State of Colorado Juvenile Accountability Block Grant 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.

Because of the dramatic decrease in federal funding to support juvenile justice, Colorado needs to maximize all the resources being directed at serving its juvenile justice population. This 2013 JABG application shows a shift in funding from direct services to supporting systems change efforts with an emphasis on addressing juveniles involved in the juvenile justice system who maybe dually involved in other systems. This plan fits in Colorado's graduated sanction approach to serve juvenile offenders in accordance with their offenses and history and also complements Colorado's 2012-2014 JJDP Council's Three Year Juvenile Justice Plan which also focuses on system improvement.

The priority areas established for Colorado's 2013 JABG program include: (PA 11) Establishing and maintaining accountability-based programs to reduce recidivism among juveniles who are referred by law enforcement personnel or agencies; (PA 6) Establishing and maintaining training programs for law enforcement and other court personnel with respect to preventing and controlling crime; and (PA 12) Establishing and maintaining programs to conduct risk and needs assessments that facilitate effective early intervention and the provision of comprehensive services, including mental health screening and treatment and substance abuse testing and treatment, to juvenile offenders.

Building off already established cross disciplinary initiatives, Colorado will provide opportunities for focused discussions about the needs of juvenile offenders being served through non-juvenile justice systems such as child welfare or behavioral health to identify the program gaps or barriers which contribute to juvenile offenders penetrating the justice system. Colorado will ultimately provide opportunities for cross system training on assessment processes that serve to streamline receipt and sharing of assessment findings and the development of case planning and provision of services which are research or evidence-based. NCA/NCF