Shay Bilchik, Administrator       FACT SHEET #24 .
May 1995

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY DEVELOPMENT STATEMENTS 

by Helen N. Connelly

The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act
provides that Federal agencies administering juvenile
delinquency programs submit annual juvenile delinquency
development statements to the Coordinating Council on
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. These statements
describe policies, programs, and practices that correspond to
Federal juvenile delinquency prevention and treatment goals
and policies.

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has
recently compiled a multi-year compilation of delinquency
development statements for Fiscal Years 1990 through 1992. 
The report, Juvenile Delinquency Development Statements: A
Report on Federal Programs,  provides a comprehensive view
of the programs and activities of 20 Federal agencies as they
relate to delinquency prevention, treatment, control, diversion,
rehabilitation, planning, education, training, technical
assistance, and research. It describes Federal involvement in
addressing some of the most critical challenges facing the
juvenile justice system, including serious juvenile crime, drug
and alcohol abuse, gang membership, and child victimization. 
 


An Intensified Federal Response 

Federal agencies  commitment to preventing and combating
youth  crime and violence is evidenced by the number and
range of juvenile delinquency prevention and treatment
programs.   

As public concerns regarding  rising juvenile crime, violence,
gangs, and drug use intensified,  so did the Federal response.
From FY 1990 through FY 1992, for example, the number of
programs aimed at reducing school violence, helping students
to stay in school, providing alternative education, and assisting
educators rose 50 percent. The number of programs
addressing missing and exploited children doubled. 

Federal juvenile delinquency-related expenditures rose from
$4.7 billion in FY 1990 to $5.8 billion in FY 1992. Funds
used to combat juvenile gangs and address gang-related issues
increased $265 million, while funds spent  on youth drug and
alcohol abuse increased by more than $500 million, as Federal
legislation focused attention and resources on such issues.

The delinquency development statements reveal an increased
focus on research. More than 40 percent of the programs
described are research-related. Studies assessed program
outcomes, identified effective interventions for reducing
delinquency, and measured the impact of Federal efforts. In
FY 1992 alone, 11 Federal agencies spent more than $133
million on research studies and evaluations.  


The Report

Juvenile Delinquency Development Statements: A Report on
Federal Programs is a valuable tool for the juvenile justice
professional and policymaker. It describes current and  past
delinquency-related research, demonstration, training, and
technical assistance programs. The report  provides
information regarding  the results achieved by research and 
demonstration activities, as well as anticipated outcomes. It
affords a comprehensive view of the ways in which diverse
Federal agencies approach common  concerns. And it indicates
how Federal legislation impacts agency focus and program
development. 

The report contains a brief overview of the mission and goals
of the Federal agencies that administer juvenile delinquency
and delinquency prevention programs, describing  how
agencies and  programs further the statutorily established goals
of the JJDP Act. Program title, target population, and agency
indexes provide easy access to information and enable the
reader to cross-reference and search for programs that address
specific needs or target populations. A list of participating
agencies and their addresses gives the reader access to
additional information about the programs and activities
described in this report.

For Further Information


The 362-page Juvenile Delinquency Development Statements:
A Report on Federal Programs (NCJ 150712) may be
purchased for $22.50 (U.S.), $27.50 (Canada), and $40.50
(other). To order,  write the Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse,
P.O. Box 6000, Rockville, MD  20849, or call 800-638-8736.

FS-9524