Delinquency Prevention, Juvenile Justice Systems Improvement, Alternatives to Secure Detention, State Advisory Group, Racial and Ethnic Disparities

The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice (KYDJJ) is the Designated State Agency (DSA) responsible for the administration of the Title II Formula Grants Program within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Kentucky Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB) serves as the State Advisory Group (SAG), as defined under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, amended as the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018. The purpose of the JJAB is to advise the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice, the Governor, and the General Assembly on juvenile justice related issues and programs; develop program criteria for early juvenile intervention, diversion, and prevention projects, develop statewide priorities for funding, and make recommendations for allocation of Title II Formula Grant funds to the Commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice. 

The population served by this program are males and females, ages 10-21, at risk for involvement, or those already involved in the juvenile justice system. Kentucky’s priority areas for Title II funding are identified through annual planning and data review. The priorities areas identified for 2021-2023, through the guidance of the JJAB, are as follows:

1. Development and sustainment of a viable, accountable, and well-functioning advisory board.

2. Continually assess and address needs associated juvenile justice issues in Kentucky.

3. Serve as a leading resource for best practices, including prevention models and strategies that advance the mission of JJAB.

4. Advance equity for minority youth groups, related to juvenile justice system involvement and service provisions.

5. Build overall capacity for individuals, groups, and communities to address issues relevant to juvenile justice.

6. Ensure compliance with all four core requirements of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018.   

The program areas to be addressed through the 2021-2023 Title II funding include:

Delinquency Prevention
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Alternatives to Detention
Aftercare/Reentry Services
Juvenile Justice Systems Improvement

Funding will be used to enhance the state sub-recipient grants programs, and processes that support the needs associated with Kentucky’s juvenile justice reform, placing necessary focus on developmental appropriateness and trauma informed care frameworks, with emphasis place on the well-being of all Kentucky youth.