FY 2009 Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program

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 Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is the designated agency to receive JABG funds in the State of Indiana. Indiana retains 25% of JABG funding and passes through 75% to Units of Local Government programs. The State-retained portion will support the development, implementation, and administration of accountability-based sanctions for juvenile offenders by increasing the access and availability of training and technical assistance to implement systems of graduated sanctions. In addition, ICJI will establish and maintain interagency information-sharing programs and will support a risk and needs assessment of juvenile offenders referred under the jurisdiction of the drug court.

NCA/NCF