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 through a range of administration, compliance and program activities including those that address juvenile justice issues for Native American Indian tribes.
The Maine Department of Corrections in coordination with the Maine Juvenile Justice Advisory Group (JJAG) proposes to expand understanding and adoption of positive youth development and strength-based principles among the community at large and in the programs it funds and supports. Other activities planned include: continued funding of evidence-based and evidence-informed practices and program assessments; creation of standards of practice for attorneys who represent juveniles; and support for Juvenile Review Boards that link key juvenile justice, mental health, social services, and school professionals in a collaborative matrix to facilitate communication and unify corrective, therapeutic, and re-integrative action on behalf of youth in need.
Notably, Maine seeks to increase the number of youth involved with its work to improve the juvenile justice system and will do so by establishing and supporting a subcommittee of the JJAG comprised entirely of young people representing youth in custody and their families, advocacy groups, and direct service organizations. This subcommittee will also help improve state residents' understanding of the juvenile justice system and the needs of its youth.
Additionally, the Maine JJAG will continue to assess its Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) data to identify and apply the most appropriate strategies to address DMC, including training for law enforcement in effective interactions with youth. NCA/NCF
