OJJDP Juvenile Accountability Block Grant funding is used in Wyoming to help implement programs and support efforts for the juvenile justice system in local communities.

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.

The Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) administers the state's JABG funds. DFS passes through the required 75% of the federal award to units of local government. While Wyoming continues to make substantial progress in juvenile justice reform, it remains out of compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended. Amongst its many obstacles, Wyoming lacks resources to provide and maintain adequate detention centers and 48 hour holds for juveniles. There is also a lack of resources in communities to keep youth in their home, rather than placing them in correctional and detention facilities. Therefore, DFS will use its portion of the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant funds to address: Purpose Area 9-Establishing and maintaining a system of juvenile records designed to promote public safety; Purpose Area 10- Establishing and maintaining interagency information sharing programs that enable the juvenile and criminal justice systems, schools, and social services agencies to make more informed decisions regarding the early identification, control, supervision, and treatment of juveniles who repeatedly commit serious delinquent or criminal acts; Purpose Area 12-Establishing and maintaining programs to conduct risk and needs assessments of juvenile offenders; and Purpose Area 15 - Establishing and maintaining programs to enable juvenile courts and juvenile probation officers to be more effective and efficient in holding juvenile offenders accountable and reducing recidivism. DFS will measure the progress of the JABG Sub-grant programs through the use of the Data Collection and Technical Assistance Tool (DCTAT) and annual monitoring.
NCA/NCF