State of Wisconsin FY2023 Title II Formula Grant

As the designated state agency under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Wisconsin Department of Justice (WI DOJ) will use the FY2023 Title II Formula Grant award to advance the vision that all youth and families are safe, healthy, educated, supported equitably, and provided opportunities to achieve their full potential. WI DOJ will partner with the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Commission (GJJC) to implement programs that enhance and improve the juvenile justice system at the state and local levels.

WI DOJ will work closely with county human services agencies, mental health agencies, law enforcement agencies, and local youth services organizations to provide direct services to youth and improve the juvenile justice system. The program will directly and indirectly benefit youth who are in the juvenile justice system or are at risk of entering the juvenile justice system. WI DOJ and the GJJC plan to maintain State compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), promote policy and legislative improvements for the juvenile justice system, reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system at arrest and diversion, promote youth, family, and community engagement, improve data collection, and administer grant programs.

FY2023 Title II Formula Grant funding will support evidence-based and trauma-informed trainings, interventions, programs, and system improvements that align with the priorities within the 2021-2023 Three-Year Plan, including: supporting positive youth development programs, funding delinquency prevention projects, and identifying and implementing strategies that address and reduce disparities. A portion of funds will also support a Juvenile Justice Specialist/R/ED Coordinator, Compliance Monitors, and portions of the work of a program supervisor, grant specialist, and program support staff.

WI DOJ will measure progress through subgrantee quarterly program reports. Reports provide data for the required outcome/output measures for the funded purpose areas, including the OJJDP required performance measure and the subgrantees’ goals and objectives. Compliance data will be collected and reported as required. Relevant staff will continue to focus on training and technical assistance to stakeholders, targeting areas such as 223(a)(11)(B), court holding policies and procedures, and tribal outreach/partnerships. Compliance staff aim to further reduce the number of violations under each core requirement, with a goal of reaching zero. Additionally, GJJC meeting minutes and policy memos will include qualitative data regarding stakeholder education on the JJDPA and racial and ethnic disparities, GJJC recommended legislative changes, progress on improving Wisconsin’s juvenile justice data structure, and youth and family engagement.