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| Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Formula Grant (JAG)
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 JAG Recovery Funds
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act there are three JAG funding sources. One direct local distribution list is administered directly by BJA for jurisdictions who BJA determined to be eligible for over $10,000. The second distribution, the state local distribution, is administered by Commerce for jurisdictions receiving under $10,000. Here is a contact list for jurisdictions reciving under $10,000. The third source will be distributed to multijurisdictional narcotics task forces by the state formula.
Jurisdictions that are included in the under $10,000 distribution list (determined by BJA) will receive notice to apply by Association of Washington Cities or the Washington State Association of Counties. They are required to have the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of an eligible unit of local government or agency or a CEO designee respond to the application from Commerce. A unit of local government receiving an award will be responsible for the administration of the funds including: fund distribution; award monitoring; reporting on performance measures and assessment data; evidence of ongoing oversight and assistance to sub recipients. A unit of local government may use up to ten percent of the award for costs associated with administering JAG funds.
Jurisdictions that are included in the over $10,000 distribution list (determined BJA) also have specific responsibilities. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of an eligible unit of local government or agency or a CEO designee must submit the application. A unit of local government receiving an award will be responsible for the administration of the funds including: fund distribution; award monitoring; reporting on performance measures and assessment data; evidence of ongoing oversight and assistance to sub recipients. A unit of local government may use up to ten percent of the award for costs associated with administering JAG funds.
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:
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Law enforcement programs
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Prosecution and court programs
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Prevention and Education programs
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Corrections and community corrections programs
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Drug Treatment programs
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Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs
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Crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation)
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), Commerce. Units of Local Government should contact the SAA, the Department of Commerce 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, Commerce 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.
Related Publications/Information
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Federal FY 2008 JAG Application to USDOJ/Bureau of Justice Assistance (PDF)
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Federal FY 2008JAG Annual Report to USDOJ/Bureau of Justice Assistance (PDF)
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JAG Local Distribution Program - FY 2008 Variable Pass-Through (PDF)
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Concept Proposal Submission Form to the JAG Grant Committee (HTML)
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FY 2008 Byrne Grant Program - All State Allocations (PDF)
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FY 2007 Byrne Grant Program - All State Allocations (PDF)
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FY 2007 Byrne Grant Program Variable Passthrough Percentages (PDF)
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Byrne Formula Grant Program Guidance (PDF)
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