Agency Contact Info
Karen L. Ziegler
1110 West Washington
Suite 230
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
602.364.1146
State Agencies
Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Recovery Act Funding
Agency Plan
The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (ACJC) received a total of $25,600,106 in AARA funds (Byrne program funds of $25,306,956 and VOCA funds of $293,150). ACJC has been administering both of these programs for more than 20 years. Because ACJC has a history of successfully administering these programs, the Commission was in the enviable position of having the infrastructure and processes in place to distribute these funds to stakeholder agencies.
THE BYRNE/JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM:
The ACJC is responsible for coordinating a statewide strategy on drug control and related gang and violent crime activity. To accomplish the goals set out in the 2008-2011 Strategy: Arizona Drug, Gang and Violent Crime Control, ACJC awards grants to 16 multi-jurisdictional narcotics task forces around the state, 15 tandem prosecution projects and to criminal justice support programs, such as crime labs for drug forensic analysis. Much of this grant funding to local law enforcement, prosecution and crime labs is derived from federal dollars awarded through the Byrne/Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) program.
VOCA VICTIM'S COMPENSATION PROGRAM:
The purpose of the Crime Victim Compensation Program is to assist innocent crime victims in Arizona with out-of-pocket expenses for crime-related medical treatment, mental health counseling, funerals, and wage loss. The Crime Victim Compensation Program is a state program administered at the county level by the 15 county attorneys. Under the Crime Victim Compensation Program Rules, a victim must file a compensation claim at the county attorney's office in the county where the crime occurred. The county attorney's office in each county investigates the compensation claims, which are then presented to the county's Crime Victim Compensation Board for review. Each board is comprised of appointed volunteers selected from citizens of the respective county who approve or deny of the compensation claim in accordance with the program rules. The maximum award for a claim is $20,000.
Impact of Stimulus on Constituency
ARRA funding for Byrne and VOCA went to established programs—there is zero impact on the state budget, no requirement for minimum state expenditure or matching funds, and there were no changes in existing statute required to receive these stimulus funds. Because the funds were distributed via existing programs, the infrastructure and process to move these funds quickly to stakeholder agencies was already in place. This was a turn-key process.
Application, Evaluation and Decision Making Process for Award of Stimulus Funds
THE BYRNE/JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM:
Byrne grant funds are disbursed to state and local criminal justice agencies through an open grant process. Agencies submitted grant applications via the ACJC web-based Grants Management System (GMS). Grant reviewers scored the grant applications on a number of criteria, and prioritized the applications according to the funding priorities set forth in the 2008-2011 Strategy: Arizona Drug, Gang and Violent Crime Control strategic plan. ACJC staff compiled the grant applications and scores and presented the funding plan to the full Commission at an open public meeting on May 20, 2009. The Commission publicly reviewed the summaries and made funding decisions accordingly. As the intent of the ARRA funds was to preserve and/or create jobs, those applications that funded personnel positions (rather than requests to fund equipment or technology) were funded. These grants are reimbursement funds; the agency puts out the funds and we reimburse the agency when they send in their monthly expenditure reports. However, because of the budget crisis, we are working with agencies on a case-by-case basis that may needs funds in advance and we forwarding their funds and allowing them to send expenditure reports at the close of the month.
VOCA VICTIM'S COMPENSATION PROGRAM:
The Victim’s Compensation program is funded through state dollars, and the federal government then reimburses the state 60 cents on the dollar via VOCA funds. The amount of federal money ACJC receives is based on how much state money is spent the prior fiscal year. The ARRA provided additional funds to the program, which will be distributed to the county attorneys’ offices according the program rules. The county allocations allocated through a formula that provides a base amount of $1,100 plus funds based upon population. The allocations are presented to the Commission for approval at an open public meeting in September. These funds are awarded directly to the county attorneys’ offices; these are not reimbursement grants. Any funds not expended are returned at the close of the grant cycle and rolled over into the next grant cycle.
Relevant Timelines and Deadlines
3.31.09: ACJC opened the grant solicitation process for the Byrne program.
4.24.09: All Byrne applications are due by 3:00 p.m.
5.20.09: Commission meets publicly and determines which programs will receive funding. Grant agreements are then sent out to recipient agencies.
6.30.09: Recipients return signed grant agreements.
Information Regarding Assistance (Resources) Available
ACJC provides resources online that assist the requesting agencies with grant writing. Also, ACJC staff follows up with subgrantees to ensure that programs are operated according to the program rules; to assist with reporting requirements and performance measures; and to ensure financial compliance with state and federal rules and offer assistance where necessary.
Funds – Breakdown by Program
The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (ACJC) received a total of $25,600,106 in AARA funds (Byrne program funds of $25,306,956 and VOCA funds of $293,150).
Proposed Projects and Funded Projects
ACJC funded its Drug, Gang and Violent Crime Control Program and its Victims Compensation Program using ARRA funds. Detailed explanations of these programs as well as funding allocations may be found on ACJC’s web site.
Drug, Gang & Violent Crime
http://www.azcjc.gov/publications/publications.asp?ServId=1003
Criminal Justice Records Improvement (CJRIP)
http://www.azcjc.gov/publications/publications.asp?ServId=1002
Associated Federal Agency(ies) and Links to Federal Agency Recovery Web Site
Bureau of Justice Assistance recovery Act web site for the Byrne/Justice Assistance Grants Program:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recoveryJAG/recoveryjag.html
Office for Victims of Crime VOCA Formula Grants recovery web site:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/fund/Recoveryformula.html
Link to Stimulus Related Information (if any) on Agency Web Site
None available.