Improving the Juvenile Justice System in Maine: Rare, Fair & Beneficial

The Formula Grants Program is authorized under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act. The purpose of this program is to support state and local delinquency prevention and intervention efforts and juvenile justice system improvements. Supported activities and efforts 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) of the JJDP Act.

The Maine Department of Corrections is the sole state agency responsible for supervising the preparation and administration of the plan. Sate legislation gives the Maine Juvenile Justice Advisory Group (JJAG) and the Maine Department of Corrections the authority to implement the plan. The JJAG is committed to continuous improvement, internally, externally, and programmatically at all stages of the juvenile justice system. The Department of Corrections with the JJAG will focus on cost-effective strategies centered on prevention; restorative justice research, assessment and implementation; alternatives to incarceration: behavioral health needs: system improvement: education and training. The JJAG works to expand a deeper understanding of positive youth development and the Developmental Approach including strength-based prevention and effective intervention principles within communities and within the programs it funds and supports. NCA/NCF