FY 2010 Juvenile Accountability Block Grants 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.

West Virginia has been approved for a waiver of the JABG pass-through requirement and retains 85% of grant funds at the State level. The State Advisory Group has identified the following six program areas to fund: court staffing and pretrial services; prosecutors (funding); information sharing; accountability; risk and needs assessment; and school safety. Subgrantee activities will focus on the following goals: to hold juvenile offenders accountable for their actions; to enable juveniles to become productive and responsible citizens; and to give law enforcement personnel and agencies training and services to assist juveniles. The effectiveness of programs will be measured by the collection of identified OJJDP performance measurement data, on an annual basis and an on-site programmatic visit.
(NCA/NCF)