Funding of Collaborative Justice Courts in California

California collaborative justice courts (CJC) receive funding from federal, state, and local sources. The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Collaborative Justice Program and the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP) are key partners in the administration of many of these statewide grant initiatives.

In September 1998 the California Legislature enacted the Drug Court Partnership Act to fund postplea drug court programs with the goal of producing the greatest possible public safety benefit and reductions in state and local costs. This legislation established a unique partnership between the state Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP) and the Judicial Council in which the two agencies co-administer the program and demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of drug courts. The legislation has provided approximately $8 million per year since its enactment.

In 2000 the Judicial Council and ADP began administering the Comprehensive Drug Court Implementation Act of 1999. This act provides funding for “drug court systems” such as those for (1) juvenile offenders, (2) parents of children who are detained by or are dependents of the juvenile court, (3) parents of children in family law cases involving custody and visitation issues, (4) criminal offenders under Penal Code sections 1000.1-1000.5, and (5) other drug court systems approved by the Drug Court Partnership Executive Steering Committee. The State Budget for fiscal year 2000-2001 provided $10 million for this program. Funding in subsequent years has been maintained at approximately $8 million to $10 million per year.

Drug Court Partnership

Comprehensive Drug Court Implementation (CDCI) Act

Family and Juvenile Drug Courts

 Since 1996 federal funding has been available annually for drug courts and other collaborative justice courts through the Byrne Fund and the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG) programs. The AOC administers these pass-through grants, which provide funds for 15 to 30 collaborative justice courts each year. This program funds juvenile delinquency, dependency, family drug courts, youth/peer courts, juvenile violence and juvenile mental health courts, and restorative justice projects. JABG funding is also used to develop a statewide system of juvenile collaborative justice court programs and to support restorative justice practices in the juvenile justice system

 Substance Abuse Focus Grants

 In 2010-2011, the Collaborative Justice Courts Advisory Committee allocated approximately $1.16 million to 50 jurisdictions across the state, often with multiple collaborative justice programs with a focus on substance abuse issues.

For more information about AOC grants for collaborative justice programs:

e-mail: Collaborative.Justice@jud.ca.gov

Learn more  about ADP grants for collaborative justice programs: