Pennsylvania's FY 2010 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 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.

Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) will continue to pass-through ninety five percent (95%) of the JABG grant funds to local units of government. Local jurisdictions programming must be consistent with one or more of the 17 purpose areas to reduce juvenile offending and strengthen the juvenile justice system. In addition, local jurisdictions should give priority consideration to the following JABG purpose areas: (4) hiring additional prosecutors; (5) providing funding to enable prosecutors to address drug, gang, and youth violence problems more effectively and for technology, equipment, and training to help prosecutors identify and expedite the prosecution of violent and juvenile offenders; (7) establishing juvenile gun courts; (13) establishing and maintaining accountability-based programs that enhance school safety; and, (17) establishing, improving, and coordinating pre-release and post-release systems and programs to facilitate the successful re-entry of juvenile offenders from state and local custody to the community.

(NCA/NCF)