BJA Justice Today April 6, 2009

BJA’s and IACP’s “Discover Policing” National Initiative Wins Award

A partnership between BJA and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Discover Policing is a highly successful law enforcement recruitment initiative and recipient of the prestigious Interactive Media Award (IMA). DiscoverPolicing.org is the cornerstone of a nationwide initiative to inform and inspire broad and diverse audiences who may be interested in a law enforcement career. BJA encourages all law enforcement agencies to explore the site and to post hiring announcements online to reach a national audience of potential recruits. Read more or view FAQs.

FY 2009 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program Applicant Webinars
BJA is hosting a series of webinars on Justice and Mental Health topics. On March 23, over 400 people registered to participate on the BJA-sponsored webinar “HIPAA: Myths, Facts, and Cross-System Collaboration,” which was presented by John Petrila, Professor of Mental Health Law & Policy at the University of South Florida. Please visit BJA's Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program web page for updates, links to past webinars, and registration information for upcoming webinars.

Next Justice and Mental Health Series Webinar Focuses on Victimization During National Crime Victims Week (April 27- May 1)
BJA will host its next Justice and Mental Health webinar "Responding to People Who Have Been Victimized by Individuals with Mental Illness." Tim Murray, Executive Director of the Pretrial Justice Institute, and Carol Dorris of the National Center for Victims of Crime will present. Future webinar topics include "A Guide to Juvenile Screening and Assessment" (May) and "Federal Benefits" (June).

Current Funding Opportunities

Recovery Act: State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program: Combating Criminal Narcotics Activity Stemming from the Southern Border of the United States
Applications are due April 17, 2009
FY 2009 Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative
Applications are due April 20, 2009
FY 2009 Second Chance Act National Adult and Juvenile Offender Reentry Resource Center
Applications are due April 20, 2009

Recovery Act: Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs Program
Applications are due April 22, 2009
Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Partnership Training and Technical Assistance Program
Applications are due April 23, 2009
Recovery Act: Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program
Applications are due April 27, 2009
Recovery Act: Correctional Facilities on Tribal Lands Program
Applications are due May 4, 2009

BJA makes vehicle history information available to the public and law enforcement? The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) is a Department of Justice system administered by BJA and created to combat automobile theft and fraud. NMVTIS enables users to access automobile titling information, including brand history and certain historical theft data, and facilitates the electronic exchange of information between states. For more information, visit www.nmvtis.gov.

Community Court Mentor Network
BJA, in collaboration with the Center for Court Innovation (CCI), has tapped community courts in Dallas, Hartford, and Seattle to serve as mentors for jurisdictions that want to do a better job combating neighborhood crime and increasing trust in the justice system. The three courts will work with CCI to provide guidance in developing strategies that combine punishment with help. More…