FY25 Kevin and Avonte Program opens

The Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) released the FY25 Kevin and Avonte Program solicitation on January 13, 2026. The program focuses on reducing injuries and deaths of individuals with developmental disabilities or dementia who may wander or elope from safe environments.

What the program targets

The FY25 Kevin and Avonte Program is centered on risks tied to wandering and elopement. The solicitation describes a focus on individuals with developmental disabilities or dementia who may leave safe environments and face increased risk of injury or death. For IDD providers, the program’s focus aligns with common safety planning needs across residential and community based settings, especially where providers coordinate with external partners during a missing person response.

Why this matters for IDD providers

IDD providers can partner with law enforcement and community organizations to build prevention, response, and recovery programs related to wandering and elopement. The solicitation notes that funding can support training, coordination, and the use of locative technologies. This structure positions providers as a key community partner in planning and implementation, particularly where programs require defined roles across provider teams, local agencies, and other community organizations.

Key dates and eligible activities

The solicitation includes the following key dates:

• Grants.gov deadline: February 20, 2026

• JustGrants deadline: February 27, 2026

Eligible activities listed in the solicitation include:

• Community and law enforcement partnerships

• Prevention and response planning

• Training and technical assistance

• Locative technology implementation

The Opportunity ID for this solicitation is O-BJA-2025-172473.