National Drug Court Training and Technical Assistance Program:
Drug Court Technical Assistance Initiative, FY 2004

About the National Drug Court Training and Technical Assistance Program

This solicitation provides information about the National Drug Court Training and Technical Assistance Program (NDCTTAP). This program supports the Drug Court Grant Program as described in Title I, Part EE, of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets (Crime Control) Act of 1968, Public Law 90-351, Title I, 82 Stat. 197, as amended by the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act, Public Law 107-273, Division B, Title II, Subtitle C, 116 Stat. 1758 (2002), which authorizes the Attorney General to provide technical assistance and training to further the purposes of the Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program.

In fiscal year (FY) 2004, funding under this competitive grant announcement is contingent on the availability and amount of FY 2004 funding for the Drug Court Program. BJA has developed a comprehensive array of training and technical assistance opportunities for jurisdictions either planning or operating an adult, family, juvenile, tribal, or driving while intoxicated (DWI) drug court.

The goal of this initiative is to provide a comprehensive array of technical assistance services that strengthens jurisdictions' ability to implement, enhance, or institutionalize a family, juvenile, or tribal drug court. The objectives of the initiative are to:

• Provide culturally competent, proactive, comprehensive, user-friendly technical assistance services.

• Develop and deliver curricula based on adult learning theory.

• Coordinate the work of all technical assistance providers and grantees to maximize available expertise in the drug court field.

• Develop uniform protocols for the assessment and delivery of technical assistance, as well as tracking, evaluation, and followup.

• Use technical assistance strategies that include, but are not limited to, developing publications, teleconferencing, peer-to-peer consultations, onsite technical assistance, and ongoing technical assistance by phone and e-mail.

In FY 2004, BJA hopes to offer cooperative agreements for technical assistance in the following three categories:

• Family drug courts. A cooperative agreement will be awarded to provide technical assistance to family drug courts for an 18-month period. Applicants must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of family drug courts, extensive knowledge of brokering and developing technical assistance, knowledge of adult education techniques, and a willingness to work with other BJA training and technical assistance providers. A request for funding may not exceed $200,000.

• Juvenile drug courts. A cooperative agreement will be awarded to provide technical assistance to juvenile drug courts for an 18-month period. Applicants must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of drug courts, an extensive knowledge of brokering and developing technical assistance, knowledge of adult education techniques, and a willingness to work with other BJA training and technical assistance providers. A request for funding may not exceed $200,000.

• Tribal drug courts. A cooperative agreement will be awarded to provide technical assistance to tribal drug courts for an 18-month period. Applicants must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of tribal drug courts, an extensive knowledge of brokering and developing technical assistance, knowledge of adult education techniques, and a willingness to work with other BJA training and technical assistance providers. A request for funding may not exceed $200,000.

Collaborative efforts by consortia are encouraged.

Drug Court Training and Technical Assistance providers are part of the NDCTTAP consortium, which meets biannually to coordinate and collaborate on activities. Applicants should budget for three 2-day meetings of the NDCTTAP consortium for the 18-month grant period.