Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awards grants for use by states and units of local government to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system—with emphasis on violent crime and serious offenders – and to enforce state and local laws that establish offenses similar to those in the federal Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(6) et seq.).

 

The Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is a partnership among federal, state and local governments to create safer communities. The JAG was created in 2004 by Congress to streamline justice funding and grant administration. JAG allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. JAG blends the remenants of the previous Byrne Formula  grant and the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) programs to provide agencies with the flexibility to prioritize and place justice funds where they are needed most.

  

Federal Recovery Funds and JAG

We will post information here on JAG recovery funds as information becomes availible for Washington. The Bureau of Justice has nationwide JAG recovery information on their site.

 

JAG Uses

Grants may be used to provide personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems for more widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of offenders who violate such state and local laws. Grants also may be used to provide assistance (other than compensation) to victims of these offenders.

Congressionally authorized Byrne purposes areas may still be considered for funding. JAG Formula Grant Program has six Purpose Areas consisting of:

Current Practices

The JAG Advisory Committee report, Criminal Justice in Washington State, was published in November 2004 and provides a full description of the operation of Washington’s criminal justice system to provide a foundation for future planning to assess criminal justice system needs and to develop recommendations for public policy action to reduce the impact of drug and violent crime.

Legislation

The Edward Byrne Memorial Formula Grant Program was created by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-690) and was renamed as the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in 2004 by the Congress.

 

Funding

Federal FY 2008 funding for the current program year is $5,795,509. From this allocation, projects are funded statewide that fit within the scope and policies of the Department of Justice. Previous federal FY 2007 JAG Grant funding for Washington State was $6,680,598.

Eligibility

Availability of funding for projects is determined by the JAG Advisory Committee each year grant funds are received from the federal authority. To apply for formula grant funds, projects must be submitted through the committee and be subsequently approved by the State Legislature each year.

 

Local jurisdictions may apply directly to the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Direct Local Distribution Program  for JAG funding; however, local jurisdictions who are awarded BJA (DIRECT) Local Distribution funds by BJA, may not apply for Local Distribution funds awarded from the state’s pass-through funds in Washington state by the State Administering Agency (SAA), CTED. Units of Local Government should contact the SAA, the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) to obtain program information.

How/When To Apply

Immediately after enactment of the state’s appropriations (usually in the first quarter of the calendar year), the SAA advertises for applications for funding. This is followed by correspondence that includes an application kit and informs them of their allocation for the state program fiscal year. In general, CTED will make the award within 60 days of receipt of the application.  The most recent Concept Solicitation is available for funding consideration. Please contact Lori Salzer at (360) 725-3026.