Vermont's response to offender focused and system focused activities that promote accountability.

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. 3796ee). 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 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 at well over the 25% requirement. Therefore, 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 maintain a system of juvenile records; and Purpose Area 11: To establish and maintain accountability-based programs designed to reduce recidivism among juveniles who are referred by law enforcement personnel or agencies;

The Vermont Department for Children and Families began implementation of a transformation plan in 2007, utilizing JABG system improvement funds throughout. The first couple of years brought risk and needs assessments to youth justice practice in Vermont. The next year focused on targeted case planning. This year's funding for Purpose Area 11 will focus on developing an accountability based program designed to reduce recidivism among juveniles and develop a provider network trained to deliver evidence-based interventions. Purpose Area 9 will allow the State to establish a record keeping system that will help track output 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