The overall purpose of this program is to assist jurisdictions in the development and implementation of new and existing drug courts. Through early court intervention and substance abuse treatment, drug courts help reduce recidivism among these types of offenders. Funds will be made available to support the planning process, conduct implementation, or offer additional support to pre-existing drug court programs.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Allowable uses of funds are outlined in the Drug Court Program Guideline available from the Department of Justice Response Center.

Drug Court Programs under Title V will be for nonviolent adult and juvenile offenders and involve early and continuous judicial supervision over the nonviolent substance abusing offenders and the integrated administration of sanctions and services including: (1) mandatory periodic testing for the use of controlled substances or other addictive substances during any period of supervised release or probation; (2) substance abuse treatment for each participant; (3) diversion, probation, or other supervised release involving the possibility of prosecution, confinement, or incarceration based on noncompliance with program requirements; and (4) programmatic, offender management and aftercare services.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Grants can be given to States, State courts, local courts, units of local government and Indian tribal governments, acting directly or through agreements with other public or private entities.

Applicants may choose to submit joint applications with other eligible jurisdictions for statewide, regional, and multi-jurisdictional drug court programs.

With joint applications, one organization must be designated as the applicant and any coapplicants designated accordingly.

The applicant organization must be eligible and the other agencies/organizations must provide supporting documentation.

All applicants must demonstrate that they have the management and financial capabilities to effectively plan and implement projects of the size and scope described in the application kit.

Nonprofit and for-profit agencies are not eligible applicants.

For an application from a subunit of government (e.g., county probation department, district attorney's office, pretrial services agency) to be considered, it must be designated by letter as representing an eligible applicant (described above).

For example, the county court or county executive may designate the county probation or county district attorney's office as its representative for the purpose of application.

In this instance, the applicant continues to be the designating State, court system, or unit of local government.

The county probation, district attorney's office, or other designated subunit, is the organization authorized to submit an application on behalf of the eligible applicant.

Beneficiary Eligibility

States, local governments, Indian tribal governments, public or private entities.

Credentials/Documentation

The application must include: Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424); Applicant Information page; a one-page program abstract summarizing the goals and objectives of the grant request; program narrative; letters of support; detailed budget and budget narrative; administrative requirements; and assurances and certifications. See program announcement for more information.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Prospective applicants may view the preapplication requirements by visiting the web site at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/drugcourts.html.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

All competitive grant applications must be submitted electronically through the Grant Management System (GMS) at http://grants.ojp.usdoj.gov. Applications or supplemental materials received by facsimile or postal mail will not be accepted.

Award Procedures

An award is granted by the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs, and must be accepted by the applicant agency or institution according to the special conditions of the grant or cooperative agreement.

Deadlines

See the program solicitation or contact the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, for application deadlines. Telephone: 1-866-859-2687 or by e-mail at AskBJA@usdoj.gov.

Authorization

The Drug Courts Program is authorized under Title I, Part EE, of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, Public Law 90-351d, Title I, 82 Stat. 197, as amended by the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, Public Law 107-273, Division B, Title II, Subtitle C, 116 Stat. 1758 (2002).

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 60 days.

Appeals

Determined by the Assistant Attorney General, OJP.

Renewals

Grants can be extended by submitting a written justification for an extension to the Bureau of Justice Assistance office for review. Extensions are subject to approval by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and renewals by congressional funding.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

The Federal share of a grant received under this subtitle may not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of an applicant's projected budget. The matching requirement is a 25 percent match provided by the applicant. A portion of the match must be cash. This is required by statute; the term "portion" is not defined.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Project duration period will be up to 3 years for Implementation Grants, up to 2 years for Enhancement Grants.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Reports required include: "Fiscal Reports", which consist of quarterly budget expenditure reports, "Progress Reports", which consist of semi-annual program progress reports, and the Drug Court Grantee Data Collection Survey.

Audits

Payments and transactions are subject to audits by the Government Accountability Office, Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General, State or local government auditors, and auditors from independent public accounting firms. Jurisdictions must follow their local policies and procedures, including maintenance of reliable and accurate accounting systems, record keeping, and systems of internal control. All organizations that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in any fiscal year must have a single audit for that year in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-133, as amended, unless the audit condition on the award says otherwise. These audits are due to the cognizant Federal agency not later than 9 months after the end of the grantee's fiscal year. Performance Measures: To assist in fulfilling the Departments responsibilities under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), P.L. 103-62, applicants who receive funding under this solicitation must provide data that measures the results of their work.

Records

All grantees are required to establish and maintain accounting systems and financial records in order to account for funds awarded to them.

Financial Information

Account Identification

15-0404-0-1-754.

Obigations

FY 07 $9,872,280; FY 08 $15,200,000; and FY 09 est not available.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Up to $500,000 for Implementation Grants; and up to $300,000 for Enhancement grants.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Office of Justice Programs Financial Guide.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice, 810 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20531. Contact: Eunice Pierre, Policy Advisor, Bureau of Justice Assistance. Telephone: (202) 616-6500 or (1-866) 859-2687 or E-mail: AskBJA@usdoj.gov.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Criteria are described in the OJP Program Announcement.