The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG) Program assists state and units of local government in promoting greater accountability in the juvenile justice system.
The goal of the JABG program is to reduce juvenile offending through supporting accountability-based programs that focus on offenders and state and local juvenile justice systems. Accountability means an assurance of facing individualized consequences through which juveniles are made aware of and held responsible for the loss, damage, or injury that the victim experiences. Accountability is best achieved through a system of graduated sanctions imposed according to the nature and severity of the offense, moving from limited interventions to more restrictive actions if the offender continues delinquent activities. For the juvenile justice system, strengthening the system requires an increased capacity to develop youth competence, to efficiently track juveniles through the system, and to provide enhanced options such as restitution, community service, victim-offender mediation, and other restorative justice sanctions that reinforce the mutual obligations of an accountability-based juvenile justice system.
All applications must fall under one (1) of the following Purpose Areas (PA):
- Information Sharing (PA 10) - Establishing and maintaining interagency information-sharing programs that enable the juvenile and criminal justice systems, schools, and social services agencies to make more informed decisions regarding the early identification, control, supervision, and treatment of juveniles who repeatedly commit serious delinquent or criminal acts;
- Accountability (PA 11) - Establishing and maintaining accountability-based programs designed to reduce recidivism among juveniles who are referred by law enforcement personnel or agencies;
- Risk & Needs Assessment, Mental Health, and/or Substance Abuse Screening & Treatment (PA 12) - Establishing and maintaining programs to conduct risk and needs assessments of juvenile offenders that facilitate effective early intervention and the provision of comprehensive services, including mental health screening and treatment, and substance abuse testing and treatment to such offenders.;
- School Safety ( PA 13) - Establishing and maintaining accountability-based programs that are designed to enhance school safety, which programs may include research-based bullying, cyberbullying, and gang prevention programs;
- Restorative Justice (PA 14) - Establishing and maintaining restorative justice programs;
- Juvenile Courts & Probation (PA 15) - Establishing and maintaining programs to enable juvenile courts and juvenile probation officers to be more effective and efficient in holding juvenile offenders accountable and reducing recidivism;
- Training Law Enforcement/Court Personnel (PA 6) - Establishing and maintaining training programs for law enforcement and other court personnel with respect to preventing and controlling juvenile crime; or
- Reentry (P17) - Establishing, improving, and coordinating pre-release and post-release systems and programs to facilitate the successful re-entry of juvenile offenders from state and local custody in the community
When applicants choose a Purpose Area there will be corresponding performance measures that will need to be reported on in the program report. The following measures are examples of some of the core performance measures for all Juvenile Accountability Block Grants Program:
- OJJDP Core Measure 1 - Number and percent of programs/initiatives employing evidence-based programs or practices;
- OJJDP Core Measure 2 - Number and percent of youth with whom an evidence-based program or practice was used; and
- OJJDP Core Measure 3 - Number of program youth and/or families served during the reporting period
Funds may be used for:
- Personnel expenses for staff providing services to youth;
- Project materials, such as curriculum, tutoring, and counseling materials;
- Mileage reimbursement in accordance with Indiana State travel guidelines;
- Training costs for staff; and
- Equipment purchases related to the program
Funds may not be used for:
- Lobbying;
- Construction or renovation costs;
- First class travel; or
- Purchasing food or beverages for conferences, meetings, and events