FY 2013 JABG 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 et. seq.). 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 Texas Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program (JABG) is administered by the Governor's Criminal Justice Division (CJD), to promote structured treatment and accountability services for youth that reduce recidivism by funding juvenile drug courts and programs designed to hold juvenile offenders accountable. This includes programs that will assist Texas in developing effective education, training, research, prevention, diversion, treatment, and rehabilitation programs in the area of juvenile delinquency and programs that will improve the juvenile justice system. CJD will retain 20% of the award for discretionary projects and 5% for administrative costs. Discretionary funds will be directed towards increasing the capacity of drug courts to provide treatment and accountability options for substance abusing offenders. The remaining 75% will be passed through to eligible local units of government to support projects that will impact young offenders at their first offense; address the disproportionate number of juveniles members of minority groups who come into contact with the juvenile justice system; address issues related to juvenile gang activity; address the use and abuse of illegal substances, prescription and non-prescription drugs and alcohol; and impact offender accountability or improve the practices, policies or procedures within the juvenile justice system. CJD contracts with the Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) at Texas A&M University to maintain an online performance reporting environment. PPRI also provides technical assistance to grantees related to reporting on the required JABG performance measures and works with CJD to prepare and submit required federal performance reports through the DCTAT system. NCA/NCF