FY2011 JABG

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.

Juvenile Accountability Block Grant funds awarded to New Hampshire will be used for programming in the following purpose areas: #9-establishing and maintaining a system of juvenile records designed to promote public safety; #12-establishing and maintaining programs to conduct risk and needs assessments that facilitate effective early intervention; #16-hiring detention and corrections personnel and establishing and maintaining training programs for such personnel to improve facility practices and programming; and #17-establishing, improving, and coordinating 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. The State of New Hampshire will fund several positions including a data clerk, JDAI coordinator, nutrition consultant and a youth aftercare specialist with these funds. These positions will enable the Division for Juvenile Justice Services to reduce the number of youth entering secure detention, enhance aftercare and transitional services to better prepare them as they transition back into the community and improve the overall well being of youth at the Sununu Youth Service Center.
NCA/NCF