FY 2010 JABG 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.

The Texas JABG Program promotes structured treatment and accountability services for youth that reduce recidivism by funding juvenile drug courts and programs designed to hold juvenile offenders accountable. Texas will retain 25% of the award for discretionary projects and pass through the remaining 75% to eligible local units of governments. Texas selected the Juvenile Drug Courts and Accountability purpose areas and corresponding performance measures to track grantee and overall progress. CJD contracts with the Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) at Texas A&M University to maintain an online performance reporting environment. PPRI also provides technical assistance to grantees related to reporting on the required JABG performance measures and works with CJD to prepare and submit required federal performance reports through the DCTAT system.

(NCA/NCF)