NCJ Number
228131
Date Published
March 2009
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This annual report (fiscal year 2007-08) on California's Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) - a State-funded initiative that supports juvenile probation programs with a record of reducing crime and delinquency among at-risk youth and young offenders - presents information on the local planning process, program expenditures, and six mandated juvenile justice outcomes.
Abstract
Regarding the local planning process, the JJCPA requires counties to establish and maintain a multiagency Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council that develops, reviews, and updates a comprehensive plan that documents the condition of the local juvenile justice system and outlines proposed efforts to address identified service gaps. For fiscal year 2007-08, chief probation officers and other JJCC members report being very satisfied with the enhanced communication, coordination, and collaboration that have resulted from this planning process. By June 30, 2008, the 56 counties participating in the JJCPA program expended or committed 99.8 percent of the $118,736,112 allocated in fiscal year 2007-08. Counties also spent $3,868,700 in interest earned on State funds and $15,553,465 in non-JJCPA funds to support program activities. A total of 103,118 youth participated in the 174 programs operating in 2007-08, which translates into an average per capita cost to the State of $1,148.66. Regarding program outcomes, youth participants in JJCPA programs were arrested for new offenses and incarcerated at significantly lower rates than youth in a comparable reference group who did not participate in JJCPA programs. JJCPA participants also completed probation and court-ordered community service at significantly higher rates than youth in the comparison group; and they attended a significantly greater percentage of school days, achieved significantly higher grade point averages, and were significantly less likely to be suspended from school than reference group youth. These results are consistent with those achieved in previous years. 2 tables, county program highlights, and appended expenditure data