SACRAMENTO (Oct. 20, 2020) -- The BSCC is conducting a strategic plan to determine new priorities for a federal grant that can fund a variety of justice system programs. This strategic planning effort will allow the Board to update the priorities for funding based on input about current needs in California.  The BSCC is asking all interested parties to suggest innovative ways within the allowed parameters of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to plan the next round of funding, which has been about $16 million annually.

 

Public input helps the BSCC understand the most pressing justice issues facing the state. The information will inform grant development and the Request for Proposals, which will be released in late 2021. The next three-year grant cycle will run from 2022 through 2025.

 

For the first time, the JAG grant includes a category for funding mental health programs. All of the allowable priority areas are listed below:

 

  1. Law enforcement programs
  2. Prosecution and court programs
  3. Prevention and education programs
  4. Corrections and community corrections programs
  5. Drug treatment and enforcement programs
  6. Crime victim and witness initiatives
  7. Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs
  8. Mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams

 

The BSCC has held two video listening sessions seeking public input, and the agency is interested in providing more opportunities for input into the strategic planning effort.

 

The BSCC will accept written comments through October 30, 2020 by email at JAG2022@bscc.ca.gov or via USPS at Daryle McDaniel, 2590 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 200, Sacramento CA 95834.

 

The comments will be used to form a survey that will be widely distributed and allow participants to provide additional input on final priorities. To receive the final survey, please sign up here http://www.bscc.ca.gov/s_bsccmailchimplisterserv.