The Juvenile Accountability Block Grants Program (JABG) provides funds to states and units of local government to enhance their efforts to combat serious and violent juvenile crime through accountability-based reforms. Accountability in juvenile justice means assuring that, as a result of their wrongdoing, juvenile offenders face consequences that make them aware of and answerable for the loss, damage, or injury perpetrated upon the victim.
In 2003, the San Mateo County Probation Department first applied for this grant to support the VIA program in an effort to promote victim awareness and active reparation to victims. The VIA program has proven to be effective and this will be the fourth fiscal year we have applied for this grant.
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The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant funds the VIA program, which provides 10 hours of classroom facilitation over approximately eight weeks. The youth, who have been placed on probation for victimizing another, are required to complete a behavioral contact for their commitment to change. They are then exposed to presentations by probation officers, therapist from community based organizations and victims of crime, to facilitate discussion on the impact of one’s behavior on others. The youth are also referred to the Victim Offender Mediation Program to provide them an opportunity to engage in restorative justice with their victims.
The Chief Probation Officer submitted an application for JABG funding to meet a May 15 deadline. To receive the funding, we are requesting that the Chief Probation Officer of his designee be authorized to sign the grant agreement and necessary amendments. The grant requires that the County of San Mateo authorize matching funds in the amount of $5,091, and commit that the County will comply with the statutes and regulations of the JABG Program. Those match portion has been included in the Probation Department’s FY 2006-07 Recommended Budget. The continued Federal funding provided by the JABG Program will cover the cost of collaboration with community-based organizations. The grant proposal was submitted to an advisory board for their review. (Advisory Board members: Mark Raffaelli, James Gilletti, Eddie Thomas, Sue Larramendy, Kimberly Wheeler, Margaret Copenhagen, Bob Rybicki, Christine McGlyn, David Chermiss.)
County Counsel has reviewed the resolution and approved as to form.
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The County is required to provide matching funds of $5,091 in addition to the $45,172 provided from Federal funds. A majority of the matching funds is used to support an existing Legal Office Specialist who works directly on projects associated with this grant. Matching funds are included in the Probation budget and do not require an additional contribution from the General Fund.
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