SPEAK UP Hotline Outreach and Public Education

The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office will use this award to support their SPEAK UP Hotline Outreach and Public Education Program. SPEAK UP is a national hotline for youth to anonymously report weapon-related threats in their schools and communities. The hotline empowers students with a resource to prevent community violence and is accompanied by a mass awareness campaign that creates an opportunity to combat destructive social behaviors. The goals for this project are (1) to increase awareness of the SPEAK UP Campaign in Middlesex County by implementing a comprehensive SPEAK UP Campaign in a targeted community; (2) to provide community support; and (3) to integrate SPEAK UP into programs targeting at risk youth countywide.

NCA/NCF