Problem Solving Courts Administration Project

The Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program (Byrne Competitive Program) will help communities improve the capacity of state and local justice systems and provide for national support efforts including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address local needs. This competitive grant announcement focuses on initiatives in eight areas: 1) preventing and reducing violent crime through community-based data-driven approaches; 2) providing funding for neighborhood-based probation and parole officers; 3) reducing mortgage fraud and crime related to vacant properties; 4) hiring of civilian support personnel in law enforcement (training staff, analysts, dispatchers, etc.); 5) enhancing forensic and crime scene investigations; 6) improving resources and services for victims of crime; 7) supporting problem-solving courts; and 8) national training and technical assistance partnerships.

Under category 7, Madison County will use the grant award to expand its Unified Courts comprised of the drug court, mental health court, and reentry court. Using these funds, the county will increase the capacity of all the problem-solving courts and bring them under one "umbrella" administration to reduce conflicts, gaps, and inconsistencies in existing services that might otherwise go unrecognized. Major deliverables under this project include: 1) efficient, comprehensive, and cost-effective program administration; 2) flexible case management and court-specific probation supervision; 3) a comprehensive plan for the development and implementation of a youth court; and 4) evidenced-based, problem-solving program design through technical assistance.

CA/NCF