JABG 2011

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 Office of the Commissioner of Municpal Afairs (OCMA) admisters the JABG program for Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico continues to receive a 100% waiver of the pass-through requirment to units of local government. The goal of the Puerto Rico JABG program, as administered by the Office of the Commissioner for Municipal Affairs (OCMA) is to reduce juvenile offending through accountability-based programs. To meet that goal, Puerto Rico will undertake the following activities: 1) Establishing drug court programs that provide continuing judicial supervision over juvenile offenders with substance abuse problems and integrate administration of other sanctions and services for such offenders (Purpose Area 8); and (2) Supporting programs that conduct risk and needs assessments, thereby facilitating effective early intervention and the provision of comprehensive services, including mental health/substance abuse screening and treatment to juvenile offenders (Purpose Area 12). The selected performance measures applicable to each program area and the continuous monitoring to sub grantees will measure progress.

NCA/NCF