NCJ Number
251396
Date Published
March 2017
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Intended for site recipients of grants under the federal Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program (BCJI), this paper provides guidance in selecting the entity ("fiscal agent") that will coordinate the BCJI project.
Abstract
A BCJI fiscal agent can be any established organization, government agency, nonprofit organization, law enforcement agency, or social service agency. The responsibility of the fiscal agent is to ensure that the BCJI project adheres to the requirements and regulations outlined in the BCJI competitive grant announcement. The paper notes that the best coordination structure for a BCJI site is shaped by the local environment. Local partners in the BCJI program have different skills and resources; and jurisdictions use diverse crime prevention, intervention, and neighborhood revitalization strategies. All of these factors can influence which local organization would be best suited to coordinate BCJI work. This paper advises that there is no single formula for selecting a fiscal agent that will guarantee success in a comprehensive crime-reduction effort. Most important is that key partners in the BCJI initiative discuss the pros and cons of their chosen approach to coordination, weighing local dynamics against the requirements of the role as fiscal agent. In order to assist in this decision, a BCJI Fiscal Agent Selection Tool is provided. It is a checklist that can help a BCJI site assess which agency or organization in a particular jurisdiction may be best positioned to serve as BCJI fiscal agent. The checklist assesses prospective candidates for fiscal agent regarding capabilities/competencies in the areas of management, a comprehensive approach to safety and revitalization, experience in the research process, and community status that will facilitate community-wide participation in BCJI projects.