Skip to main content

Translate

It looks like your device language is set to . Would you like to translate this page?
Photo by Portraits of Justice © 2018 Mural Arts Program / Russell Craig & Jesse Krimes, Municipal Services Building. Photo by Steve Weinik.

Division of Criminal Justice

Advancing collaborative reforms in Philadelphia's criminal and juvenile justice systems that produce racial equity and community safety.

Division of Criminal Justice

What we do

The Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) advances the Parker administration’s goals of public safety and community well-being by reforming Philadelphia’s criminal and juvenile justice systems. We advance collaborative and data-driven strategies that:

  • Foster meaningful community partnerships.
  • Identify and break down barriers to racial equity.
  • Increase opportunities for diversion away from the justice system.
  • Safely reduce the jail population.

DCJ also supports the following programs:

Connect

Email ops@phila.gov

BHU data dashboard

Learn about the Police Department’s Behavioral Health Unit (BHU)

The BHU partners with behavioral health professionals to de-escalate crisis situations and connect individuals with supportive services.

View the dashboard

Announcements

OPS Announces Open Application for 2027 Cycle of $25M City Grant Program

The application period is now open for four Office of Public Safety Grants! Those grants are the Targeted Community Investment Grant (TCIG), the Community Capacity Grant (CCG), the Community Expansion Grant (CEG), [those three are collectively known as the City’s Anti-Violence Community Partnership Grants], and the Safety Through Care grant (STC) [formerly the Overdose Prevention & Community Healing fund (OPCH)]. Organizations in Philadelphia engaged in prevention or intervention work focused on violence or substance misuse can apply for grants from $10,000 to $1 million. Funding is available through the grants at various amounts to align with organizational experience and program scope:

  • TCIG ($10,000, $25,000, $40,000, $50,000) provides grants to new and growing organizations offering summer programming. Programs may be summer-long programs, single events, or a series of one-time events occurring during the grant period, June through September.
  • CCG ($75,000) supports organizations that have been a TCIG grantee within the past three cohorts and are ready to expand their capacity with larger awards over a longer grant period, March through December.
  • STC ($150,000) funds ten organizations that work to address substance misuse. These organizations will receive specialized technical assistance and become tertiary distributors of Narcan during the grant period, January through December.
  • CEG ($100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $750,000, $1,000,000) is designed for mid-sized, established organizations with demonstrated capacity to implement larger-scale programming and achieve measurable community impact. Funded organizations must offer programming for at least nine months of the grant period, January through December.
Eligible applicants include:
  • Individuals
  • Nonprofits
  • Fiscally sponsored organizations
  • LLCs
  • S-Corps
  • B-Corps

Updates to the application and grants have been designed to improve accessibility for smaller and grassroots organizations, better align funding with organizational capacity, and provide a clear pathway for growth across all funding levels.

Additionally, this year’s funding cycle updates reflect feedback from partners and stakeholders to ensure a clear, aligned approach and consistent messaging across the application, review, and implementation process.

What are OPS grants?

The Office of Public Safety grant program funds community-based violence and substance misuse prevention and intervention programs that improve public safety, increase opportunities for self-development and care, and build a stronger sense of community throughout neighborhoods most impacted by gun violence and substance misuse.

OPS grantees use trauma-informed approaches to gun violence and substance misuse, build resiliency in their communities, mediate conflicts, and promote social or economic empowerment. Examples of past programs include, but are not limited to:

  • Resource fairs
  • Outreach events
  • Job training and career development
  • Neighborhood and community beautification
  • Education events and workshops
  • Community engagement

How can I apply?

The common application for all four grants opens Friday, August 28, 2026, at 12:00 PM. The application period closes on September 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

Information Sessions will be held virtually to support applicants throughout the process. Sessions will be offered on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, September 2, 2026            6:00 PM
  • Tuesday, September 8, 2026                  12:00 PM
  • Thursday September 10, 2026               6:00 PM
  • Monday, September 14, 2026                 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday, September 16, 2026          12:00 PM
  • Tuesday, September 22, 2026                6:00 PM
  • Thursday, September 24, 2026              12:00 PM
  • Monday, September 28, 2026                 12:00 PM

To learn more about the grants, you can register for an info session and apply online.

For more information about the grants, email AntiViolenceGrants@phila.gov.

Events

  • Sep
    8
    ORU Wellness Resource Fair
    10:00 am to 1:00 pm
    Rock Ministries, 2755 Kensington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19134, USA

    ORU Wellness Resource Fair

    September 8, 2026
    10:00 am to 1:00 pm, 3 hours
    Rock Ministries, 2755 Kensington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19134, USA
    map
    Find treatment and housing, wound and nursing care, HIV Hep-C and COVID-19 tests, vaccinations, Narcan, toiletries, water, snacks and more! Email opioidresponseunit@phila.gov
  • Sep
    15
    Voices Beyond the Walls: Justice, Reentry, and Civic Power
    5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
    Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA

    Voices Beyond the Walls: Justice, Reentry, and Civic Power

    September 15, 2026
    5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, 2 hours
    Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
    map
    DOR Event
  • Sep
    22
    ORU Wellness Resource Fair
    10:00 am to 1:00 pm
    Rock Ministries, 2755 Kensington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19134, USA

    ORU Wellness Resource Fair

    September 22, 2026
    10:00 am to 1:00 pm, 3 hours
    Rock Ministries, 2755 Kensington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19134, USA
    map
    Find treatment and housing, wound and nursing care, HIV Hep-C and COVID-19 tests, vaccinations, Narcan, toiletries, water, snacks and more! Email opioidresponseunit@phila.gov

Top