2013 JABG Application

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 Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) will utilize grant funds with the 2013 JABG Project for usage in four categories: (1) Project Administration, 5%, (2) Pass Through to Local Governments (The Department will request a waiver of pass through amount for 7% based on the state's current obligation of providing juvenile services), (3) Awards to State Agencies ($25,000 will be made available for competitive award to state agencies serving juveniles in the system), and (4) Department of Juvenile Justice Projects. With the pass through and state agency components, purpose areas will be identified by sub-grantees based on identified needs. As in past years, sub-grantees will likely address system improvements through the hiring of staff, staff hours, and information sharing as well as through enhanced court/ probation programming focused on juvenile justice issues such as truancy, graduated sanctions, and assessment of risks/ needs. The purpose areas to be utilized by the Department of Juvenile Justice projects include 11, 12, 16, and 17 as funds will be used to provide training to department staff, to provide treatment materials for direct care staff, to provide enhanced treatment and re-entry programming to youths committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice, and to provide alternatives to detention.
NCA/NCF