FY 2021 SJS-SAC Technical Assistance Program

State Statistical Analysis Centers (SACs) use data and statistics to analyze justice issues and policies, evaluate criminal justice programs, and conduct applied research that informs policy making, practice, and the public. In recognition of the critical role SACs play, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) provides funding to state and territorial governments through the State Justice Statistics (SJS) program, which supports the establishment and operation of state SACs and enables the states to collect, analyze, and report statistics on crime and justice. JRSA proposes to continue to support activities under the FY 2022 State Justice Statistics Program for Statistical Analysis Centers Technical Assistance Program, leveraging its longstanding relationship with the SACs. As part of this effort, JRSA will continue to provide training and technical assistance to SACs to enhance their statistical, research, and organizational capabilities; convene in-person networking opportunities; and help SACs write proposals and reports.

In furtherance of these goals, JRSA will pursue 10 objectives: enhance the capacity of SACs, provide TTA to SACs, provide editorial review and assistance, provide a mutual assistance program (MAP), assist with IRBs and human subjects protection, publish materials and disseminate information, convene skill-building seminars, redesign the JRSA website, increase SAC exposure, and plan a SAC director orientation. These objectives will produce numerous deliverables, including the conduct of virtual site visits, technical assistance through telephone and web-based services, webinars and other online training, data collection and publication, and other activities outlined below. JRSA will continue to harness new technologies to further these objectives – including an improved database of SAC materials and JRSA resources, new discussion boards, and an online learning system. Throughout this project, JRSA will regularly engage SACs in peer-to-peer learning and collaboration so that SACs can build upon the work of one another to accomplish their missions effectively and efficiently.

By continuing to provide training and technical assistance through the State Justice Statistics Program, JRSA will strengthen and enhance SAC capacity to produce rigorous analyses, publish and present useful reports, share relevant materials among SACs and with BJS, engage with research entities in their state and elsewhere, and collaborate with other SACs for the purpose of sharing craft knowledge and peer-to-peer learning.

State Statistical Analysis Centers (SACs) are designated agencies that collect and analyze statistics on crime and criminal justice relevant to their state. States rely on SACs to provide data-focused information and recommendations on patterns of criminal activity and the impact of criminal justice policy and practice. Since 1974, the Justice Research and Statistical Association (JRSA) has bolstered the SACs by providing technical support and training, enabling inter-agency connections, and serving as a liaison to the federal Department of Justice. JRSA hopes to continue to provide support in the upcoming year.

The goal of this proposal is to enhance the statistical, research and organizational capabilities of state Statistical Analysis Centers. This goal can be broken down further into ten, measurable objectives which include: enhancing the capacity of SACs; providing technical assistance to SACs; providing editorial reviews and assistance; providing a Mutual Assistance Program (MAP); assisting with IRBs and the protection of human subjects; publishing materials and disseminating information; convening skill-building professional seminars and working groups; redesigning JRSA’s current website; increasing SAC exposure to researcher and practitioner audiences, and onboarding new SAC directors through a well-planned and comprehensive orientation.

Multiple deliverables will be provided by JRSA to support the objectives including, but not limited to, an annual assessment and survey, provision of virtual and in-person assistance, a regional training conference, a redesigned website, SAC sessions at national conferences, and an improved SAC director manual and onboarding orientation webinar. Many of these deliverables build upon resources JRSA has already developed and refined in the past while others will be created to serve as building blocks for future work to promote and strengthen the SAC network.

Through the years, support from JRSA has allowed SACs to conduct rigorous up-to-date analyses, write comprehensive reports, and disseminate those reports to a relevant large audience. JRSA has also been able to foster relationships for SACs with the BJS, research organizations, universities, and other SACs. The continued involvement of JRSA is invaluable for SACs to maintain their high quality of analysis and writing as well as ensure that the work being done is promoted and disseminated to a wider audience.