FY 2021 SJS-SAC Technical Assistance Program

Increasing the capacity of the SACs is a long-standing BJS goal that is fully embraced by JRSA’s Executive Committee and staff.  JRSA recognizes that TTA increasing SAC capacity will benefit not only the SACs, but also the state and local policy makers and practitioners who rely on trustworthy data and analyses to guide their work and decision making.  In addition, BJS could greatly benefit by increased capabilities in the SACs that facilitate collection of high-quality state data in an efficient and effective manner.

Toward that end, JRSA has geared its TTA efforts to be directly responsive to SAC needs and their interests in emerging issues, while recognizing that SAC diversity requires a multi-modal approach for TTA delivery.  Hence, we have in the past, and will continue to deliver services to SACs using a variety of face-to-face and virtual methods, including webinars, onsite visits, the dissemination of written materials, and on-line and conference call communication.

Enhancing and Expanding TTA

Based on the findings of this report, JRSA proposes the following steps to enhance and expand TTA for SACs:

• continue to offer new SAC Directors a content-rich introduction to the history and role of the SACs and JRSA, which includes a SAC Director’s Manual, introductory webinar, and a virtual onboarding session with the JRSA President, Executive Director and SJS TTA Project Manager immediately upon BJS approval of a new Director.  JRSA can also provide a ‘refresher’ course to SAC Directors who wish to review this material.

• increase outreach to the SACs, especially those that exhibit the most challenges and needs, checking in with SACs that have either not completed the annual SAC survey or not successfully applied for or completed SJS-funded projects, to build rapport and support their continued progress toward increased capacity.

• increase a sense of community and peer-to-peer learning among the SACs through topical online discussion boards, an email SAC listserv and JRSA’s Mutual Assistance Program (MAP) with an updated list of SACs willing to provide mentorship, subject matter expertise, and TTA to other SACs.

• increase the availability of learning resources enhancing SAC statistical, research and organizational capabilities, and 

• increase communication and dissemination of information among the SACs and between the SAC community, JRSA and BJS.

Increasing the capacity of the SACs is a long-standing BJS goal that is fully embraced by JRSA’s Executive Committee and staff.  JRSA recognizes that TTA increasing SAC capacity will benefit not only the SACs, but also the state and local policy makers and practitioners who rely on trustworthy data and analyses to guide their work and decision making.  In addition, BJS could greatly benefit by increased capabilities in the SACs that facilitate collection of high-quality state data in an efficient and effective manner.

Toward that end, JRSA has geared its TTA efforts to be directly responsive to SAC needs and their interests in emerging issues, while recognizing that SAC diversity requires a multi-modal approach for TTA delivery.  Hence, we have in the past, and will continue to deliver services to SACs using a variety of face-to-face and virtual methods, including webinars, onsite visits, the dissemination of written materials, and on-line and conference call communication.

Enhancing and Expanding TTA

Based on the findings of this report, JRSA proposes the following steps to enhance and expand TTA for SACs:

• continue to offer new SAC Directors a content-rich introduction to the history and role of the SACs and JRSA, which includes a SAC Director’s Manual, introductory webinar, and a virtual onboarding session with the JRSA President, Executive Director and SJS TTA Project Manager immediately upon BJS approval of a new Director.  JRSA can also provide a ‘refresher’ course to SAC Directors who wish to review this material.

• increase outreach to the SACs, especially those that exhibit the most challenges and needs, checking in with SACs that have either not completed the annual SAC survey or not successfully applied for or completed SJS-funded projects, to build rapport and support their continued progress toward increased capacity.

• increase a sense of community and peer-to-peer learning among the SACs through topical online discussion boards, an email SAC listserv and JRSA’s Mutual Assistance Program (MAP) with an updated list of SACs willing to provide mentorship, subject matter expertise, and TTA to other SACs.

• increase the availability of learning resources enhancing SAC statistical, research and organizational capabilities, and 

• increase communication and dissemination of information among the SACs and between the SAC community, JRSA and BJS.