Juvenile Justice:
Title V
This is the common reference to the program entitled "Incentive Grants for Local Delinquency Programs." Title V, which was designed to support new prevention and intervention programs in localities, is the only OJJDP program fully dedicated to prevention. After a set-aside for State administrative funds, the full balance is awarded to localities through a competitive process.
Purpose
Title V utilizes a research-based framework that focuses on reducing risks and enhancing protective factors. This paradigm requires community leaders to form and mobilize community coalitions, and conduct multi-disciplinary assessments of their own risk factors and resources in order to develop a collaborative delinquency prevention strategy that increases protective factors.
Example of risk factors to be considered are:
- negative individual characteristics
- negative family characteristics
- poor school experiences
- negative peer influences
- negative community characteristics
Some protective factors include:
- positive individual characteristics
- positive bonding with family and community
- clear and consistent standards for behavior
Priority Areas
As noted above, each locality determines its own priority area(s) based on the analysis of risk and protective factors.
Process
Title V funds are awarded via a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. A locality is defined as a unit of local government; however, a county cannot be considered a unit of local government for purposes of this program. Open RFP's are issued when DCJS has determined that there are more funds available than necessary to refund existing Title V programs. As with the Formula Grant program, DCJS reviews applications prior to review by the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group (JJAG).
Grantees must provide match in the amount of 50% of the federal amount awarded. Refunding is possible for up to two additional years.
As part of the application process, localities must designate and mobilize community coalitions known as Prevention Policy Boards (PPB). The PPB must meet specific requirements and responsibilities as set forth in the RFP. One of these is a long-term delinquency prevention plan that becomes part of the application.
In consultation with the Commissioner of DCJS, the JJAG will select programs for funding and determine the funding to be disbursed for each project within the available appropriation. Final funding decisions will be made in accordance with the best interests of the State.