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 problems of abused, neglected, missing, and exploited children and for coordinating Federal agency efforts in these areas.

Although the nature and extent of delinquency and abuse have changed considerably since OJJDP was created, the Office continues to provide national leadership and to support an array of activities that help States, tribal jurisdictions, communities, and local governments meet the many juvenile justice challenges facing them. These challenges include dealing with the small percentage of juveniles who are serious, violent, and chronic offenders; holding offenders accountable for their unlawful actions; combating alcohol and drug abuse; addressing gang and juvenile gun violence; addressing the growing number of girls entering the juvenile justice system; recognizing and meeting the mental health needs of juvenile offenders; and helping children victimized by crime and child abuse.

The Office supports important research and evaluation efforts, statistical studies, and demonstration programs; provides technical assistance and training; produces and distributes publications and other products containing reliable and relevant information about juvenile justice topics; manages programs that address situations involving missing and exploited children; and administers formula, block, and discretionary grant programs.

During fiscal year (FY) 2000, OJJDP supported a variety of activities to help communities develop and implement multidisciplinary prevention and intervention programs and improve the capacity of their juvenile justice systems to protect the public, hold offenders accountable, and provide treatment and rehabilitative services to juveniles and their families. OJJDP also continued to provide up-to-date information to policymakers and the public about the extent and nature of juvenile crime and about what works to prevent it.

This Report describes OJJDP�s major activities and accomplishments in these areas during FY 2000. Together, they reflect the Office�s continuing commitment to programs that have the greatest potential for reducing juvenile delinquency and the victimization of children and for improving the juvenile justice system.