Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority opens $500,000 NOFO for Adult Redeploy Illinois training and technical assistance

Mary Ann Dyer, program director for Adult Redeploy Illinois at the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, introduced a notice of funding opportunity on 04/20/2026 seeking one or more organizations to provide statewide training, technical assistance and development (TTAD) to ARI grantees.

The NOFO makes a total of $500,000 available, with individual awards ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 and an estimated one to three awards. "The funds available in this NOFO are a total of $500,000 for 1 or more entities," Dyer said. The award period is 07/01/2026 through 06/30/2027, with the possibility of a 24‑month renewal based on satisfactory performance.

Why it matters: ARI funds local alternatives to incarceration and supports programs that promote reintegration and reduce prison use. Dyer said the TTAD contractor will expand site capacity and help replicate evidence‑informed supervision and services statewide.

Who can apply and what to include: Dyer said eligibility is broadly defined as any public or private entity that can do business with the state of Illinois. Successful applicants must show experience delivering training and technical assistance and subject‑matter expertise at the intersection of public safety and public health, either within the applicant organization or via subcontracted partners.

Applications must be submitted in Amplifund. Dyer walked applicants through prequalification steps — SAM registration, employer identification number, grantee data portal registration and single sign‑on for Amplifund — and warned, "Amplifund will time out after 20 minutes of inactivity," advising applicants to save frequently.

Required materials and scoring: A complete application (due by 5 p.m. Central on 05/20/2026) must be submitted in Amplifund and include the Uniform State Grant Application, the program narrative (5,000‑character maximum), an implementation schedule, a goals and performance metrics chart, and a 12‑month budget and budget narrative using the CJA Excel template. Dyer described seven application forms in Amplifund and explained point allocations for evaluation. The expert review panel scores applications; the maximum score is 100 and the minimum eligible score is 70.

Program design expectations: The TTAD program should be comprehensive (statewide reach), multi‑tiered (network, region, site), responsive (guided by gap analysis and on‑site input), and effective (built on assessment, evaluation and continuous feedback). Dyer listed sample topics the program should address — assessments and referrals, cognitive behavioral therapy, services for emerging adults, equity and justice, fidelity to evidence‑informed practices, performance measurement and data analysis, program planning, recovery capital, restorative justice and trauma‑informed approaches — and said a minimum of one TTA deliverable must be provided each quarter.

Budget and allowable costs: Allowable expenses include personnel, training subcontracts/subawards, travel, program supplies, data collection and analysis, and program evaluation. Budgets must demonstrate cost‑effectiveness and cannot be used to supplant existing federal, state, county or local funds.

Review and timeline: ARI/CJA staff will screen submissions for completeness; qualifying applications will be reviewed and scored by an expert panel and funding recommendations will be made to the ARI oversight board for award approval at its June 2026 meeting. Dyer said questions about the NOFO must be submitted to cja.adultredeploynofo@illinois.gov by 5 p.m. on 05/14/2026; submitted questions and the public responses will be posted on the CJA website and in Amplifund.

Next steps: Applicants are encouraged to submit materials 48–72 hours before the deadline to allow time for troubleshooting. Dyer closed by reiterating the submission requirements and deadlines and providing the general mailbox for contact. "I hope that you found this information helpful, and I thank you for your interest in Adult Redeploy Illinois," she said.

The oversight board is scheduled to review and select awardees in June 2026; no awards were announced at the session.