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 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.

New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) passes through the required 75% of the federal award to Units Of Local Government (21 County Youth Services Commissions and identified Municipalities). The JJC will use its portion of the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant funds to address Purpose Area #10 (Information Sharing) and Purpose Area #12 (Risk and Needs Assessments). Purpose Area #10 will be addressed by continued modification to the Management Information System (MIS) to enhance efficiency and creating an electronic record on every juvenile offender from prevention to re-entry. Data recorded will be used to continue ongoing planning purposes at the State and Local levels. Purpose Area #12 is to implement and sustain a comprehensive substance abuse screening and assessment procedure for all juveniles entering the JJC. Staff will conduct comprehensive substance abuse assessments at intake to help facilitate the effective early intervention and the provision of comprehensive services. The JJC will measure the progress of the JABG Sub-grant programs through the use of the Data Collection and Technical Assistance Tool (DCTAT), the Juvenile Automated Management System and annual monitoring.
(NCA/NCF)