(WHTM) -- Over $800,000 is headed to Pennsylvania with the goal of protecting our state's most vulnerable.

The money is from the Department of Justice, which hopes this will help communities work with at-risk kids and teens.

Its funding, officials say, will allow them to develop prevention and intervention services to help children stay out of the criminal justice system.

"Right now communities across the country are dealing with profound challenges that impact the health and well being of young people," Liz Ryan of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention said. "Depression, anxiety and other mental health issues have spiked since the start of the pandemic. our youth are isolated."

Officials said that they hope this will also help combat things such as gun violence.

Six other states are also getting funds.