Washington FY 2008 JAG Program

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 Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development, in collaboration with the Governor's Council, will utilize its Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 JAG award to: 1) establish multi-jurisdictional narcotics task forces; 2) support a multi-disciplinary policy advisory coordination effort established by the Governor's Council on Substance Abuse; 3) conduct an evaluation; and 4) pay for administration expenses. The multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force program is the core of the state's drug enforcement program, and additionally serves to provide a stable environment in which drug and gang intervention and prevention programs may productively work. The Governor's Council on Substance Abuse is a multi-disciplinary policy advisory group aimed at coordinating efforts to address the reduction and mitigation of substance abuse and associated problems. Active membership includes all state agencies involved in these issues, representatives from local governments, and the acknowledged leaders of every related discipline. Evaluation activities will shift to report review and analysis, on-site monitoring, and technical assistance. The biennial on-site monitoring rate for task forces is also being increased from 66 percent to 100 percent. The administration aspect of their FY 2008 JAG award will focus on the management of the current and prior active JAG sub-awards.

NCA/NCF