Chapter 14

For More Information

OJP provides a variety of resources to assist prospective grantees and the public obtain information about OJP programs, research, publications, training, and technical assistance. In recent years, OJP has greatly expanded its efforts to share such information with as diverse a constituency as possible. Whether through focusing efforts to reach out to specific constituencies--such as Native Americans or rural communities--or reaching a broader audience by tapping into the resources of the Internet and the World Wide Web, OJP is now able to communicate more information, more quickly than ever before. The following briefly describes OJP's Websites, clearinghouses, publications, and other information resources, as well as related assistance provided by other federal agencies.

Websites

• OJP Website. OJP maintains a Website at www.ojp.usdoj.gov. In addition to general information about OJP and its bureaus, the Website includes downloadable versions of many OJP publications and application kits, as well as useful links to selected criminal justice Websites. Several OJP bureaus and offices also have special E-mail addresses listed on their Websites for inquiries about research, statistical data, programming, and other information. The address for general inquiries is maintained by the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs and can be reached by sending an E-mail to AskOCPA@ojp.usdoj.gov.
  
  

• Partnerships Against Violence Network (PAVNET) Online is a searchable "virtual library" of information about promising programs, funding sources, and technical information sources related to violence prevention and youth at risk. PAVNET is supported by a partnership of seven different federal agencies, including the Justice Department. The Web address is www.pavnet.org.
  
  

• Weed and Seed Webpage, Database, and Electronic Exchange Forum. The Weed and Seed Webpage serves as an electronic repository for information and materials about Operation Weed and Seed, including program background information, contact information for staff and sites, and information on successful sites. The Webpage also contains links to other services to identify and locate TA resources and has a response section to leave comments or request additional information about Weed and Seed. The Webpage address is www.ojp.usdoj.gov/eows/.
  
  
  

The Weed and Seed Database is an archive of basic site information on all sites. The database contains a summary for each site that includes demographics, a description of the target area, historic information, highlights of key successes, the most noteworthy programs, and funding information. One of the main uses of the database is to search the extensive catalogue of site activities and programs and site contact information.
The Weed and Seed Internet Listserv provides a forum for electronic exchanges among Weed and Seed sites. This listserv allows sites to post and receive E-mail messages from other sites and EOWS staff and TA contractors to provide timely information to the sites and respond to questions. To join the listserv, E-mail your request to Deborah Haley at DHALEY@ilj.org.

• The Justice Technology Information Network (JUSTNET) is a gateway to the services of NIJ's National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center System, as well as other technology information and resources for law enforcement and corrections. Through JUSTNET, users can access interactive bulletin boards on a variety of related topics, a comprehensive database of law enforcement and corrections products and technologies, and NLECTC publications. The site can be accessed at www.nlectc.org.
  
  

• JUSTINFO.NET is an NIJ research forum on crime and justice that works in close cooperation with the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme Network. It provides access to criminal justice institutes and international crime data from around the world. The Website address is www.ncjrs.org/justinfo/.
  
  
• The National Archive of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD) Website at www.icpsr.umich.edu/nacjd provides downloadable access to more than 500 criminal justice data collections free of charge. NACJD is sponsored by BJS and maintained by the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research at the University of Michigan.
  
  
• BJS's Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics Online brings together data about all aspects of criminal justice in the United States presented in over 600 tables from more than 100 sources. The electronic version of Sourcebook's tables and sections are presented in Adobe Acrobat format and can be viewed, searched, and printed. The site is updated regularly to reflect new data as they will appear in the next printed edition of the Sourcebook, which BJS will publish in the summer of 1999.

Information/Publications Clearinghouses

• The Department of Justice Response Center is staffed by specialists who answer questions and provide information about Justice Department funding programs, including all OJP and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office funding programs. Center staff also can provide copies of program solicitations, guidelines, and other documents. The Response Center can be reached by calling toll-free at 1-800/421-6770 or 202/307-1480 in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
  
  

• The National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) is one of the most extensive sources of information on criminal and juvenile justice in the world. NCJRS is a collection of clearinghouses supporting all OJP bureaus and offices, as well as the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Call NCJRS toll-free at 1-800/851-3420 or 301/251-5500 in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to speak with an information specialist who can conduct individualized research and provide copies of OJP publications. Access to publications, grant information, and other resources is available via the NCJRS Website at www.ncjrs.org. The publications archives are accessible in a searchable and downloadable format. Information and assistance also is available from any of the NCJRS clearinghouses listed below:
  
  

BJA Clearinghouse
1-800/688-4252

Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse
1-800/638-8736

BJS Clearinghouse
1-800/732-3277

National Victims Resource Center
1-800/627-6872

• The National Clearinghouse for Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS), sponsored by BJS and operated by SEARCH, maintains an Internet-accessible automated index of more than 1,000 criminal justice information systems maintained by state and local governments throughout the nation. It also provides online access to the FBI's Law Enforcement Bulletin, opinions of the United States Supreme Court, all four volumes of the FBI specifications for the National Incident-Based Reporting System, and publications from other agencies and associations. In addition, the clearinghouse issues technical publications, provides technical assistance and training for state and local government officials, and operates the National Criminal Justice Computer Laboratory and Training Center. CJIS is accessible through the Internet at www.search.org/it-clearinghouse/default.asp. For more information about the clearinghouse, call 916/392-2550, or send an E-mail to webmaster@search.org.

• The Professional Conference Series Website contains information about the more than 100 NIJ-sponsored conferences each year, registration for events, and past conferences. The site address is www.nijpcs.org.

Publications

• Fiscal Year At-A-Glance describes current OJP fiscal year appropriation levels and funding programs, eligibility for grants, a chart showing state-by-state estimates or final allocations under OJP formula programs, an OJP organizational chart, and the status of program regulations, guidelines, reports, application kits, and grant awards. At-A-Glance is produced annually and updated quarterly. Copies are available online from the OJP Website or by calling NCJRS and asking for NCJ-173947.
  
  
  
• The Office of Justice Programs Resource Guide offers a "road map" of OJP programs, training, technical assistance, and other resources. It describes, in general, OJP's major grant programs, community-based initiatives, available training and technical assistance, publications, information clearinghouses, and other resources. The Resource Guide is available online from the OJP Website or by calling NCJRS or the Department of Justice Response Center.

• The OJP Partnership Directory, originally produced to help U.S. Attorneys learn about federal resources available in their districts, is an excellent resource for anyone interested in developing a comprehensive community-based approach to public safety. The directory includes descriptions of major programs of several federal domestic agencies and information on who to contact to learn more about these programs. It also includes state points-of-contact for OJP's formula grants and state agencies administering other federal programs. The directory can be accessed from OJP's Website.
  
  
• Another comprehensive guide to federal programs is the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, which is maintained by the General Services Administration. The catalog is a government-wide compendium of federal programs, projects, services, and activities that provide assistance or benefits to the American public. It contains financial and nonfinancial assistance programs administered by departments and establishments of the federal government. To purchase the catalog in hard copy or in tape, diskette, or CD-ROM format, contact the Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Staff, General Services Administration, 300 7th Street, SW, Suite 101, Washington, DC 20407 or call 202/708-5126. The catalog is also available on the Web in searchable format. The Web address is www.gsa.gov/fdac/queryfdac.htm.

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