OJJDP FY 09 Juvenile Accountability Block Grants Program

The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program (JABG) Program is authorized under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 376ee). The goal of the JABG program is to reduce juvenile offending through accountability-based programs focused on both the juvenile offender and the juvenile justice system. The objective is to ensure that States and Territories are addressing the specified program purpose areas and receiving information on best practices from OJJDP. JABG funds are allocated to States and Territories based on each State's relative population of youth under the age of 18. The underlying premise of juvenile accountability programming is that young people who violate the law should be held accountable for their actions through the swift, consistent application of graduated sanctions that are proportionate to the offense, both as a matter of basic justice and as a way to combat juvenile delinquency, and improve the quality of life in the nation's communities. Texas is not a waiver state as at least 75% of JABG award funds are passed through to eligible units of local government. The following program area(s) will be funded: Purpose Area 8: Juvenile Drug Courts; and Purpose Area 11: Accountability. JABG funds will be used to provide continuing judicial supervision of juvenile offenders with substance abuse problems and to integrate administration of other sanctions and services with the objective to increase the capacity of courts to provide treatment options, and also to increase the accountability of substance abuse offenders. These funds will also establish and maintain accountability-based programs designed to reduce overall juvenile crime and recidivism among juveniles who are referred by law enforcement personnel or agencies with the objective of reducing the incidence of juvenile arrests and improve the practices, policies or procedures within the juvenile justice system to deter future criminal and delinquent activity. (NCA/NCF)