Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2010, $450,000)
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 Independent Development Enterprise Alliance will use the grant funds to support Project Clean Slate (PCS). PCS assists project participants by removing minor criminal convictions and converting all or part of past due court fines and traffic fines to community service work. Offenders guilty of minor offenses are often not able to access educational opportunities, visit with their children, obtain a drivers license, qualify for public housing, or obtain a tax-paying position of employment. PCS works with the District Attorney, Chamber of Commerce, Public Defender, Circuit Court, Oregon Attorney General, County Board of Commissioners, DMV, Urban League, and many other agencies and organizations to assist people with a minor criminal record to expunge the offenses from their record and start on a better life. The grant funds will be used to pay the salaries and benefits for project staff, grants training, two computers, rent, utilities, and a program evaluation.
NCA/NCF