Maryland's FY 15 Title II Formula Grant Program 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 over-arching theme of the proposed 3-year plan for the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention is implementing a developmental approach for juvenile justice reform. The plan focuses on initiatives and strategies that support the hallmarks of the that approach -- accountability without criminalization; alternatives to justice system involvement; individualized response based on assessment of needs and risks; confinement only when necessary for public safety; genuine commitment to fairness; sensitivity to disparate treatment, and family engagement. The Title II funds will be used to advance these hallmarks through a continuing focus on creating a continuum of care to meet the diverse needs of the youth served by Maryland's Juvenile Justice System; a continued collaboration with other State child-serving and public safety agencies; and an effort to bring innovative programming and strategies to serve youth safely in the community.

NCA/NCF