52:17B-180 Qualification for State/Community Partnership Grant Funds.

1. a. In order to qualify for award of State/Community Partnership Grant funds established pursuant to P.L.1995, c.283 (C.52:17B-179) a county shall:

(1) Establish a county youth services commission in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Juvenile Justice Commission established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1995, c.284 (C.52:17B-170);

(2) Submit and obtain Juvenile Justice Commission approval of a triennial comprehensive plan for services and sanctions for juveniles adjudicated or charged as delinquent and programs for the prevention of juvenile delinquency which:

(a) are designed to promote the goals of P.L.1995, c.283 (C.52:17B-179);

(b) provide recommendations for funding of programs, sanctions and services that enhance and expand the range of sanctions and services for juveniles adjudicated or charged as delinquent and programs designed to prevent delinquency;

(c) make services available in geographical locations within the county where juveniles in need reside; and

(d) provide for distribution of State/Community Partnership Grant funds by the county in accordance with contracts or agreements executed by the appropriate county officials in accordance with applicable law.

b. The Juvenile Justice Commission shall establish by regulation:

(1) Specific guidelines as to membership of a county youth services commission;

(2) Specific requirements for the administration of the State/Community Partnership Grant funds awarded by the county.

c. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection a. of this section, the county governing body may elect, upon annual written request approved by the executive director, to designate a commission, council or agency to assume the responsibilities of a county youth services commission in that county. Approval of such a request shall be contingent upon the governing body demonstrating that the membership of the designated entity is sufficiently representative of persons and agencies interested in the juvenile justice system to permit the entity to perform the duties and responsibilities of a county youth services commission, that the members of the designated entity are otherwise qualified to perform the duties and responsibilities of members of a county youth services commission, and that the designated entity has the authority and responsibility to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a county youth services commission.

d. A county youth services commission shall:

(1) Recommend to the governing body of the county the approval or disapproval of contracts with local government or private agencies that desire participation in the State/Community Partnership Grant Program;

(2) Monitor the operations of programs receiving State/Community Partnership Grant funds with reference to compliance with standards, policies and rules established by the Juvenile Justice Commission;

(3) Monitor and evaluate the impact of the programs receiving State/Community Partnership Grant funds, including the nature of the offender or at risk populations served by the funded programs, and prepare a written report with relevant documentation, on an annual basis, to be submitted to the Juvenile Justice Commission as part of the commission's triennial plan and annual update; and

(4) Perform such other duties as may be established by the Juvenile Justice Commission to achieve the purposes of P.L.1995, c.284 (C.52:17B-169 et seq.) which creates the Juvenile Justice Commission and P.L.1995, c.283 (C.52:17B-179) which creates the State/Community Partnership Grant Program.

e. No county may use funds received pursuant to this section to supplant or replace existing funds or other resources from federal, State or county government for existing juvenile justice-related programs or for purposes of capital construction or renovation.

f. If a county elects not to participate in the State/Community Partnership Grant Program, the commission is authorized to allocate and expend that county's share of Partnership funding in a manner consistent with the commission's Juvenile Justice Master Plan.

L.1995,c.282,s.1; amended 2005, c.164, s.2.