grants fund?
Second Chance Act grants fund a comprehensive range of reentry services including: transitional housing and housing navigation, employment training and job placement, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, education and vocational training, mentoring, family reunification services, and case management. Grants can also fund reentry planning services delivered inside correctional facilities (pre-release), community supervision support, and evaluation activities. Administrative costs are capped at 10% of the award.
What is DOL's Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) program?
The Reentry Employment Opportunities program funds workforce development services for justice-involved individuals. DOL awards competitive grants to nonprofits, workforce boards, and local governments to provide job training, work experience, job placement, and supportive services to people recently released from incarceration or at risk of incarceration. REO grants emphasize sector-based training in industries with strong labor demand — healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and logistics. Grant amounts range from $1 million to $5 million over 36–48 months. Eligibility targets adults (18+) within 2 years of release or at imminent risk.
How does HUD's Family Unification Program support reentry?
HUD's Family Unification Program (FUP) provides housing vouchers (Section 8) specifically for two populations: families where children are in foster care or at risk of placement due to inadequate housing, and youth aging out of foster care. FUP vouchers are awarded to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) through a competitive NOFA. For the justice-involved population, FUP is relevant because many people leaving incarceration also have child welfare involvement. PHAs partner with child welfare agencies to administer the vouchers. Individuals cannot apply directly to HUD — they must contact their local PHA.