FY 2011 Juvenile Accountability Block 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. 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.

In Ohio, the 88 county juvenile courts have primary responsibility for administering juvenile justice at the local level. The Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) is responsible for juveniles adjudicated for serious felony offenses and committed to the State. Since only a relatively small number of youth are committed to DYS, the state does not request a waiver of the 75 percent pass through requirement to units of local government. However, five percent the JABG award will be used for administration and no more than 20 percent of the award will be used to provide programs, services, and training at the State level.

City government eligible for an allocation of $10,000 or greater will be awarded their exact amount. Units of local government will be awarded their allocation, along with unallocated funding within the county. In addition, counties with a total of $10,000 (all jurisdictions combined) will be permitted to apply for the allocation. Remaining unallocated JABG funding will be awarded, through a discretionary process, to county jurisdictions that receive no JABG funding. Juvenile courts will implement county allocations under purpose areas identified through local assessments.

Funding available for state purposes will be used to provide programs and services for youth within DYS facilities and youth on parole. In addition, the state will use a small portion of the funding to improve its juvenile correctional system by providing training to staff. The goal of all activities will be to reduce the likelihood that youth reoffend.

NCA/NCF