The Idaho Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program provides pass-through funds for local units of government to develop programs to hold juvenile offenders accountable.

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 Idaho is not a waiver state. 95% of JABG award funds are passed through to eligible units of local government. The following program areas will be funded:
#14 Restorative Justice and #17 Re-Entry. In addition, Idaho estimates it will earn $35,000 in interest with 2009 JABG dollars. These funds will be used to maintain training programs at the POST Academy to improve facility practices and juvenile justice programming, which is JABG purpose Area #16.

(NCA/NCF)