Virginia's Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Initiative

The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program (JABG) Program is authorized under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 3796ee). The goal of the JABG program is to reduce juvenile offending through accountability-based programs focused on both the juvenile offender and the juvenile justice system. The objective is to ensure that States and Territories are addressing the specified purpose areas and receiving information on best practices from OJJDP. JABG funds are allocated to States and Territories based on each State's relative population of youth under the age of 18. The underlying premise of juvenile accountability programming is that young people who violate the law should be held accountable for their actions through the swift, consistent application of graduated sanctions that are proportionate to the offenses, both as a matter of basic justice and as a way to combat juvenile delinquency and improve the quality of life in the nation's communities.

The State of Virginia will pass through the required 75% of the JABG award to eligible units of local government. Local units of government who are not eligible for JABG allocations are encouraged to partner with neighboring units of local government to meet the eligibility threshold. This allows funding to reach rural areas to implement programs and initiatives that focus on accountability for both offenders and the juvenile justice system. Eligible units of local government are given the flexibility to identify one or more of the 17 JABG purpose areas that meet the needs of their locality, identified by the individual Coordinated Enforcement Plans. The priority areas identified by Virginia's Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice help govern the use of remaining JABG funds. They include: reducing disproportionality among minority youth; diverting juveniles from detention and providing alternative placements; increasing family and community involvement; and ensuring youth are afforded due process of the law. Activities will be implemented according to the selected purpose area(s). To ensure that identified goals and objectives are achieved the Grant Monitor will monitor progress through monitoring tools to include site visits, quarterly progress reports and performance measures reports.

NCA/NCF