Byrne Justice Assistance Grant

JAG funding is authorized through the federal Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and is made available to the states to fund innovative programs to address drug and violent crime issues. Funding is utilized to support a number of state, county, and local law enfo cement related programs that are designed to improve New Jersey’s criminal justice system

The Division of Criminal Justice develops a statewide criminal justice strategy for the use of the funds awarded under JAG. Disbursement of funds is based on the needs assessment conducted each fall by the Section. The needs assessment is completed utilizing input received from a wide variety of law enforcement agencies.

BJA also provides funds directly to local law enforcement agencies under JAG.

NJ Victim Assistance Grant Program

The federal Office for Victims of Crime provides the State Office of Victim Witness Advocacy (SOVWA) formula allocations under the VOCA Victim Assistance grant program. These funds are used by the SOVWA to provide direct services to crime victims. The Victims of Crime Act enumerates the kinds of services that are eligible for funding under this grant program. Funds from this program are awarded to the county offices of Victim Witness Advocacy in each of the 21 county Prosecutors' offices. Additionally, the SOVWA also provides direct funding to victim services agencies through the competitive Notice of Availability of Funds (NOAF) process.

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT)

In FY 1996, Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, initiated the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Program. The monies are used to fund residential substance abuse treatment programs within state and local correctional facilities in which prisoners are incarcerated for a period of time sufficient to permit six to twelve months of treatment.

Funds under this program have been awarded to the Department of Corrections and the Juvenile Justice Commission to operate adult and juvenile treatment programs. Funding is also allocated for local correctional facilities that meet the criteria defined by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Federal Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program (BVP)

The purpose of this Program is to save the lives of law enforcement officers by helping States, units of local government and tribal governments equip their officers with bulletproof vests.

Funding is provided by the Department of Justice directly to local agencies. The Program Development and Grants Unit oversees the funding provided by the Bureau of Justice Assistance for State level agencies that submit an application. Federal funds may be used to pay up to 50 percent of the costs of the purchased bulletproof vests.

STOP Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

Funding Source: Department of Justice Agency: Division of Criminal Justice Contact: Program Development/Grants Section 609-292-5939 dcjgrants@njdcj.org

Grant Application Forms and Instructions

The STOP Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Grant Program provides the State Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy (SOVWA) a formula grant allocation under the Violence Against Women Act, authorized for funding in the 1994 Crime Bill. Federal rules allow 10% of the total VAWA award to be used to administer the grant program. The balance of the funding must be allocated as follows: 25% to law enforcement, 25% to prosecution, 30% to victims services, 15% discretionary and 5% to courts. Pursuant to new federal regulations, in 2003 the Division of Criminal Justice and SOVWA formed a statewide VAWA Advisory Committee to develop a Three-Year Implementation Plan, approved by the Office of Violence Against Women, to ensure continuation of services, opportunities for program expansions and introduction of new programs.