Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program
Byrne - Justice Assistance Grant Strategic Plan
The 2023-2027 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Strategic Plan has been finalized. Click here to read the final Strategic Plan.
The Strategic Plan was developed through a collaborative and transparent process to guide Washington JAG investments over the next five years. After review and feedback from the Byrne-JAG Advisory Committee, the Department of Commerce solicited comments on the draft JAG Strategic Plan between May 16 and June 20, 2023. The draft Plan was posted on the Commerce website. Notices of the public comment period were emailed (twice) to the Public Safety mailing list and to Advisory Committee members with a request they share the link with their networks.
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) is a primary source of federal funding to state and local jurisdictions supporting a range of criminal legal system improvement and community advancement programs. JAG funds are intended to assist states, tribes and local jurisdictions in leveraging additional dollars from other funding sources to support and maximize statewide efforts.
The Department of Justice requires states to prepare a comprehensive strategic plan to guide overall JAG program implementation. The plan spans five years and is reviewed/updated on a biennial basis. This Strategic Plan will cover 2023-2027. Development of this Strategic Plan was guided by a subcommittee of JAG Advisory Committee members.
In upcoming years, Washington’s JAG funds will be directed to state and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, Tribes, consultants and researchers to contribute to a variety of programs and practices in furtherance of criminal legal system improvement and community safety.
Overview
The JAG program is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is the State Administering Agency for Washington’s allocation of the funds.
To ensure that each state and territory receives an appropriate share of JAG funds, allocation to state and local governments is based on a formula using population and crime statistics in combination with a minimum allocation. Funds are split 60/40 between state and local recipients within states.
Washington Priorities and Process
The JAG Program provides states, tribes, and local governments with funding to support a range of criminal legal system improvement programs and initiatives. JAG funds can be used for allowable state and local initiatives, technical assistance training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems. A full list of program purpose areas can be found at the JAG Program Fact Sheet.
The state’s JAG application to the federal government is finalized following the release of these Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) application instructions. Following federal requirements, the draft application is provided for legislative and public review. The link to the grant application narratives can be found under Resources.
As Washington’s community safety needs evolve, Commerce periodically assesses how the distribution of JAG grant funding should be prioritized within the federal guidelines and purpose areas. This is done with the assistance of an Advisory Committee made up of members who represent a broad range of state, local and provide sector expertise in the criminal justice, social services and public health systems. To receive notice of advisory committee meetings, funding opportunities, and public comment periods please sign up for our Community Safety mailing list.
Civil Rights, Discrimination and Federal Grant Programs
Any Washington program or activity supported by DOJ funds is subject to compliance with federal civil rights discrimination laws. Any client, customer, program participant or employee of an organization that receives funding passed through the Washington State Department of Commerce by the federal DOJ and other federal grant programs has the right to file a discrimination complaint. Any individual who feels that they have been discriminated against may file an external complaint. Applicable civil rights compliance policies and procedures and a civil rights complaint form can be accessed via the links below.
Civil rights complaints may be filed directly with the Department of Justice Office for Civil Rights, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Washington State Human Rights Commission reported to the Commerce Human Resources Managing Director by filling out the discrimination complaint form. Complaints will be forwarded to the Department of Justice Office for Civil Rights.
JAG Announcements
- WA JAG Priority Area Apparent Successful Applicants (PDF)
- WA JAG Innovation Fund Overview (PDF)
- The National Policing Institute, Assessment of WA Byrne JAG Supported Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force Program (PDF) report is now available.
- Slides from the Briefing on the Findings and Recommendations in Assessment of WA Byrne JAG Supported Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force Program (PDF)
FFY 23 JAG Application Submitted to Dept. of Justice
Each year Commerce submits an application for Washington’s allocation of Byrne-JAG funds to DOJ. Click here to read the FFY23 Washington JAG Proposal Application Narrative (PDF).
Upcoming Events
Past Events
- April 9, 2024 JAG Advisory Committee Materials (PDF)
- January 31, 2024 JAG Advisory Committee Materials (PDF)
- August 1, 2023 JAG Advisory Committee Materials (PDF)
- May 16, 2023 JAG Advisory Committee Materials (PDF)
- June 28, 2022 JAG Advisory Committee Materials (PDF)
- May 19, 2022 JAG Advisory Committee Materials (PDF)
- September 7, 2022 JAG Advisory Committee Materials (PDF)
Resources
- JAG Program Fact Sheet
- JAG Frequently Asked Questions (information on statutory and application requirements, prohibited expenditures, required certifications, reporting requirements, etc.)
- JAG Program Authorization: Title I of Public Law No. 90-351 (generally codified at 34 U.S.C. 10151-10726), including subpart 1 of part E (codified at 34 U.S.C. 10151-10158); see also 28 U.S.C. 530C (a).
- Bureau of Justice Assistance
- Byrne JAG Program FY 21 Proposal Narrative
- Byrne JAG Program FY 22 Proposal Narrative
Email Updates
JAG Committee Members
- Russ Brown, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys
- Peter Browning, Commissioner, Skagit County
- Linda Coburn, Judge, Washington State Court of Appeals, Division 1
- Alice Coil, Office of Juvenile Justice, Dept. of Children, Youth, & Families
- Laurie A. Drapela, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, WSU – Vancouver
- Dwayne Ford, Intelligence Research Specialist/Law Enforcement Coordinator. U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of WA
- Christie Hedman, Executive Director, WA Defender Association
- Rick Johnson, Chief of Police, City of East Wenatchee
- Mike Lasnier, Chief of Police, Suquamish Tribal Police
- Mac Pevey, Asst. Secretary, Community Corrections Division, WA Dept. of Corrections
- Barbara Serrano, Senior Policy Advisory for Public Safety, Office of the Governor
- Stanley Phillips, Senior Victim Advocate, Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
- Steven Strachan, Executive Director, WA Assoc. of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs
- Roger Wilbur, Captain, Investigative Assistance Division, WA State Patrol
- Steve Woolworth, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Evergreen Treatment Services
Program contact
Portfolio Manager
Aaron Edenshaw
Email: aaron.edenshaw@commerce.wa.gov