Technology Improvements and Substance Abuse Education, Prevention, and Treatment Program

This grant program is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) (the 'Recovery Act') and by 42 U.S.C. 3751(a). The stated purposes of the Recovery Act are: to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery; to assist those most impacted by the recession; to provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; to invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits; and to stabilize state and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases. The Recovery Act places great emphasis on accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayer dollars.

Among other things, it creates a new Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board and a new website ' Recovery.gov ' to provide information to the public, including access to detailed information on grants and contracts made with Recovery Act funds.

The Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funded under the Recovery Act is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Recovery JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. Recovery JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.

Amador County will use its Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG funds to purchase the necessary technology to upgrade the data communication line between the county probation and information technology departments. A one-time upgrade to the case management system (CMS) for the probation department will give all municipalities, along with the district attorney, the school district, and some other county and state agencies the ability to view this CMS. This will provide real-time information regarding grants of probation, conditions, and contacts with probationers that first responders have never had access to in prior years. Funds will also be used for a substance abuse counselor to provide an evidence-based curriculum for juveniles who are either ordered by the court, school administration, or their parent(s) to attend a substance abuse education, prevention, and treatment program.

NCA/NCF