Title II Formula Grant's Program

The Formula Grants Program is authorized under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act of 1974, as amended. The purpose of this program is to support state and local delinquency prevention and intervention efforts and juvenile justice system improvements. Program areas may include: planning and administration; state advisory group allocation; compliance monitoring; disproportionate minority contact; juvenile justice issues for Native American Indian tribes; prevention of substance abuse by juveniles; prevention of serious and violent crimes by juveniles; prevention of juvenile gang involvement and illegal youth gang activities; prevention of delinquent acts and identification of youth at risk of delinquency; and improvement of juvenile justice system operations, policies, and procedures including establishing a system of graduated sanctions, treatment programs, and aftercare.

The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) has experienced reductions in formula grant allotments due to violations in core requirements, most especially the Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders (DSO). The USVI has been challenged in the past by problematic data from the Virgin Islands Police Department. However, there has been more recent improvement in the quality and reliability of the data received from the VIPD. This gives the LEPC and the State Advisory Group the baseline data needed to track reductions in violations and improve reporting.

The primary focus of this award will be to address DSO. The USVI will continue to fund the Compliance Monitor position, which will help move the territory toward full compliance.

The Virgin Islands has no changes to its 3 year-plan components.

NCA/NCF