Enhancing Adjudication, Sexual Assault Advocate and Police Visibility Overtime

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 City of Cincinnati was selected as the fiscal agent for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 JAG award. The City and Hamilton County will receive equal shares of the award amount. The Cincinnati Police Department will use funds to continue funding a sexual assault advocate position for the Women Helping Women Project. The advocate serves as a liaison between the victim, police, and court system, and provides face-to-face support to victims during police interviews and provides access to needed counseling and follow up services. In addition, funds will be used for overtime for officers in the patrol bureau to provide increased police visibility throughout the city and participate in special events. Hamilton County will use funds to support its Enhancing Adjudication Project. This project includes strategic, multidisciplinary planning and service delivery for offender assessments, treatment services for defendants in drug court, and services for female offenders with co-occurring disorders of chemical dependence and mental illness.

NCA/NCF