Juvenile Diversion and Gang Intervention Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local governments, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and 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, including 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 and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The city of Watsonville will use its FY 2009 JAG award to pay the salary and benefits of one full-time case manager in the Watsonville Police Department's Juvenile Diversion and Gang Intervention Program. The goals of this position are to help fourth to eighth graders resist gang involvement, increase young people's use of positive alternatives, and increase their skills, knowledge and confidence.

NCA/NCF