2013 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 Office of Youth Services (OYS) plans to pass-through 75 percent of the JABG award to the four counties of the State of Hawaii which include Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and the City and County of Honolulu. A waiver for the pass-through requirement will not be requested or submitted by the OYS.
Each county will address Purpose Area 1: Graduated Sanctions. This would allow an option for troubled youth at-first contact with police and/or court-involved youth from being detained or committed in Hawaiis only secure facilities located on Oahu; the Judiciarys Family Court Juvenile Detention Center and the OYS Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF). Placements in these secure facilities are detrimental to youth and their families from the neighboring islands of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai. The only mode of transportation to Oahu is by air which further exacerbates family support and relationship amongst other issues. Over 50% of juveniles committed to HYCF are from the neighbor islands.

The state will also address Purpose Area 11: Accountability-Based Programs. This would allow options to enhance graduated sanctions within the counties and/or partner and collaborate with individuals and non-profit organizations including faith-based. The OYS collaborates with juvenile justice officials and non-profit organizations in the counties to identify alternatives that would eliminate, if not, narrow the path to secure facilities and/or improve and enhance the justice system for the targeted youth population to be served.
Two recent studies commissioned by the OYS serve as guiding tools in OYS effort to reform or improve Hawaiis juvenile justice system. These include the Juvenile Crime Analysis (2009 to 2011) and Disproportionate Minority Contact in the Hawaii Juvenile Justice System (2000 to 2010). Progress will be measured using the JABG Performance Measurement System. Quarterly reports from each sub-grantee will be required as a means to measure progress throughout the duration of the projects. Any discrepancies or deficiencies in the project would warrant discussions with sub-grantees either by telephone or on-site monitoring visits. Corrective measure(s) will be applied wherever appropriate. The OYS will be reporting JABG performance measures as required by OJJDP's DCTAT and the GMS.
NCA/NCF