Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Councils

During the 1998 session of Kentucky’s General Assembly, the Department of Juvenile Justice was granted the authorization to establish local juvenile delinquency prevention councils and was provided state funds to support local delinquency prevention programs and services. Based on an assessment of juvenile crime in Kentucky, KY DJJ formed the following juvenile delinquency prevention councils: Daviess/Henderson, Boone/Kenton/Campbell, Jefferson, Warren, McCracken, Fayette, Hardin and Hopkins.  The eleven counties covered by these councils accounted for 76% of all juvenile arrests in Kentucky in 1995. State general funds are distributed to local public and private agencies in these counties based on a competitive grant process known as the Community Juvenile Justice Partnership Grant (CJJPG) Program.

All KY DJJ juvenile delinquency prevention council members are appointed by the Commissioner of KY DJJ.  Initial appointments are for staggered terms of two, three or four years.  Future members serve for a term determined by the KY DJJ Commissioner.

Councils must include representatives of the following agencies: the sheriff’s department, police department, school system (administrators, teachers, counselors and parents), Department for Community Based Services, Court of Justice (district court judge, circuit court judge, public defender and family court judge), Commonwealth’s attorney, county attorney, local juvenile detention facility and the Department of Public Advocacy.  Agency heads may appoint designees.

Delinquency Prevention Plans -- Each council must develop a three-year local juvenile justice plan based on a needs assessment of the community.  The plan must identify existing community resources, gaps in resources and plans to coordinate existing resources to address identified needs and gaps in services.   The prevention council must then work with local agencies to address these issues and encourage information sharing.

Grant Awards -- Each council is allotted a portion of the Community Juvenile Justice Partnership Grant (CJJPG) funds to support new delinquency prevention programs and services in their communities.  Councils issue applications to local public and private agencies.  Council members review submitted proposals and make funding recommendations to KY DJJ.  Funding recommendations are reviewed by KY DJJ staff and Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee (JJAC) members.     Grants are awarded for twelve months.  Applicants must reapply for funding each year.  Funding for subsequent years is contingent upon the program/service meeting the goals identified in the proposal.  The maximum length for which funds may be awarded for a program or service is 36 months. Councils may elect to have a designated city or county government, KY DJJ or another public non-profit agency administer the grant.  KY DJJ monitors and audits projects supported by CJJPG funds.