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The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Special Emphasis Program Has Not Realized Its Full Potential

GGD-82-42 Published: Apr 16, 1982. Publicly Released: Apr 16, 1982.
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Highlights

GAO conducted a review to determine how efficiently and effectively the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention managed the Special Emphasis Prevention and Treatment Program under which grants and contracts can be awarded for: (1) developing and implementing new approaches, techniques, and methods with respect to juvenile delinquency programs; (2) improving the capability of public and private agencies to provide services for delinquents and other youth to help prevent delinquency; and (3) developing and implementing prevention and treatment programs relating to juveniles who commit serious crimes.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Justice The Attorney General should direct the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to establish policies and procedures which recognize that research demonstration and service delivery programs should be designed and managed differently. With respect to the Office's research demonstration initiatives, the Administrator of the Office should ensure that: (1) program announcements clearly establish the initiatives' purpose; (2) research demonstration initiatives are developed on the basis of research results; (3) evaluation is made an integral part of research demonstration initiatives; and (4) technical assistance is available to grantees, especially during key phases. The Administrator should also determine whether research demonstration programs should be monitored the same as service delivery programs or given closer scrutiny.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

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Topics

ContractsFederal aid to localitiesGrant administrationJuvenile offender rehabilitationLaw enforcementMonitoringProgram evaluationResearch and developmentTechnical assistanceTeenagers