2009 State of Colorado Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG)

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.

The State of Colorado is not a waiver state. At least 75% of the allocated funds are passed through to eligible units of local government. Colorado intends to focus on JABG Purpose Area #11 ' Accountability-Based Programs to increase the number of graduated sanction approaches available (utilizing diversion as appropriate) and to reduce the number of youth who re-offend.

(NCA/NCF)