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.

Michigan plans to use Juvenile Accountability Block Grant funds in two separate ways. Twenty-five percent of the funds will be used to fund programs targeting substance abuse, abuse assessment, testing and treatment in Northern Michigan communities which did not qualify for the 75% pass through dollars. The remaining funds will be distributed to the 13 counties and the City of Detroit in the lower part of the State. These funds will be used for programs that strengthen accountability, use graduated sanctions, address targeted behaviors and improve the juvenile justice system. Grantees submit data for short term and intermediate outcomes through monthly reports to the Michigan Department of Human Services (MDHS). The Michigan Public Health Institute receives the data and provides a yearly report to the Bureau of Juvenile Justice (BJJ) Federal Grants Unit (FGU) which is forwarded to OJJDP. The MDHS JABG Coordinator monitors JABG programs though the application process, monthly reports, and annual site visits when resources permit.

NCA/NCF