Grants

The Supreme Court of Ohio (“Court”) is requesting grant applications to support the creation or expansion of school attendance mediation programs designed to reduce absenteeism and prevent children and youth from becoming involved in the child welfare system. These programs aim to address chronic absenteeism through collaboration, non-adversarial approaches that engage students, families, schools, and community partners. The application period is now open and applications will be received beginning Monday, December 8, 2025.

This funding opportunity is designed to establish or expand school attendance mediation programs that bring together families, schools, and community agencies to resolve barriers to regular attendance. Funding may support the payment of mediators to mediate school attendance cases, provide administrative support for scheduling mediations, and assist with the development of referral systems and protocols between schools and juvenile courts. Mediators must be qualified by the Supreme Court to accept mediation cases pursuant to Sup.R. 16.23(A). 

Common pleas juvenile courts in Ohio are eligible to apply. Funding will be available only for projects directly related to school attendance mediation. This opportunity is funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, administered under the Court Improvement Program (CIP) by the Court’s Children and Families Section.

Applications will be received until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

How to Apply

The Request for Applications provides detailed information on the requirements for applicants and is available HERE.

Application document is available HERE.

The Application with attached PDF quote and FFATA form must be submitted to: CFC@sc.ohio.gov by the deadline.

The application period is now closed. Results of the competitive application process are expected in December 2025.

The application period for the Court Improvement Program (CIP) Mediation Grant opportunity is now closed. Results of the competitive application process are expected on or about Dec. 1, 2025.

The application period for the Court Improvement Program (CIP) Technology Grant opportunity is now closed. Results of the competitive application process are expected on or about Dec. 1, 2025.