Spalding County Recovery Act Justice Assistance Grant 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.

Spalding County will use its Recovery Act JAG award to support the Victim Service Unit at the Spalding County Sheriff's Department. The Victim Service Unit will enhance direct services to innocent victims, witnesses, and survivors of violent crime and traumatic events by offering a "Jobs For Life Program" and expanding community outreach and prevention efforts. The goal is to offer highly interactive classes, small group discussions, role play activities, and community education efforts to help victims to become 'work ready.' The Victim Service Unit will increase their staff, provide employment training curriculum, and purchase computer equipment to assist victims in understanding in the job market, and help them to begin building skills necessary to secure employment while their beginning a process of healing and recovery.

NCA/NCF