FY 2013 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 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 Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) will award 2013 JABG funding to units of local government so that funding can be implemented locally by juvenile justice agencies as deemed appropriate based on local needs. Historically, local funding has been implemented by the county juvenile courts because these agencies administer juvenile justice locally. The units of government may also opt to provide funding to juvenile detention centers, a prosecutor's office, police agencies, or private agencies that provide services to youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The goal of Ohio's JABG program is to provide services to youth that reduce the likelihood of recidivism. This will be accomplished through the programming and system improvement efforts both at the state and local levels. Local programs will include those that help prevent further or unnecessary penetration into the justice system, and that offer meaningful opportunities for rehabilitation. System improvement efforts will include those that provide increased safety and security and improve the overall functionality of the targeted juvenile justice systems.

NCA/NCF