In part, BJA’s success depends on our ability to communicate information and be responsive and accountable to our grantees and constituents. BJA understands that we need to inform communities about changes or best practices so they can do their jobs better. We have been diligent in communicating often and are available and responsive when our grantees and constituents seek to communicate with us.

For example, to offer State Administering Agency (SAA) directors a simpler way to administer the Byrne Formula Grant Program, BJA began streamlining and simplifying our operating practices regarding requirements to have an annual strategy, state annual report, and evaluation component. This new guidance was posted on BJA’s web site.

Also, in response to President Bush’s major gun violence reduction effort, BJA was actively involved in Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in America. PSN’s effectiveness is based on the ability of local, state, and federal agencies to cooperate in a unified effort led by the U.S. Attorney in each of the 94 federal judicial districts across the United States. This unprecedented partnership gives prosecutors and community leaders the tools they need to remove guns from and reduce the incidence of violent crimes in their neighborhoods. Within only 6 months of starting the program, BJA developed and implemented four distinct grant programs to promote PSN activities across the nation: 1) Research Partner/Crime Analyst grants, 2) Media/Community Engagement Partner grants, 3) Project Sentry grants, and 4) the Reducing Community Gun Violence Grant Program. BJA also developed a user-friendly web site for U.S. Attorneys and grantees. The web site guided U.S. Attorneys through a process to form PSN task forces and develop gun violence reduction strategies and also guided PSN selection committees in making recommendations on grant funding.

Pursuant to congressional direction, in FY 2002 BJA also assumed responsibility for the southwest border prosecution initiative from the Executive Office for United States Attorneys. This initiative provides funds to eligible jurisdictions in the four southwest border states (Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas) for costs relating to criminal cases handled by state and local jurisdictions after declination by the U.S. Attorneys. Rather than relying on a paperdependent system, BJA developed an online end-to-end distribution system to handle all requests for reimbursement. The new online application process will allow the qualifying jurisdictions to request funds from the original program years (FYs 2000 and 2001), as well as BJA’s new program year. The new program year opened in April 2003.

Finally, to meet the challenge of realizing results from every grant and training program BJA supports, we reorganized our operations. We are now organized into three offices: Policy, Programs, and Planning. The Policy Office provides national leadership in criminal justice policy, training, and technical assistance to further the administration of justice. It also acts as a liaison to national organizations that partner with BJA to set policy and help disseminate information on best and promising practices. The Programs Office coordinates and administers all state and local grant programs and acts as BJA’s direct line of communication to states, territories, and tribal governments by providing assistance and coordinating resources. And the Planning Office coordinates the planning, communications, and budget formulation and execution; provides overall BJA-wide coordination; and supports streamlining efforts.