FY 2023 Ohio Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Funding

Goals – The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant (JAG) Request for Proposal, establishes that Ohio has the following priority goals:

Identified areas of need in Ohio’s criminal justice system – Analyzed criminal justice topics identified in statewide interviews, surveys, focus groups, county corrections boards, reentry task forces, domestic violence task forces, and topics emphasized in recently passed or proposed legislation and court decisions.

Meet areas of need in Ohio’s criminal justice system – OCJS will continue to look at how OCJS administers grant programs that address areas of need as well as look at JAG’s specific role in meeting those needs. This may be influenced by the types of programs funded through JAG and the expectations for projects selected for funding. OCJS utilized input from local and state stakeholders on what the strategy ultimately comprises.

Regional Planning Units (RPUs) – Ohio’s major metropolitan areas have organized to form RPUs for the purpose of more adequately addressing the local needs of their justice systems and developing their own strategic plan. The RPUs will be responsible for selection of the planning group members and will employ a community engagement model. These regions will build on an extensive array of planning bodies already in existence. This program involves OCJS and the RPUs working together in the grant review process to fund regional programs, which meet the needs of the respective areas. Members of the RPUs attended the OCJS strategic planning conference and provided input that will be taken into consideration while finalizing the strategic plan.

Strategy – OCJS intends to utilize our current competitive grant selection process, with an emphasis on evidence- based programs, in respect to the JAG funds. OCJS will ensure the equitable distribution of these funds.

Identifiers – The top ten project identifiers associated with OCJS’s proposed project activities are: Community Based Programs, Corrections, Crime Prevention, Data Sharing/Linkage, Drug Courts, Equipment - General, Hiring of Personnel, Prosecution, Reentry and Victimization.

The identifiers are built into OCJS’s existing funding categories: Law Enforcement; Crime Prevention; Adult and Juvenile Corrections, Community Corrections and Reentry; Courts, Defense, Prosecution and Victim Services; Cross-agency and Cross-system Collaboration and Training and Research. These identifiers also are being used to develop a strategic plan that incorporates evidence-based programs and practices.