Play by the Rules National 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.

Play By the Rules (PBR) is a program designed to teach jurisdiction-specific law to middle school students. Currently, the program is used in Alabama, Connecticut, Guam, Nevada, and Texas. The Alabama Center for Law & Civic Education will use their Congressionally Selected funds to enlarge the PBR program by developing additional curriculum materials, providing additional advanced training, developing a monitoring program to ensure program fidelity, and developing outreach materials. PBR is based on the principle that every child deserves to grow up in a safe environment with a chance to become a productive, law abiding citizen. However, juvenile delinquency is a prevalent threat to children and communities. Holding kids accountable to the law without teaching them the law is not working. Kids can't play the game if they don't know the rules. The project will address this problem.

NCA/NCF