Arizona's FY 2013 Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program Plan.

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.

In 2013, Arizona will pass through 75% of its allocation to units of local government to support accountability-based programs. The Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families (GOCYF) will also direct state retained funds (20%) to support programs and system improvement projects administered by state agencies responsible for juvenile offenders. In an effort to direct funds to best meet the needs of the juvenile justice system, local government will once again be provided the opportunity to select one of the seventeen program purpose areas. Agencies interested in applying for state retained funding will select a program purpose area in line with one of the following key priority areas chosen by the Arizona Juvenile Justice Commission in the winter 2011: Accountability, Training, Information Sharing and Risk & Needs Assessment. In addition to local activities supported by JABG funding, the Commission will utilize funds to: expand upon existing database capacities; define mechanisms for administering validated assessments; ensure that youth receive appropriate services and treatment to address emergent needs; support accountability-based and restorative justice programming for adjudicated youth committed to detention facilities; and provide training opportunities that will support programs and professional development. NCA/NCF