The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) was created by Congress in 1974 to help communities and States prevent and control delinquency and improve their juvenile justice systems. A component of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, OJJDP is the primary Federal agency responsible for addressing the issues of juvenile crime and delinquency and the problem of missing and exploited children, which Congress added to OJJDP's legislative mandate in 1984.

Although the nature and extent of delinquency and abuse have changed considerably since OJJDP was created, the Office continues to provide national leadership and support an array of activities to help States and local communities meet the many juvenile justice challenges they face. These challenges include dealing with the small percentage of juveniles who commit serious, violent offenses; holding young offenders accountable for their unlawful actions; combating alcohol and drug abuse; addressing gangs and juvenile gun violence; working to strengthen families; and helping children victimized by crime and child abuse.

The Office funds critical research, statistical, and evaluation efforts and demonstration programs, provides technical assistance and training, produces and distributes publications containing the most up-to-date juvenile-justice-related information available, oversees the Missing and Exploited Children's Program, and administers formula, block, and discretionary grant programs.

This annual report describes OJJDP's major accomplishments in these areas during fiscal year (FY) 1998, discusses the philosophy that guided its program plan, and summarizes the most recent data available on juveniles taken into custody. These activities reflect OJJDP's continuing commitment to focus on programs that have the greatest potential for reducing juvenile delinquency and improving the juvenile justice system.

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OJJDP Annual Report 1998	October 1999