Vermont's JABG 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.

Vermont bears over 90% of the primary financial burden for the administration of juvenile justice within the State. Vermont retains 100% of JABG funds with no pass-through amount to units of local government to fund the following State level initiatives:

Purpose Area 9: to continue to create and maintaining a system of juvenile records;
Purpose Area 10: Establishing and maintaining interagency information-sharing programs that enable the juvenile and criminal justice systems, schools and social services agencies to make more informed decisions regarding the early identification, control, supervision, and treatment of juveniles who repeatedly commit serious delinquent or criminal acts.;
Purpose Area 11: Establishing and maintaining accountability-based programs designed to reduce recidivism among juveniles who are referred by law enforcement personnel or agencies;
Vermont Department for Children and Families began implementation of a transformation plan in 2007; utilizing JABG system improvement funds throughout. The first two years brought risk and needs assessment to youth justice practice in Vermont. The next year focused on targeted case planning. This year's funding for Purpose Area (PA) 11 will focus on developing accountability based programs designed to reduce recidivism among juveniles. PA 9 & 10 will establish record keeping and info sharing systems that will help track accountability and measure outcomes.

All sub-grantees of the Vermont Department of Children and Families collect, analyze, and report data on grant funded activities quarterly. Sub-grantees track output and outcome measures to monitor the quality and impact of programming. The Vermont Department for Children and Families Youth Justice Unit works closely with the Vermont Juvenile Justice Commission to monitor trends and measure progress towards program goals.

(NCA/NCF)