Fiscal Year 2008 JAG

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet is the State Administering Agency for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and will administer the Fiscal Year 2008 Justice Assistance Award (JAG). The Commonwealth will continue to focus on portions and/or combinations of the following priorities during the next four years: improving treatment, increasing substance abuse education and prevention, and enhancing law enforcement. Under the Fiscal Year 2008 JAG, the funding priority areas will be addressed by modifying offender behavior, reducing recidivism and prison overcrowding; interrupting inappropriate behaviors, redirecting behavior outcomes, and involving families in the process; expanding the community's knowledge of substance abuse; and enforcing a holistic approach in dealing with gangs, drugs, violence, marijuana eradication, and other related issues. These three goals will be achieved through: implementing projects that address critical needs for treatment and by expanding current ones; implementing structural changes that promote accountability between treatment providers and the justice system; expanding drug courts and other alternatives to incarceration (tailored to specific needs of communities); enhancing offender assessment and treatment for adults and juveniles of the criminal justice system; and sharing expertise and resources across disciplines. The Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet will also develop family-inclusive approaches; increase effective models to deal with juvenile treatment needs; conduct comprehensive outcome evaluations of treatment measures; increase emphasis on demand reduction; expand projects that increase awareness of underage use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and adult substance abuse; and enhance resources and strategies that include marijuana eradication. The Cabinet will utilize these funds to insure that all diverse funding sources deliver the most efficient and effective programs and policy development. The Kentucky Grants Management Branch will utilize the Administration funds to provide programmatic and financial guidance to subgrantees. This oversight will include regular on-site monitoring visits.

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