Innovation RFA - Alternatives to Incarceration and Re-Entry Services and Interventions

Through this Innovation RFA, the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) seeks applications for Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) and Re-Entry Services and Interventions. Approximately $15.5 million is expected to be available for proposals that aim to reduce recidivism, reduce reliance on incarceration, and improve the outcomes of individuals involved in or who have had previous involvement in the justice system.

DCJS intends to fund both Demonstration and Evidence-Based Programming through this solicitation. The purpose of this RFA is to solicit applications for unique and evidence-based approaches to work with individuals who are involved in, have previous involvement in, or are at risk of involvement in, the criminal justice system. These programs should target one or more of the following:

• the risk of incarceration;
• risk of recidivism;
• criminogenic needs;
• responsivity factors; and/or
• stabilization needs.

DCJS is committed to providing programs that help keep New York’s communities safe and improve the effectiveness of the State’s criminal justice system. Applications will be selected for funding consistent with the best interest of the state. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate in their response to this solicitation how their application supports New York’s commitment to improving the lives of individuals involved in, having previous involvement in, or at risk of involvement in, the criminal justice system and promoting public safety.

Questions for the request for applications must be submitted to dcjsfunding@dcjs.ny.gov by Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Responses to those questions will be posted on or about Monday, September 15, 2025.

The deadline for applications is 12 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Apply: https://criminaljustice.ny.gov/ofpa/index.htm

SNUG Street Outreach and Social Work Program – Syracuse

Not-for-profit organizations can apply for up to $1.82 million to establish a SNUG Street Outreach and Social Work Program in the City of Syracuse.

SNUG uses trained outreach workers, or "credible messengers," to engage high-risk individuals and prevent gun violence through conflict mediation. Licensed social workers support each site by addressing trauma and connecting participants and families to needed services.

Questions are due by August 1, 2025, to dcjsfunding@dcjs.ny.gov.
Responses will be posted on or about August 15, 2025.
Applications are due by 12:00 p.m. on September 16, 2025.

The RFA is posted at: criminaljustice.ny.gov/ofpa

New York State Commercial Security Tax Credit

The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) administers the state’s Commercial Security Tax Credit Program. The program provides a tax credit to small retail businesses (50 or fewer employees) that operate a physical location or locations in the state and incur costs associated with retail theft prevention measures. Businesses may be eligible for a $3,000 credit per retail location, depending on the business size and expenses.

More information about the tax credit >>

New York State’s Clean Slate Act

New York State’s Clean Slate Act takes effect Nov. 16, 2024, and provides the state Office of Court Administration (OCA) up to three years to develop the required processes to automatically seal eligible conviction records. Once that work is complete, convictions that meet certain criteria will be sealed for certain civil background check purposes.

It is important to note that until OCA implements these sealing processes, any criminal history record provided through the DCJS Records Review process will continue to include convictions that eventually will be sealed because of Clean Slate. DCJS cannot seal records until receiving an order from the court to do so.

NOTE: Records of individuals convicted of sex crimes and non-drug Class A felonies, including murder, will not be sealed. Police departments, sheriffs’ offices, prosecutors, the courts, and any employer permitted by law to perform fingerprint-based background checks on job applicants will continue to have access to all criminal records under the law.

Additional information about the Clean Slate Act >>

New York State’s Firearm Laws: Resources and Information

New York State’s Gun Safety website provides the public, gun owners and gun dealers with comprehensive information about the requirements detailed in state laws. Questions about the new law may be directed to 1-855-LAW-GUNS.

Gun Safety in New York State >>

Frequently Asked Questions >>

Department of Environmental Conservation FAQs >>

Minimum Standards for Firearm Safety Training >>