Diversion, quality assurance and alternatives to detention projects

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 offenses, 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 Maine bears the primary financial burden for the administation of juvenile justice, and thus has recieved a 100% waiver of the pass through requirement to units of local government. Maine will continue funding for the Diversion to Assets program, which has been implemented in five communities under the Accountability program area. This program allows first-time, low-risk offenders to be diverted from the juvenile justice system into this strength-based, accountability-based program.

Maine's Alternative to Detention program under the Court staffing & Pre-trial Services program area, serves youth in the Portland area. This program provides an array of services which include after school/early evening programming, community service, tutoring/mentoring, alternative education programming with vocation and GED educational curriculum, and support for families that may include housing assistance.

To continue the high level of service to its detained and committed youth population, Maine uses Performance-based Standards (PbS), a data driven process that measures adherence to standards and identifies areas for needed improvement under the Juvenile Records program area.

Each of these projects has selected performance measures that are reviewed quarterly.

(NCA/NCF)