San Francisco Back on Track Infrastructure and Replication Project

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The San Francisco District Attorney's Office will use Fiscal Year 2009 Congressional funds to enhance and expand their Back on Track (BOT) program. BOT is a model reentry program for first-time nonviolent drug offenders ' a unique public-private partnership that demonstrates the economic and social efficacy of offering job training and employment to young adult drug sellers facing a felony conviction and incarceration. The program leverages the carrots and sticks of the criminal justice system with advocacy and direct service to simultaneously improve public safety and economic opportunity.

This project will enable BOT to achieve three key priorities in the next two years: (1) maintain and strengthen program infrastructure; (2) validate BOT's success via independent evaluation; and (3) replicate BOT in other jurisdictions. The primary target population of BOT is first-time, low-level narcotics sellers ages 18 to who are arrested in San Francisco. The secondary target population of the proposed project is prosecutors and community providers in other jurisdictions who are interested in replicating BOT.

The funds will also enable BOT partners to reduce caseloads to align with best practices, establish a literacy skills component, conduct strategic planning and program development, create multimedia program and replication materials and engage other jurisdictions to replicate this model program.

NCA/NCF