Program Strategy and Purposes

Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, public information, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following purpose areas:

1) Law enforcement programs
2) Prosecution and court programs
3) Prevention and education programs
4) Corrections and community corrections programs
5) Drug treatment programs
6) Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.
7) Crime victim and witness programs

Each of the old Byrne and LLEBG purpose areas is related to one of the above purpose areas. Any law enforcement or justice initiative previously eligible for funding under Byrne or LLEBG is eligible for JAG funding.

Allocation Information

The JAG formula includes a state allocation consisting of a minimum base allocation with the remaining amount determined on population and Part 1 violent crime statistics and a direct allocation to units of local government. Once the state allocation is calculated, 60% of the funding is awarded to the state and 40% to eligible units of local government. Units of local government receiving awards more than $10,000 will receive the funds directly from U. S. Department of Justice (USDOJ). Awards to units of local government of $10,000 or less will be passed through the state. State allocations also have a variable pass through requirement to locals, calculated by the Bureau of Justice Statistics from each state’s crime expenditures.

FDLE has designated the 60% funding awarded to the State of Florida as JAG Countywide. The portion of the 40% funding, designated for units of local government receiving awards of $10,000 or less, passed through the State of Florida will be referred to as the Florida JAG Direct. It is possible for a unit of government to receive funding under both JAG Countywide and JAG Direct.

Eligible Applicants
Units of local government are eligible to receive subgrants from FDLE. "Units of local government" means any city, county, town, township, borough, parish, village, or other general-purpose political subdivision of a State and includes Native American Tribes that perform law enforcement functions as determined by the Secretary of the Interior.
Program Development Process - JAG Countywide

Each county is allocated a sum of money for use by all local governments within the county. This amount is determined through a funding algorithm established in administrative rule.

Chapter 11D-9.005, Florida Administrative Code, requires that units of government in each county reach consensus concerning the expenditure of these funds, including the projects to be implemented and the agency responsible for such implementation.

Maximum coordination is required to meet this program requirement and the Department requests the county board of commissioners to coordinate requests for all local governments within the county. The Chairman, Board of County Commissioners, in each county so notified is requested to return to the Department a statement of certification indicating the county's willingness to serve as the coordinating unit of government for at least 51 percent of the units of government which also represents at least 51 percent of the population located in said county. This certification must be returned within 30 days from the date of receipt of notification. In the event the county declines to serve in this capacity, the Department will request the governing body of each municipality in the county, in descending order of population, to serve as the coordinating unit of government.

Application Requirements - JAG Countywide
Once the Certificate of Participation form designating the coordinator for your county is received, the Office of Criminal Justice Grants will send this individual further information regarding the application process. Applications must be accompanied by letters of approval representing agreement among at least 51 percent of all units of local government representing at least 51 percent of the county population as to the allocation of dollars to each project in the county.

Program Development Process - Florida JAG Direct
Eligible units of government will receive an announcement of funding availability including application information and funding amount.



Subgrant Information Management ON-line (SIMON)
Applications will be submitted via FDLE’s new on-line grants management system, SIMON, which can be accessed at http://simon.fdle.state.fl.us. A detailed user manual is available upon accessing the web-site. Please read this manual before you get started in SIMON and reference it before calling for assistance.


Match Requirements
There is no match requirement under the guidelines of the new JAG program.


Funding Period
JAG Countywide: Awards are made for a period not to exceed twelve months beginning on October 1 and typically ending on September 30. A program may be funded indefinitely if funding is available, but a new application must be submitted each year.

Florida JAG Direct: Awards are made for a period not to exceed six months beginning on February 1 and typically ending on July 31.


Reporting Requirements
Successful applicants will be required to report the following to FDLE:

Programmatic Performance Reports to be prepared in SIMON (JAGC only)
Audit or Certification of Audit Exemption
According to the Office of Management and Budget, a non-federal entity expending less than $500,000 in Federal Funds during the audit period is not required to submit an annual audit. If your agency has expended less than $500,000, complete the Certification of Audit Exemption Form.

Distribution of Funds
Grant funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis. Requests for reimbursement can be submitted on a monthly or a quarterly time frame and should include total expenditures for the period reflected.
A cash advance is possible for up to 25% of the grant award if the subgrantee is able to document a hardship.


Contact Information
Phone: (850) 617-1250
Fax: (850) 921-0434

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Office of Criminal Justice Grants
2331 Phillips Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308


Vendor Payment History
The Florida Office of the Comptroller has developed a website that enables vendors for the State of Florida to view the records of payment history. As FDLE subgrantees and implementing agencies, you have the authorization to access this website to determine the status of payment for claims submitted to this office. Complete instructions can be accessed here. The Comptroller’s web-site can be accessed at https://flair.dbf.state.fl.us.