National Juvenile Justice Evaluation Center

OJJDP seeks to continue establishment of a National Juvenile Justice Evaluation Center (NJJEC) that will advance the capacity of states, tribes, and communities to develop and implement policies, procedures, and practices that support their ability to evaluate their activities and use the findings to enhance their juvenile justice activities and programs. NJJEC will accomplish its mission through a broad range of activities, including training and technical assistance; information dissemination; collaboration with policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and evaluators; and partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies. This solicitation is authorized by Sections 221223 of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDP Act) of 1974, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5631-5633. The goal of the proposed project is to improve the capacity of states, tribes, and communities to design and implement evaluation activities and utilize the findings from these evaluation efforts to improve their juvenile justice programs. Project activities over the 12-month project will include a needs assessment, development of a Web site, development of two manuscripts, and production of a comprehensive report recommending subsequent project activities and deliverables for years two and three of the project. In addition, the grantee will hold an advisory group meeting of project stakeholders and a working group meeting to collaborate with other OJJDP training and technical assistance providers. The grantee will provide timely responses to information requests regarding evaluation from OJJDP. Finally, they will provide technical assistance to jurisdictions that request such assistance. Progress toward the goal and objectives will be measured by submission of OJJDP required performance measures. CA/NCF

OJJDP has a specific mission to develop and disseminate knowledge about what works to prevent juvenile delinquency and violence and improve the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. § 5601 et seq authorizes the Administrator of OJJDP to conduct research or evaluations and undertake statistical analyses on a wide range of juvenile justice matters. OJJDP also provides funding to states and localities to carry out research, evaluation, and statistical analyses.

The goal of the National Juvenile Justice Evaluation Center (NJJEC) is to improve the evaluation capacity of states, localities, and tribes. Activities for the third year of the project will be informed by feedback received from a national needs assessment of OJJDP grantees, as well as responses and questions from the field during the webinar series held by project staff earlier in the year. NJJEC will prepare and provide evaluation-related guidance to state, local, and tribal juvenile justice entities. Activities will include the development and delivery of webinars focused on narrowly defined topics and specific audiences, continued distribution of the NJJEC Bulletin, and the development of practitioner-friendly online resources on evaluation, performance measurement, and evidence-based practices in juvenile justice. NJJEC will provide timely responses to information requests regarding evaluation from OJJDP. Progress towards the goal and objectives will be measured by submission of performance measures required by OJJDP. CA/NCF