Recovery Act Byrne JAG TTA for SAAs

The National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) has been awarded a grant by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to provide Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Program to State Administrative Agencies (SAAs).  The Recovery Act Byrne JAG Program provides significant new resources and a unique opportunity to jump-start long-needed systemic strategies for improving the administration of justice across all states and territories. 

The Recovery Act also places new responsibilities on the SAAs.  In addition to the regular requirements of the Byrne JAG program, it is imperative that these funds be allocated expeditiously, tracked and reported separately from other federal and state funding streams, and used primarily to retain and create jobs.  The Recovery Act guidance for the award of Byrne JAG funds strongly encourages states to use statewide strategic plans and requires compliance not only with the regular Byrne JAG accountability reporting requirements but also the government-wide requirements imposed by the Recovery Act.

To accomplish its mission and improve the effectiveness of criminal justice programs across the country, the NCJA will partner with BJA and work collaboratively with SAAs to provide on-site training and technical assistance, webinars, semi-annual conferences, and create and disseminate publications to assist SAAs in developing their statewide plans and ensure proper use of Byrne JAG funds. The NCJA will also assist the SAAs (and the NCJA broader membership of state, local, and tribal criminal justice and public safety practitioners) in the use of evidence-based practices, and data-driven strategies.  As a product of this initiative, NCJA will develop a case study to include lessons learned and promising practices.

Through this initiative, the NCJA will achieve the following seven objectives in collaboration with the BJA:
1) Preserve and create jobs.
2) Establish business processes to facilitate and manage the delivery of TTA to SAAs: 
3) Deliver on-site TTA to SAAs for enhanced statewide planning and program development.
4) Conduct a series of webinars for SAAs and their staff.
5) Conduct semi-annual conferences to increase the SAAs’ ability to solve problems and implement policies.
6) Disseminate resource materials.
7) Publish a “Case Study on the Effects of Statewide Planning in the use of Byrne JAG Funds: Lessons Learned and Promising Practices.”

REQUEST TTA IN YOUR STATE

We at NCJA are excited to begin our work on this important project.  Please contact NCJA Deputy Executive Director Kay Chopard Cohen or Sr. Staff Associate Tammy Woodhams if you have any questions regarding this initiative or are interested in receiving TTA in your jurisdiction.