FY 2010 Maryland 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.

Maryland's Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) continues to assume responsibility for the administration of the juvenile justice functions in the State, therefore, Maryland requested a continuation of the waiver of the 75 percent of the JABG grant funds to local units of government to support the needs of the DJS. The FY 2010 JABG funds will support the following purpose areas: (11) accountability-based programs designed to reduce recidivism among juveniles who are referred by law enforcement agencies; (12) programs to conduct risk and needs assessments that facilitate effective early intervention and the provision of comprehensive services; and (17) pre-release and post-release systems and programs to facilitate the successful re-entry of juvenile offenders from state and local custody in the community.

(NCA/NCF)