CNMI OJJDP FY 2023 Title II Formula Grants Program

Saipan, CNMI

Office of the Governor

Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA)

FY2023 OJJDP Title II  Formula Grant

PROJECT ABSTRACT
 

    Funding from the OJJDP FY 2023 Title II Formula Grants Program that will be awarded to Saipan CNMI’s Designated State Agency (DSA), the Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA) will primarily focuses toward the support toward state and local efforts to plan, establish, operate, coordinate, and evaluate policies and projects, directly or through grants and contracts with public and private agencies for the development of more effective education, training, research, prevention, diversion, treatment, and rehabilitation programs in the area of juvenile delinquency as well as juvenile justice system improvement efforts. It is to be noted that all sub-grant applications submitted by interested entities (Government, Non-government, Private, Non-profit) established in the Commonwealth (Saipan, Tinian, and Rota) go undergo a review process through CJPA and the CNMI State Advisory Group (CJPA Youth Advisory Council) before any funds are awarded to those entities.

    Title II Formula Grant funds are prioritized for the continuation of improving the CNMI juvenile justice system, compliance monitoring of the core requirements under the JJRA of 2018, and support the services delivered by delinquency prevention programs. Additionally, a portion of the funds is set aside for planning and administration purposes and for State Advisory Group (SAG) activities. Service areas, beneficiaries, and subrecipients intended to receive program funds encompass of government agencies whose operations and services touch base on areas of the CNMI juvenile justice system, including service providers and delinquency prevention programs that serve youth in school and out in the community. Title II funds awarded to the territory will be utilized to support the following: 1) Designated State Agency operations and needs. The Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA) located here in Saipan, CNMI is a pass-through entity authorized to apply for certain DOJ, BJA, OVC, and OJP federal grants such as the OJJDP Title II Formula Grant. Awarded Title II funds to the agency will be obligated to support purchasing office necessities, office equipment, other relevant items deemed relevant and essential to continue daily operations and assist the work of the assigned OJJDP Program Coordinator and support staff assisting with the Title II Formula Grant program. 2) Sub-grantees funded under OJJDP T-II. Various government and non-government entities established in the CNMI (Saipan, Tinian, and Rota) are critical units that initiate, provide, and assist with the services directly related to improving various aspects in CNMI’s juvenile justice, provide legal aid to indigent juvenile defendants, provide support services to youth growth and development, mental health improvement for at-risk youths and other relevant providers. 3) Support for Monitored Facilities and Compliance Monitoring. A critical project and that is also a determining eligibility requirement for the Title II Formula Grant is fulfilling the requirements under the compliance monitoring category. This includes having the Title II awarded recipient have in existence an effective system of monitoring, have on file an up-to-date Monitoring Universe, and submit required data and documentation on the Compliance Monitoring Tool. It would be reasonable to obligate a portion of the Title II awarded funds to support all efforts done by CJPA related to compliance monitoring, aiding monitored facilities to reach full compliance, and efforts to collect relevant compliance monitoring data.

    In general, the major obligated areas funded under the Title II Formula Grant Program for Saipan, CNMI are not limited to the those detailed above but extend to the planning and administration of grant funds which is the responsibility of the Criminal Justice Planning Agency and to the supporting of CJPA staff positions assigned to manage the OJJDP Title II Formula Grant (OJJDP Program Coordinator, Juvenile Justice Specialist, Compliance Monitor). As the major areas have been identified in this project abstract, the priorities of where the Title II funding can potentially change to program areas not mentioned in this abstract but are closely in line with the OJJDP 2023 Title II Program and Budget Areas. Factors such as funding availability, current issues and serious priorities, and advisement from CNMI’s SAG all shape and direct where much needed funding from the Title II Formula Grant will be obligated to.