Missing Individuals Grant

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awards grants through the FY24 Kevin and Avonte Program to support efforts to reduce injuries and deaths of missing individuals with dementia and developmental disabilities. This program is named after Kevin Poole and Avonte O’Neil, two individuals who died after wandering away from safe environments.

Summary

The program provides funding to law enforcement agencies, tribal communities, and non-profit organizations for projects that focus on:

• Prevention: Implementing strategies to prevent wandering, such as installing door and window alarms or using GPS tracking devices.
• Location and Recovery: Developing and utilizing technologies to locate missing individuals quickly and safely, such as wanderer identification programs or search and rescue teams trained to work with these populations.
• Public Awareness: Educating the public and caregivers about the risks of wandering and how to prevent it.

Application Requirements

• Eligible applicants include:

  • State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies
  • Non-profit organizations with experience serving individuals with dementia or developmental disabilities
  • Tribal communities

• There are two funding categories within the program:

  • Category 1: Proactive Programming: This category supports projects that focus on preventing wandering and improving response protocols.
  • Category 2: Locative Technology: This category supports projects that focus on acquiring and utilizing technology to locate missing individuals.

• Applicants must submit proposals that detail their plan for using the grant funds, demonstrating a clear need for the project and a well-defined plan for implementation.

Benefits

• Awarded organizations receive funding to implement programs and acquire technologies that can help prevent wandering and locate missing individuals more quickly.
• Communities benefit from a decrease in the number of missing person cases involving vulnerable individuals.
• Families of individuals with dementia or developmental disabilities have greater peace of mind knowing there are measures in place to keep them safe.

Type

Grant Program

Award

• The maximum federal grant award is $150,000.
• The specific award amount for each project will depend on the scope and budget needs outlined in the proposal.
• The program expects to award approximately 18 grants.

Location

Projects funded by the program must be implemented within the United States (including U.S. territories).

Deadline

Jul 18, 2024.

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