2023 Oregon Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program

The mission of the State of Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (“CJC”) is to improve the legitimacy, efficiency, and effectiveness of state and local criminal justice systems. The CJC serves as the primary coordinating body for the acceptance, planning and distribution of federal criminal justice funds leveraged to address the needs of the state criminal justice system. As the State Administering Agency (SAA), the CJC is directly awarded federal grants and is responsible for the allocation of resources statewide. Further, the CJC serves as the primary coordinating body for state public safety issue identification, system collaboration, policy development, and system planning and implementation. This responsibility requires the CJC to work closely with public safety associations including prosecution, defense, law enforcement, court systems, the Department of Corrections (“DOC”), and victims’ services.
 

DRUG TREATMENT AND ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS 

Specialty courts target non-violent felony offenders with substance-use disorders in an integrated, systematic approach found to reduce drug use and recidivism while increasing public safety, and often provide family reunification.  The opioid epidemic and other illicit drug dependence has demanded an increased need for specialty courts to address the root causes of criminal activity and substance-use disorders through an alternative to incarceration that helps to reduce recidivism and increase public safety. 

MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM 

Untreated or undertreated mental illness drives a disproportionate number of people into the criminal justice system.  Often mental health courts can provide a diversion strategy for offenders with mental illness to prevent unnecessary incarceration and recurring arrests through appropriate community-based treatment and supervision.  These community-based intervention programs offer the opportunity for medium- to high-risk individuals to be identified and enter into specialized treatment services. 

OREGON INNOVATION AND INTERVENTION FUND

Oregon Innovation and Intervention Fund (OIIF) is a process the CJC will us to identify innovative programs and points of immediate need of the Oregon public safety system. This process includes working with the Governor’s office, our public Commission, and community and public safety stakeholders. These funds will be used to address any innovative project, or crisis intervention efforts that may arise during the JAG-23 project period.