FY2015 State of Arkansas Title II Formula Grant Application

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 as found in section 223(a)(9) of the JJDP Act.

The State of Arkansas has embarked on a planned course to transform the state’s juvenile justice system, build capacity and foster essential relationships to create a better future for the youth of the State. The aim is to ensure that youth are not inappropriately or unnecessarily held in costly secure confinement, and that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely on services that actually produce positive outcomes for youth, families, and the community. To that end, the State of Arkansas has identified a number of priorities to be undertaken with FY 15 Title II funds, during the project and budget period, ranging from less reliance on residential care to better communication with stakeholders. During FY 2015-2018, the State of Arkansas and the State Advisory Group (SAG) will work to develop ways to promote implementation of evidence based and effective programming while fostering initiatives that will further the Juvenile Justice Reform efforts in the State through system improvement, compliance monitoring and capacity building activities. Additionally, the SAG will focus on three priority areas: school programming; reentry and aftercare; and alternatives to detention. NCA/NCF