HODGES ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO ASSIST JUVENILE JUSTICE AND

DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAMS STATEWIDE

COLUMBIA – Gov. Jim Hodges has announced that thirteen grants will be awarded to state and local governments to help them address the issues of misconduct and crime by children. These grants will support innovative efforts to deal with juvenile offenders and at-risk youth at the community level. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Office of Justice Programs will administer the grants on behalf of the Governor’s Office.

“This grant money will support communities in their efforts to guide at-risk youth in the right direction as they grow up,” Governor Hodges said.

The Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Council played an instrumental role in the decision to fund these grants. The Advisory Council consists of state and local officials, as well as private citizens. One of the Council’s chief responsibilities is to recommend ways to improve juvenile justice services in South Carolina, and members believe prevention programs can play a strong part in keeping children out of the state’s court system. The grants will be used for delinquency prevention programs and programs aimed at developing alternatives to suspension from school and incarceration. These grants represent a portion of awards totaling $1,179,250 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The following received grants:

Anderson County

Juvenile Intervention Court $62,601

Clemson University

It’s Your School Too! $170,880

Project Turnaround $153,291

City of Spartanburg

Attendance By Choice (ABC) Program $ 22,802

Georgetown County

Georgetown County Boys Mentor Group $ 77,039

Lancaster County

Lancaster County Prevention Coalition $ 59,286

Pickens County

Reducing Status Offenses and Truancy Through Alternatives in Rec. $ 49,718

Richland County

Middle School Truancy Intervention and Prevention Program $ 40,863

SC Department of Education

School Based Youth Court $ 46,122

Town of Batesburg-Leesville

Town Action for Prevention (TAP) $313,275

Town of Pamplico

Pamplico Youth Support Project $ 15,500

Town of Saint George

Discovery Program $ 45,513

University of South Carolina

Disproportionate Minority Confinement $194,824

The Office of Justice Programs is a division of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, which also includes the Criminal Justice Academy, Highway Patrol, Office of Highway Safety, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services and Division of Motor Vehicles. DPS has more than 2,600 employees in offices statewide. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.

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OJP/JB/107/2002

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