FFY 09 Minnesota JABG 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.

The State of Minnesota is not a waiver state. At least 75% of JABG award funds are passed through to eligible units of local government. The following program areas will be funded: JABG Purpose Area #1 ' Gradutated Sanctions to reduce the number of truancy cases that end up in court and reduce recidivism rates; #11 ' Accountability based programs to assist youth in the reintegration process back to communities after completing correction programming; and #12 ' Risk and Needs Assessment to utilize a classification tool that includes criminogenic factors and promotes individualized intervention strategies including restorative justice practices.

(NCA/NCF)