1999 Report to Congress

IV. Concentration of Federal Efforts in
Delinquency Prevention

Effective responses to the complex problems of delinquency and youth violence require coordinated, multidisciplinary efforts at the Federal, State and local levels. At the State and local levels, OJJDP provides funding, training, and technical assistance through programs such as the Community Prevention Grants Program. These programs encourage States and communities to combine funding streams, to use resources effectively and efficiently, and to enhance collaborative, coordinated prevention strategies. At the Federal level, OJJDP reflects this emphasis on collaboration by providing leadership in coordinating Federal delinquency prevention policy and initiatives through the Concentration of Federal Efforts (CFE) Program and the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (Coordinating Council).

The CFE Program promotes interagency cooperation and coordination among Federal agencies with responsibilities in the area of juvenile justice. The program seeks to eliminate duplication of effort and ensure that juvenile justice funds are used in the most cost-effective manner. The CFE Program has three primary responsibilities:

To develop objectives and priorities for Federal juvenile delinquency prevention programs and activities.
To identify Federal programs that address juvenile justice issues and promote a unified and cooperative approach.
To submit annual recommendations to the President and Congress concerning the coordination of Federal juvenile delinquency programs and activities.

The CFE Program carries out these responsibilities through the Coordinating Council, an independent organization in the executive branch of the Federal Government established by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended. The Council, which is comprised of nine ex-officio members (Exhibit 11) and nine juvenile justice practitioners, coordinates overall policy and development of objectives and priorities for all Federal juvenile delinquency programs. The Attorney General chairs the Council, with the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) serving as the Vice-Chair.

In 1996, the Coordinating Council published and disseminated Combating Violence and Delinquency: The National Juvenile Justice Action Plan. The Action Plan describes coordinated Federal efforts to strengthen State and local initiatives addressing juvenile violence and delinquency. In Fiscal Year 1999, the Coordinating Council focused on three of the Action Plan's eight primary objectives:

To reduce youth involvement with guns, drugs, and gangs.
To provide opportunities for children and youth, including those with disabilities.
To break the cycle of violence by addressing youth victimization, abuse, and neglect.

The Council's key activities, described below, reflect the ongoing evolution of Federal strategies to address juvenile delinquency. At the Federal, State, and local levels, there continues to be increased emphasis on the development of comprehensive and collaborative strategies. As demonstrated by the following review of key activities during Fiscal Year 1999, the CFE Program and the Coordinating Council continue to play a critical role in encouraging, facilitating, and supporting development of effective, comprehensive, and inclusive delinquency prevention efforts.

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Title V Incentive Grants for Local Delinquency Prevention Programs		OJJDP 1999 Report to Congress