BJA has worked hard to make sure that information we request from grantees helps to better measure the impact of their efforts because we know the effectiveness of our grant programs is based on results, not on how well grantees complete paperwork. BJA has committed to redesigning our grant monitoring system so that we will be better able to provide feedback that focuses on helping grantees and sharing their successes with others.

During FY 2002, BJA sought applications from established research/evaluation organizations to serve as a technical assistance resource and work with BJA grantees that received funds at congressional direction in the establishment of appropriate outcome measures and tools for collecting evaluation information. BJA also included performance measures as an element of all program solicitations. We are committed to providing technical assistance to all grantees regarding the development and use of appropriate outcome measures.

To address the recurring problem of grantees being unable to sustain projects once federal funding is over, BJA developed the Project Development and Implementation Training (PDIT) Program, a 2-day training program that provides state and local grant recipients with tools and strategies in the planning, implementation, management, and sustainment of BJA-funded programs. In FY 2002, BJA sponsored 15 sessions, which trained 625 participants from 48 states/territories. The program will continue in FY 2003.

Finally, BJA worked with the OJP Office of Budget and Management Services to rate the Drug Court Discretionary Grant and Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) Programs as part of the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART). This exercise allowed us to rethink our performance measures, helped us evaluate the programs’ directions, and provided a vehicle from which to streamline the RSAT Program.