FY 2009 Justice Assistance Grant 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).

Whatcom County will use its Fiscal Year 2009 JAG award to support community-based programs. Funds will be used to cover personnel costs of a Drug Court Coordinator for the Whatcom County Adult Drug Court. The county's goals are to reduce recidivism of chemical dependency and maintain enrollment of participants as well as implement and coordinate multi-unit drug court services. Local JAG funds will assist Whatcom County stabilize the local budget in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services.

NCA/NCF