NACM Excellence IV

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program, administered by the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP's) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), furthers the Department's mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in improving the criminal justice system and assisting communities in preventing drug abuse and crime. In fiscal year 2007, the Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program will focus on funding local, regional, and national efforts within six major categories: 1) targeting violent crime; 2) preventing crime and drug abuse; 3) enhancing local law enforcement; 4) enhancing local courts; 5) enhancing local corrections and offender reentry; and 6) facilitating justice information sharing. All categories combat, address, or otherwise respond to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime.

The National Association for Court Management (NACM) will build on three previous BJA funded projects. NACM's primary goal is to improve or enhance the administration and operations of the court function in local justice systems. Key priorities include improving the effectiveness of training for judicial officers and court managers, improving efforts to automate, and increasing the number of problem solving courts. NACM will coordinate with states, local courts, and other national organizations.

To achieve their goal, NACM will: 1)provide Core Competency Curriculum Guidelines through training and technical assistance; 2) conduct mid-year and annual national conferences; 3) educate court officials on court technology and services through the Forum on the Advancement of Court Technology (FACT); and 4) build intellectual capital through the distribution of cutting edge ideas.

CA/NCF