Virginia 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.

Virginia 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 areas will be funded: (3) Hiring Court Staff/Pre-Trial Services to reduce the number of low risk juveniles held in secure detention centers by continuing to support the efforts of the Department of Juvenile Justice and reduce the use of secure detention and increase the availability of Court Staff and Pretrial Services; (12) Risk and Needs Assessment to reduce the number of juveniles who recidivate and expand the use of community based programs and services appropriate to the individual needs of a juvenile in the least restrictive environment; and(16)Detention/Corrections Personnel to reduce disparate treatment of minority youth who come into the juvenile justice system and to train system professionals at all stages and on best-practices and cultural competency.
NCA/NCF