FY11 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.

The New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Juvenile Justice Commission (JCC), will use its portion of the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant funds to address Purpose Area #2 (Correction/Detention Facilities) and Purpose Area #12 (Risk and Needs Assessments). Purpose Area #2 will be addressed by the continued elimination of suicide hazards within the sleeping rooms of New Jersey's Juvenile Secure-Care Facilities. The elimination of these concerns will be implemented through the purchase and installation of suicide-resistant hardware and furnishings. This will enhance the overall safety of the sleeping rooms in the juvenile secure-Care facilities. Purpose Area #12 will be addressed by implementing and sustaining a comprehensive screening process for juveniles in the area of substance abuse, mental health and treatment entering juvenile secure-care facilities. The JJC will distribute 75% of the State's total award to units of local government (21 County Youth Services Commissions and identified Municipalities). Each unit of local government must identify Purpose Area(s) to be addressed in their JABG sub-grant application. The JJC will measure the progress of the JABG Sub-grant programs through the use of the Data Collection and Technical Assistance Tool (DCTAT), the Juvenile Automated Management System and annual monitoring.
NCA/NCF