In addition to the Weed and Seed Program, OJP is involved in several interagency and interdepartmental initiatives to help revitalize communities. One of these is the Strategic Approaches to Community Safety Initiative, which is managed by NIJ, the Criminal Division, the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, and other Department of Justice components. The local U.S. Attorney partners with federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies, the community, and a local research entity to collaborate on data collection and analysis and to use the results of these assessments to design and implement targeted interventions to prevent and reduce crime. Drug-Free Communities Grants fund coalitions of young people, parents, media, law enforcement, school officials, religious organizations, and other community representatives that target young people's use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. The coalitions also encourage citizen participation in substance abuse reduction efforts and disseminate information about effective programs.
Information is also available through either office's clearinghouse.
To be funded, local strategies must include plans for creating a safe school environment, youth alcohol and drug prevention, violence prevention, early intervention, school and community mental health preventive and treatment programs, early childhood psychosocial and emotional development, and safe school policies. The program emphasizes a comprehensive, collaborative approach of community mobilization, planning, and collaboration. JUMP uses mentoring as a tool to keep young people in schools and off the streets. Mentors provide youth with discipline, guidance, and personal attention. Mentoring activities include tutoring, job training, and community service.