Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program

Note: The JAG Program has not yet received Congressional approval, but it is in the President's FY 2005 

proposed budget.

Introduction 

We at the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) are very excited about the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) 

Program's potential and want to share some of our current thoughts about the program with you. The 

potential merger of the Edward Byrne Memorial Formula Grant (Byrne Formula) Program and the 

Local Law Enforcement Block Grants (LLEBG) Program into a single funding stream allows us to look at 

what each fund's strengths are to achieve a more ideal program. We are committed to pursuing a new 

Justice Assistance Grant Program that: 

 Maintains the current equitable division of funds between states and local recipients. 

 Broadens the flexibility of both state and local jurisdictions to use their funding by blending the 

purpose areas to create a wider range of options that will more fully support the funding decisions 

made by the recipient jurisdictions—not by the Federal Government. 

 Allows us to tailor and expand the types of technical assistance, training, and user-friendly 

information distribution that state and local entities want in ways that are cost effective and do not 

unduly deplete scarce program funds. 

 Clarifies and streamlines the recipients' responsibilities when they apply for funds and report their 

use of funds to BJA so only those requirements and policies that are truly necessary for effective 

oversight of the combined program are included. 

Overview 

The JAG Program is a proposed grant program that will help states and local governments support a 

broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and improve the criminal justice system. It would 

replace the Byrne Formula Program and the LLEBG Program with a single funding mechanism that will 

allow easier administration by both grantees and BJA. We will streamline requirements, policies, 

application processes, and ongoing grantee reviews to eliminate duplication of effort and provide better 

service to our constituents. 

General Use of Funds

Anything funded under the current Byrne Formula or LLEBG Programs would continue to be eligible for 

funding under the JAG Program's specific purpose areas (see below). In addition, funds could be used for 

personnel, overtime, and equipment purchases. Funds provided for the states could be used for 

statewide initiatives, technical assistance and training, and support for local (including rural) jurisdictions. 

Local jurisdictions could also work together by combining their funds to form regional projects. 

Specific Purpose Areas of the Proposed JAG Program 

 Community-Based and Statewide Prevention and Education Programs 

 Law Enforcement Programs 

 Adjudication Programs 

 Corrections and Treatment Programs 

 Program and System Improvements 

Advantages of the New Program 

Simplifies and Streamlines Policies, Practices, and Procedures 

 Fosters a more efficient and effective government at the federal, state, and local levels. 
 Combines funding streams for programs that have similar purposes and are intended for the 

same recipients. 

 Promotes advanced technology (e.g., moving to a paperless system). 

 Streamlines reporting requirements. 

 Eases administrative burdens with fewer and more general purpose areas. 

 Reduces general administrative tasks at the federal, state, and local levels. 

 Promotes more efficient monitoring. 

Enhances State and Local Control 

 Gives grantees greater flexibility to use funds. 

 Enhances the abilities of local law enforcement to address community problems with a wider 

variety of solutions. 

 Allows grantees to pay greater attention to actual programs and spend less time mastering the 

two sets of requirements that now exist. 

Supports Collaboration and Communication 

 Encourages greater sharing of information and coordination between state and local 

governments. 

Promotes Best Practices 

 Enhances abilities at the federal, state, and local levels to exchange new and successful 

practices. 

 Enhances BJA's ability to report results to the U.S. Department of Justice, Congress, and 

grantees. 

Options for Administering the Program 

BJA is exploring a range of options to administer the program. Guiding principles include reducing 

paperwork and streamlining processes, taking advantage of technology, and ensuring that the updated 

system will support reporting of program accomplishments. The current LLEBG platform provides a model 

for grant application, approval, fund drawdown, and reporting. It is BJA's goal to build from that platform, 

making necessary modifications to involve the states in a review and comment function in the grant 

approval process for the local portion that flows directly to city and county officials. As a result, states will 

be able to plan better because they will be more informed about how localities intend to use their funds.