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Justice Programs News & Funding |
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July 15, 2024 - Vol. 30, Issue 14
Twice monthly highlights from the Office of Justice Programs |
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A MESSAGE FROM SMART OFFICE DIRECTOR HELENA HEATH
As we approach the 18th anniversary of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, we honor the memory of Adam Walsh and other victims and lift up the extraordinary work his family and so many dedicated professionals have done to enhance public safety across our nation. The AWA, born from tragedy, has become a significant tool in our efforts to protect the public from sexual exploitation and abuse.
The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, a key component of the AWA, has been particularly transformative for tribal communities. By empowering tribes to implement robust sex offender registration and notification systems, SORNA has significantly enhanced public safety in Indian country. To date, 137 tribes have substantially implemented SORNA, alongside 18 states and four U.S. territories.
Created by the AWA, the SMART Office plays a crucial role in this success, providing tribes with essential funding, training and technical assistance. Our support enables tribal law enforcement and community leaders to access vital information and participate in national criminal justice information sharing systems, strengthening their ability to protect vulnerable populations.
Since becoming the Director in January 2023, I've witnessed firsthand the dedication of the SMART Office team and the remarkable progress made by tribal communities in implementing SORNA. Together, we are ensuring the SORNA standards and protections reach every community in the nation.
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SORNA continues to yield significant public safety benefits, reinforcing the Justice Department's commitment to safeguarding our communities and continuing the legacy of advocacy started by the families commemorated in the Adam Walsh Act.
As you read this edition of the newsletter to find out about activities across the Office of Justice Programs, I hope you will take time to visit the SMART Office website to learn more about the work we are doing to protect America's communities.
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Helena Heath
Director
Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking
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BJS Student Expo Showcase
Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply for a chance to demonstrate their work and collaborate with BJS statisticians and other experts in criminal justice and statistics, working with one of BJS's many data collections.
Submissions are due by July 31, 2024.
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Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor
BJA administers the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer. Public safety officers (firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency services officers) who serve at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels may be nominated for the Medal of Valor.
Submit nominations by July 31, 2024.
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World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
OVC is the largest federal funder of services for human trafficking victims in the Nation. During Fiscal Year 2023, OVC human trafficking grantees reported supporting nearly 11,000 individuals who sought services for the first time from their programs. Learn about OVC efforts to ensure that all victims of human trafficking have access to services.
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OJJDP Celebrates 50 Years of the JJDPA
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PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
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As the Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science Scholars Program celebrates its 10th anniversary, OJP's National Institute of Justice reflects on a decade of empowering law enforcement professionals with research and evidence-based policing. Established in 2014 through a partnership between NIJ and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the LEADS Scholars Program bolsters research capabilities for mid-career law enforcement officers, integrating science into law enforcement policies and practices.
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One standout participant in the LEADS Scholars Program is Eve Stephens, Chief of Police for the University of Texas at Austin. Drawn to the program by its emphasis on evidence-based practices, Stephens sought to connect with other professionals equally committed to leaving the law enforcement profession better than when they started. She recognized the value of applying scientific methods and data-driven techniques to the challenges faced by law enforcement and community policing.
"The program has been transformative for my career," Stephens shared. "It gave me the tools and knowledge to integrate research into daily operations, leading to more effective and efficient policing strategies marked by proven research. The network of like-minded professionals I've connected with through this program has been invaluable."
As the first female Asian American police chief at the University of Texas Police Department, Stephens' experience is a exemplifies the program's impact on individual participants and the law enforcement community.
The LEADS Program has not only enhanced public safety and improved community relations but also fostered innovation by shaping the future of policing and instilling confidence in law enforcement's future.
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FROM THE VAULT
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President George W. Bush signed the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act on July 27, 2006.
The Adam Walsh Act created the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking within OJP. The SMART Office helps states, tribes and territories implement the sex offender registration and notification provisions of the AWA.
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U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Justice Programs News & Funding
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