State of Arkansas, Statewide Initiative

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.

Arkansas is not a waiver state as at least 75% of JABG award funds are passed through to eligible units of local government. The following program area will be funded: Purpose Area #10: Interagency Information-Sharing to enable the juvenile and criminal justice systems, schools, and social services agencies to make more informed decisions regarding the early identification, control, supervision, and treatment of juveniles who repeatedly commit serious delinquent or criminal acts. The State will continue to collaborate with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the Arkansas Crime Information Center, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and local law enforcement agencies to promote better data collection efforts to increase information sharing across the juvenile justice continuum.
(NCA/NCF)