The Governor’s Division for Children has been designated to administer the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG) program in Arizona, as funded and administered nationally by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).  The JABG (formerly JAIBG) program provides essential funds to local units of government and statewide agencies to facilitate improvements to the juvenile justice system and to ensure increased accountability for juvenile offenders. 

JABG is an entitlement/block grant (based on a formula) that is awarded to states which are, in turn, required to pass through a minimum of 75 percent of funding to eligible units of local government (counties, townships, towns or political subdivision or recognized governing body of an Indian Tribe). Eligible units of local government are notified of the availability of funds, their individual allocations and the requirements of the JABG program each funding year.  Each local unit of government is required to submit an intent form to receive their funds.

Throughout Arizona, JABG funds have supported successful local programs including:  community service and restitution programming, juvenile court services and safe schools programs as well as technology enhancements and information-sharing projects.  Local entitlement funds passed through to local units of government give communities the opportunity to assess emerging needs in their community regarding the population of juvenile offenders.  Through a structured, local decision-making process, community stakeholders determine how to direct these funds to best serve the interests of both the juveniles and community members at large.  The JABG program has fostered public and private partnerships within local units of government, as well as collaborations between neighboring cities, towns, counties, and tribal entities throughout Arizona.

Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Fact Sheet