Reversing the Federal Divestment of Effective Juvenile Justice Programs

 

 
The Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) is alarmed to report that federal juvenile justice funding will once again be dramatically reduced if Congress adopts the FY 2012 funding proposal put forth by the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS).  [Click on chart above for larger image. Chart courtesy of Reclaiming Futures, based on data provided by CJJ. -Ed.]

 
Programs authorized under the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) and the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program (JABG) spur innovation and excellence in juvenile justice at the state and local levels and provide safeguards for children and youth involved with the justice system. Historically, appropriations for these programs have been modest, at an average of less than $225 million per fiscal year. 
 
For more than 35 years, states have leveraged these programs and proven in small and big ways that federal juvenile justice programs reduce juvenile offending, help youth transition safely to adulthood and save taxpayer money. Examples of these measurable results can be found in a Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) fact bulletin titled Safeguarding the Future: Strategic Investments to Secure the Safety of America’s Youth, Families and Communities.  
 
Yet, despite clear evidence that federal funding to states is effective at preventing and reducing delinquency, Congress continues to signal an abandonment of its commitment to community safety by making drastic cuts to federal juvenile justice programs. Since FY 2002, federal investments in programs to prevent and reduce delinquency have decreased by 50%.  The FY 2011 budget bill cut federal juvenile justice programs by an additional 17%; in real terms more than half of the states are suffering reductions as high as 32%. The FY 2012 House proposal would further reduce the JJDPA Title II progras by more than $20 million and would completely eliminate funding for the JJDPA Title V and the JABG programs. The effect would be an additional 50% to federal juvenile justice programs, and bring the total reduction over the last decade to 75%. See CJJ’s Historical Juvenile Justice Federal Funding Chart.

 
State and local jurisdictions are not in a position to replace federal funds; as a result important gains will be lost. When recently surveyed, nearly 90% of 35 states reported that fewer youth and families are receiving critical services designed to keep youth from offending, re-offending and penetrating deeper into the justice system, due to federal funding cuts.
 
Federal funds to support state and local juvenile justice efforts protect the public’s safety and must be considered essential investments, even in times of budget cutting. In view of current and future budgets, it is imperative that members of Congress reverse their abandonment of community safety, reaffirm their critical roles in safeguarding our nation’s communities, youth and families and restore and federal funding for states and localities aimed at preventing delinquency and making juvenile justice systems more effective.
 
Related Posts: (Shrinking) Federal Investments in Juvenile Justice Make a Difference -- and How You Can Help
 
 
About the Authors

Nancy Gannon Hornberger (on the left) serves as Executive Director of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ). Tara Andrews (on the right) is the Deputy Executive Director, Policy and Programs, for CJJ. 
The Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) is a nationwide coalition of State Advisory Groups (SAGs) and allies dedicated to preventing children and youth from becoming involved in the courts and upholding the highest standards of care when youth are charged with wrongdoing and enter the justice system.