Program Evaluation

The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 mandates that all programs funded under the Byrne Program be evaluated. The goal is to identify and disseminate information about programs of proven effectiveness so that jurisdictions throughout the country can replicate them. In addition, evaluation results guide the formulation of policy and programs within federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies.

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has been an active participant in BJA's evaluation program. BJA and NIJ have jointly developed evaluation guidelines and conducted comprehensive evaluations of selected programs receiving discretionary and formula grant funds. The Director of NIJ is required to report to the President, Attorney General, and Congress on the nature and findings of Byrne Program evaluation activities.

Formula grant program applicants must include an evaluation component that meets the BJA/NIJ evaluation guidelines. The Director of BJA may waive this requirement under certain circumstances. Each state is required to provide BJA with an annual report that includes a summary of its grant activities and an assessment of these programs' impact on the needs identified in its statewide strategy. Formula grant funds may be used to pay for evaluation activities.

Applicants for discretionary grant funding also are required to include an evaluation component in their applications and to conduct evaluations according to the procedures and terms established by BJA.

The Director of BJA is required to submit to Congress an annual report on evaluation results of BJA programs and projects and state strategy implementation.