Public Law 87–274

The Congress hereby finds and declares that juvenile delinquency and youth offenses diminish the strength and vitality of the people of our Nation; that such delinquency and offenses are increasing in both urban and rural communities; that such delinquency and offenses occur disproportionately among school dropouts, unemployed youth faced with limited opportunities and with employment barriers, and youth in deprived family situations; and that prevention and control of such delinquency and offenses require intensive and coordinated efforts on the part of private and governmental interests.

The policy of the Federal Government is to assist in developing techniques for the prevention and control of juvenile delinquency and youth offenses, and to encourage the coordination of efforts among governmental and nongovernmental educational, employment, health, welfare, law enforcement, correctional, and other agencies concerned with such problems.

For the purpose of demonstrating improved methods for the prevention and control of juvenile delinquency or youth offenses (which, for the purposes of this Act, includes treatment of juvenile delinquents and youthful offenders), the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the “Secretary”) is authorized to make grants for projects for the evaluation, or demonstration of the effectiveness, of techniques and practices which in the Secretary’s judgment hold promise of making a substantial contribution to the prevention or control of juvenile delinquency or youth offenses, including techniques and practices for the training of personnel and for developing or securing more effective cooperation among public and other nonprofit agencies, organizations, and institutions.

Such grants may be made to any State, local, or other public or nonprofit agency, organization, or institution; and to the extent he deems it appropriate, the Secretary shall require the recipient of any grant to contribute money, facilities, or services for carrying out the project for which such grant was made.

The Secretary is further authorized to enter into contracts for any such projects with public or other agencies, organizations, or institutions, and with individuals.

The full amount (as determined by the Secretary) of any grant for a project made under this section shall be reserved from the appropriation for the fiscal year in which the grant is made; and payments on account of such grant in that and subsequent fiscal years may be made only from the amount so reserved.

Payments under this section may be made in installments, and in advance or by way of reimbursement, as may be determined by the Secretary, and shall be made on such conditions as he finds necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

For the purpose of training personnel employed or preparing for employment in programs for the prevention or control of juvenile delinquency or youth offenses, the Secretary is authorized to make grants for programs for such purpose which in his judgment hold promise of making a substantial contribution to the prevention or control of juvenile delinquency or youth offenses. Such programs may include, among other things, the development of courses of study, and the establishment of short-term traineeships with such allowances for travel and subsistence expenses, as the Secretary may determine to be necessary.

Such grants may be made to any Federal, State, local, or other public or nonprofit agency, organization, or institution; and to the extent he deems it appropriate, the Secretary shall require the recipient of any grant to contribute money, facilities, or services for carrying out the program for which such grant was made.

The Secretary is further authorized to enter into contracts for any such programs with public or other agencies, organizations, or institutions, and with individuals.

The full amount (as determined by the Secretary) of any grant for a program made under this section shall be reserved from the appropriation for the fiscal year in which the grant is made; and payments on account of such grant in that and subsequent fiscal years may be made only from the amount so reserved.

Payments under this section may be made in installments and in advance or by way of reimbursement, as may be determined by the Secretary, and shall be made on such conditions as he finds necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

The Secretary is authorized to make studies with respect to matters relating to the prevention or control of juvenile delinquency or youth offenses, including the effectiveness of projects or programs carried out under this Act, to cooperate with and render’ technical assistance to State, local, or other public or private agencies, organizations, and institutions in such matters, and to provide short-term training and instruction in technical matters relating to the prevention or control of juvenile delinquency or youth offenses.

The Secretary is authorized to collect, evaluate, publish, and disseminate information and materials relating to studies conducted under this Act, and other matters relating to prevention or control of juvenile delinquency or youth offenses, for the general public or for agencies and personnel engaged in programs concerning juvenile delinquency or youth offenses, as may be appropriate.

The Secretary shall consult with the President’s Committee on Juvenile Delinquency and Youth Crime on matters of general policy and procedure arising in the administration of this Act, and shall consider the recommendations, if any, of such Committee on program applications submitted under section 3 or 4 and on proposed studies or other actions to be undertaken pursuant to section 5.

As used in this Act, the term “State” includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.