Amata Welcomes $98,418 ASCJPA Grant from DOJ

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming this week’s notice of a grant of $98,418 from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency for efforts to prevent juvenile delinquency.

“Congratulations to CJPA Director Mariana Timu-Faiai along with her team for the work these federal funds support on behalf of our youth and their successful application efforts,” said Congresswoman Amata.

The grant description states, “American Samoa is a family-oriented territory. It is the goal of the government to empower the cultural values of aiga-family to counsel, guide, and protect the younger generation. The foundation of programs under the Title II Formula Grant in American Samoa focuses on keeping juveniles out of the system and promoting positive youth development through activities such as sports that the youth enjoy. The Designated State Agency ensures that procedures and protocols within the American Samoa Juvenile Justice System comply with the core requirements of the Title II Act as documented and reported in the territorial Compliance Monitoring Manual. The goals of the local government align with the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention mission to treat children as children.”

Congress funded the DOJ in 2023 through the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, followed by short-term government funding extensions.

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