FY 2009 Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Application

The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program (JABG) Program is authorized under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 376ee). The goal of the JABG program is to reduce juvenile offending through accountability-based programs focused on both the juvenile offender and the juvenile justice system. The objective is to ensure that States and Territories are addressing the specified program purpose areas and receiving information on best practices from OJJDP. JABG funds are allocated to States and Territories based on each State's relative population of youth under the age of 18. The underlying premise of juvenile accountability programming is that young people who violate the law should be held accountable for their actions through the swift, consistent application of graduated sanctions that are proportionate to the offense, both as a matter of basic justice and as a way to combat juvenile delinquency, and improve the quality of life in the nation's communities.

Florida has received a 100% waiver of the required pass through amounts to units of local government. Florida has certified that the conditions that existed to establish a 100% waiver have not changed. Florida will focus on five purpose areas: 6 ' establishing and maintaining training programs for law enforcement and other court personnel; 9 ' establishing and maintaining a system of juvenile records designed to promote public safety; 11 ' establishing and maintaining accountability-based programs designed to reduce recidivism among juveniles who are referred by law enforcement personnel or agencies; 12 ' establishing and maintaining programs to conduct risk and needs assessments; and 16 ' hiring detention and corrections personnel, and establishing and maintaining training programs for such personnel, to improve facility practices and programming.

(NCA/NCF)