FY 2010 Justice Assistance Grant Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) will use the FY 2010 JAG funds for the Ohio statewide strategic priorities and planning. The goals of the OCJS are to establish a strategic plan that will include the following priorities: identify areas of need in Ohio's criminal justice system by analyzing criminal justice topics identified in statewide surveys, focus groups, county corrections boards, re-entry task forces, domestic violence task forces, and topics emphasized in recently passed or proposed legislation and court decisions; meet areas of need in Ohio's criminal justice system by analyzing how OCJS administered grant funds addressing areas of need; support the Regional Planning Units (RPU's) which is comprised of four Ohio's major metropolitan areas. The RPU's was formed for the purpose of more adequately addressing the local needs of justice systems and developing their own strategic plan. This pilot program for 2010 involves OCJS and the RPU's working together to modify the grant review process in order to build regional programs, with OCJS providing data and technical assistance in the RPU planning process. OCJS has received a commitment from the National Criminal Justice Association to assist in the development of a statewide strategic plan that utilizes evidence-based practices and data-driven strategies. OCJS will utilize the Training and Technical Assistance program for State Administrative Agencies that provides systematic strategies for improving effectiveness of criminal justice programs. The OCJS strategy is to utilize their competitive grant selection process to focus on evidence-based programs. They will ensure the equitable distribution of these funds. These projects will assist with improving the criminal justice services within the law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and corrections agencies.

NCA/NCF