The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) was created in 1984 to reduce violent crime, create safer communities, and reform our Nation’s criminal justice system. BJA’s mission is to provide leadership and services in grant administration and criminal justice policy development to support state, local, and tribal justice strategies to achieve safer communities. BJA works with communities, governments, and nonprofit organizations to reduce crime, recidivism, and unnecessary confinement, and promote a safe and fair criminal justice system.
The Connect and Protect: Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Response Program focuses on fostering law enforcement and behavioral health collaboration to improve both public health and safety. Its main goals are to enhance responses and outcomes for individuals with mental health disorders or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders by supporting the preparation, creation, or expansion of comprehensive plans. These collaborative projects aim to serve individuals qualifying for such programs, emphasizing the intersection of public safety and public health through innovative partnership strategies.