Overview
The Formula Grants Program is authorized under the JJDP Act of 1974, as amended, at 34 U.S.C. §§ 11131-11133.
OJJDP's Formula Grants Program supports state and local delinquency prevention and intervention efforts and juvenile justice system improvements. Within the program purpose areas, states can provide job training, mental health and substance abuse treatment, community-based programs and services, reentry/aftercare services, and school programs to prevent truancy.
OJJDP provides funds directly to states to help them implement comprehensive juvenile justice plans based on the needs in their jurisdictions. Access the Title II Formula Grants Program fact sheet for an overview about the program.
Programs and Funding
Funding is available to states and territories. Juvenile Justice Specialists in each state administer the funding through subgrants to units of local government, local private agencies, and Indian tribes for programs in accordance with legislative requirements. Only state agencies, designated by the Governor, are eligible to apply. State Advisory Groups, comprised of members appointed by the governor, set priorities for funded activities. For further information about the availability and implementation of these grants, contact your state's Juvenile Justice Specialist.
Between fiscal years 2017 and 2019, OJJDP awarded about $116 million to support state and community efforts to develop effective prevention and intervention programs and to improve the juvenile justice system.
- Fiscal Year 2019—$37.7 million
- Fiscal Year 2018—$43.1 million
- Fiscal Year 2017—$35.2 million
Awards
Details of funds awarded to the states through the formula grants program are accessible on the Distribution of Juvenile Justice Formula Grants by State page.
Core Requirements
To be eligible to receive a formula grant under JJDPA's Title II, Part B Formula Grants Program, a state must (1) satisfy 33 statutory state plan requirements, (2) designate a state agency to prepare and administer the state's comprehensive three-year juvenile justice and delinquency prevention plan, (3) establish a State Advisory Group to provide policy direction and participate in the preparation and administration of the three-year-plan, and (4) commit to achieve and maintain compliance with the four core requirements of the JJDPA:
- deinstitutionalization of status offenders,
- separation of juveniles from adult inmates,
- removal of juveniles from adult jails and lockups, and
- addressing racial and ethnic disparities.
You may also wish to review OJJDP's Core Requirements page, which outlines more details on the requirements with which participating states must comply.
Training and Technical Assistance
The Center for Coordinated Assistance to States provides resources and training and technical assistance to states and localities as they carry out delinquency prevention, intervention, and juvenile justice system improvement projects.
OJJDP's State Relations and Assistance Division annual training conference helps participants enhance implementation of the Title II Formula Grants program and support compliance with the core requirements of the JJDPA.
Request Training and Technical Assistance
Additionally, training and technical assistance to states and local communities is available through the Title II Formula Grant Program. To request assistance, visit OJJDP's training and technical assistance (TTA) portal and access resources on the Training and Technical Assistance webpage.
Monthly Calls with Title II Grantees
Access summaries of monthly calls:
2019
- November 13, 2019 SRAD Juvenile Justice Specialist Meeting Notes
- December 18, 2019 FY 2020 Title II Category 1 Call Summary
2020
- January 8, 2020 SRAD DMC Call
- February 12, 2020 FY 2020 Title II Category 2 Call Summary
- March 11, 2020 Compliance Monitor Call Summary
- April 8, 2020 Racial and Ethnic Disparities (RED) Coordinators Call
- May 13, 2020 SRAD Juvenile Justice Specialist Meeting Summary
- June 10, 2020 Compliance Monitor Meeting Summary
- August 12, 2020 Juvenile Justice Specialist Meeting Summary