CHARLESTON, WV (WVDN) — Gov. Justice announced that he has awarded $433,551.00 in Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Title II grant awards for eight projects. These funds are awarded to public and private non-profit agencies throughout the state to prevent juvenile delinquency, reduce racial and ethnic disparities, rehabilitate juvenile offenders, and improve the West Virginia juvenile justice system.
These funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and are administered by the Justice and Community Services Section of the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services.
The JJDP grant funds were awarded to the following:
CASA of the Eastern Panhandle
CASA of the Eastern Panhandle has secured a $63,282.00 JJDP grant to support the Fostering Futures program. Fostering Futures volunteer mentors will provide one-on-one mentorship and support to youth who are involved in the child protective services system, often in foster care between the ages of 13 and 17.
Child Protect of Mercer County, Inc.
Child Protect of Mercer County, Inc. has received a $55,321.00 JJDP grant to support the Girls Circle Project, which will create a circle of support for at-risk girls through a multi-prong approach that includes support group programming, mental health counseling services, and basic needs assistance for them and their families.
Jefferson Day Report Center, Inc.
Jefferson Day Report Center, Inc. was awarded a $58,390.00 JJDP grant to provide mental health and substance use treatment services to juveniles referred to the Jefferson Day Report Center, Jefferson Teen Court, and/or Jefferson County Juvenile Drug Court.
Libera, Inc.
Libera, Inc. has secured a $72,778.00 JJDP grant to support the Libera Mentoring Program to empower youth in the Juvenile Justice System program, which provides mentoring and connection to job training and career planning resources for youth in the juvenile justice system in West Virginia.
Marshall University Research Corporation
Marshall University Research Corporation has received a $50,000.00 JJDP grant to support the Community Outreach Project, which provides community outreach, evidence-based delinquency prevention programming, and positive youth development to primarily minority at-risk youth in Cabell County.
Partnership of African American Churches
The Partnership of African American Churches was awarded a $55,322.00 JJDP grant to decrease Disproportionate Minority Contact and reduce the negative consequences of such contact with law enforcement when it does occur by expanding current initiatives between law enforcement, youth, and families.
Public Defender Services
Public Defender Services has secured a $43,260.00 JJDP grant to host 6-8 sessions throughout the grant year to train public defenders and court-appointed attorneys on juvenile law and other topics essential to representing children.
Team for West Virginia Children
Team for West Virginia Children has received a $35,198.00 JJDP grant for continued follow-up support and referrals after permanency is achieved for child victims in child abuse and neglect civil court cases.
