Montana's Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG) Program

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 goal of Montana's Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG) program is to reduce juvenile offending through accountability-based initiatives focused on both the offender and the juvenile justice system. JABG funds will focus on three purpose areas (12, 14 and 15): establishing and maintaining programs to conduct risk and needs assessments that facilitate effective early intervention and the provision of comprehensive services, including mental health screenings and treatment and substance abuse testing and treatment to juvenile offenders; funding balanced and restorative justice programs that have reduced recidivism and promoting the development of restorative justice programs; and supporting programs and services that allow court staff and probation officers to be more effective and efficient in order to keep youth from further involvement and escalation into the juvenile justice system. Progress is measured through an evaluation process for each subgrant which includes quarterly reports, desk audits, and site visits. Conditions still exist that have established a waiver of the pass-through requirement to eligible units of local government. NCA/NCF