Juvenile justice system improvement and delinquency prevention

The Formula Grants Program is authorized under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act of 1974, as amended. The purpose of this program is to support State and local delinquency prevention and intervention efforts and juvenile justice system improvements. Program areas may include: Planning and administration; State Advisory Group allocation; compliance monitoring; juvenile justice issues for American Indian tribes; prevention of substance abuse by juveniles; prevention of serious and violent crimes by juveniles; prevention of juvenile gang involvement and illegal youth gang activities; prevention of delinquent acts and identification of youth at risk of delinquency; and improvement of juvenile justice system operations, policies, and procedures including establishing a system of graduated sanctions, treatment programs, and aftercare.

The Maine Department of Corrections commits to continually assessing DMC data while working toward intervention to find the most appropriate strategies to address DMC. The primary focus will be to expand the understanding of positive youth development and strength-based principles among the community at large and in the programs it funds and supports. The Maine Department of Corrections will continue to explore and provide support to effective programs and strategies that provide structured alternatives to detention specifically for girls. Efforts will resume in supporting effective delinquency prevention programs that address family and child needs prior to the development of criminal behavior. The Maine Department of Corrections will advocate for adoption of alternatives to school suspension and expulsion practices and reconsideration of zero-tolerance policies. FY 2011 Title II funding will continue to support only evidenced-based and evidence informed practices and program assessments while continuing to support the development of state-wide protocols that address juvenile adjudicative competence. The Maine Department of Corrections will work to assure the creation of standards of practice for attorneys who represent juveniles and provide judges, legislators, juvenile justice professionals and the public with training and reliable information regarding what works so that scarce resources are only spent on effective services. (NCA/NCF)