The Juvenile Accountability Block Grants (JABG) program is administered by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The JABG program provides block grants to states that have submitted applications that describe specific plans for using the state-held portion of JABG funds to include purpose areas and activities, outline criteria for measuring the effectiveness of funded activities through OJJDP-approved JABG performance measurements, and document efforts to implement a system of graduated sanctions that reflects the new JABG program. Local and tribal governments can apply to the states for JABG funds to support local accountability programs in any of the 16 JABG program purpose areas. Tribes may also compete for additional JABG funding via a competitive process currently being developed by the OJJDP Tribal Youth Program Manager.

The goal of the JABG program is to reduce juvenile offending through accountability-based programs focused on both the offender and the juvenile justice system. The objective is to ensure that states are addressing 1 or more of the 17 purposes areas and receiving information on best practices from OJJDP.

The basic premise underlying the JABG program is that both the individual juvenile offender and the juvenile justice system must be accountable. In implementing the program, OJJDP seeks to reduce juvenile offending through both offender-focused and system-focused activities that promote accountability.

Accountability means that each offender is assured of facing individualized consequences through which he or she is made aware of and held responsible for the loss, damage, or injury perpetrated on the victim. Such accountability is best achieved through a system of graduated sanctions that are imposed according to the nature and severity of the offense, moving from limited interventions to more restrictive actions if the offender continues delinquent activities.

Accountability involves a new set of expectations and demands for the juvenile justice system. The system will need to increase its 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 sanctions.

FAQs

Answers to 20 frequently asked questions about JABG.

Legislation

JABG authorizing legislation and a summary of annual appropriations.

Purpose Areas

A list of the 17 JABG program purpose areas that states and localities may address.

OJJDP Home | About OJJDP | E-News | Topics | Funding | Programs
State Contacts | Publications | Statistics | Events