NCJ Number
175881
Date Published
1997
Length
109 pages
Annotation
This report presents the administrative, programmatic, and financial requirements attendant to fiscal year 1998 State Justice Institute grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts, as published in the Federal Register, October 3, 1997.
Abstract
To implement its mission to award grants to improve the quality of justice in State courts across the country, the State Justice Institute -- a private, nonprofit corporation established in 1984 by Congress -- offers five different categories of grants. The largest amount of funding is allocated for "Project Grants," which support innovations with nationwide impact. Smaller sums are set aside for "Single Jurisdiction Grants" to help a specific court or court system respond to a particular critical need. "Curriculum Adaptation Grants" support court adaptations of Institute-supported model training programs. "Scholarships" enable judges and key court staff to attend out- of-State education and training programs; and "Renewal Grants" provide continuation of ongoing support for current projects. Twelve "Special Interest" funding categories include two new categories: Improving Sentencing Practices and Improving Court Security. In addition, the Institute is soliciting proposals to conduct two major national conferences: a National Symposium on the Future of Judicial Education and a National Conference on Unrepresented Litigants in Court. Specified topics for funding include improving public confidence in the courts; education and training for key court personnel; dispute resolution; application of technology; court planning, management, and financing; resolution of current evidentiary issues; substance abuse; children and families in court; improving the courts' response to domestic violence and gender-related crimes of violence; the relationship between State and Federal courts; and technical assistance grants. The specifics of grant application, compliance, and financial requirements are provided, along with specifications for grant adjustments. Appended list of contacts regarding grant administration, Institute libraries designated sites and contacts, illustrative list of model curricula, illustrative list of replicable projects, scholarship application, line-item budget form, and certificate of State approval