2009 Juvenile Accountability Block Grant

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.

Nebraska 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 #15: Establishing and maintaining programs to enable juvenile courts and juvenile probation officers to be more effective and efficient in holding juvenile offenders accountable and reducing recidivism. JABG funds will be used to provide structured intermediate sanctions within school settings as an alternative to institutional revocation or more restrictive placement for adjudicated youth who are having difficulty succeeding in regular community supervision. This will be done by maintaining or increasing the number of youth receiving structured intermediate sanctions via a School Intervention Worker who will be responsible for providing academic support and monitoring for youth. Additionally, a three month summer program will be available for youth who need further support with specialized programming.(NCA/NCF)