Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2010, $1,051,000)
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 Virginia passes through 75% of the JABG award to units of local government. Over the years the decreased federal allocation for the JABG award has reduced the allocations by formula to eligible units of local government. To keep localities from bearing the burden of the reductions, Virginia chose to retain level funding for localities by passing through additional funds. Remaining funds can be used as discretionary funds in competitive solicitations to support State level and local initiatives.
Eligible units of local government and discretionary subgrantees are given the flexibility to identify one or more of the 17 JABG purpose areas that meet the needs of their locality, identified by the individual Coordinated Enforcement Plans. The priority areas identified by the Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice help govern the discretionary funds. They include:
1. Reducing disproportionality;
2. Diverting juveniles from detention and providing alternatives;
3. Increasing family and community involvement;
4. Ensuring youth are afforded due process of law.
Activities will be implemented according to the selected purpose area(s). To ensure that identified goals and objectives are achieved the Grant Monitor will monitor progress through monitoring tools to include site visits, quarterly progress reports and performance measures reports.
(NCA/NCF)