This page uses Javascript. Your browser either doesn't support Javascript or you have it turned off.
To see this page as it is meant to appear please use a Javascript enabled browser.OJP Homepage | Technical & TA | Funding | Newsroom

SORT BY:

Discretionary Programs
Training and Technical Assistance
Research and Statistical Programs

RSS

Grants 101

Section 10

Innovations in Justice Information Sharing

Overview

OJP, primarily through BJA and DOJ's Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative (Global), supports national policy, practices, and technology solutions to improve the information sharing capacity within the criminal justice community while emphasizing the importance of privacy and civil liberty protections and improving safety in our communities.

Each initiative described in this chapter requires a multidisciplinary response, executive sponsorship, stakeholder ownership, and collaborative program implementation to address operational, technical, and policy needs. BJA worked with justice practitioners at the 2009 National Forum on Criminal Justice and Public Safety to identify many of the topics found in this chapter. The initiatives presented do not require a large investment of resources and will support DOJ's information sharing mission, improve the information sharing processes to strengthen decision making, and enable research and evaluation to identify promising practices with a strong return on investment.

In 2010, problem definition, coalition building, program design, training, and technical assistance will be critical to ensuring program processes are successful and replicable. In addition, field practitioner's insights will continue to be invaluable for developing targeted, sustainable solutions nationwide.

Discretionary Programs

Program Name Cross Boundary Information Exchange Pilot Projects
Grantee Competitive
FY2010 Funding $4,250,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link www.ojp.gov/bja
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
This program will provide seed funding and/or technical assistance resources to support information sharing implementation across the entire justice community. Program requirements will include cross-jurisdictional data sharing and the use of key national standards and guidelines developed or endorsed by the Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative (Global), such implementation of the National Information Exchange Model and Justice Reference Architecture. The program will enable local, state, and tribal agencies to better share information to improve public safety and the administration of justice and will support the implementation and assessment of Global products and related services to help BJA measure the impacts of these efforts and promulgate best practices.

Program Name National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) Participation Program
Grantee Competitive, applicants are limited to state agencies responsible for the registration and storage of vehicle title (and registration) information within the state.
FY 2010 Funding $600,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link www.nmvtis.gov
Program Contact Alissa Huntoon, (202) 305-1661, Alissa.Huntoon@usdoj.gov
Program Description
NMVTIS helps prevent the introduction or reintroduction of stolen motor vehicles into interstate commerce; protects states and individual and commercial consumers from fraud; reduces the use of stolen vehicles for illicit purposes, including fundraising for criminal enterprises; and helps protect consumers from unsafe vehicles. NMVTIS is an electronic system that enables users to access and verify key automobile titling information and vehicle history (e.g., junk, salvage, flood) Users include state titling agencies, law enforcement officials, consumers, auto recyclers, salvage and junk yards, and insurance carriers.

Applicants must fully comply with the provisions of the Anti-Car Theft Act and its regulations, including providing daily, if not real time, updates of title transactions to NMVTIS; making inquiries against NMVTIS prior to issuing a new title; and paying any applicable user fees charged by the system operator.

Program Name Corrections Information Sharing and Interstate Compacts
Grantees American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) (Continuation)
FY 2010 Funding $1,000,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link www.ojp.gov/bja
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
Hundreds of thousands of offenders are released each year into the community after serving their sentences in state and federal prisons and local and tribal jails. According to BJS, more than 50 percent of those released from incarceration will be in some form of legal trouble within 3 years. Recognizing the need to protect public safety and reduce the recidivism rate, all available pertinent data about an offender's history must be shared by the correctional facilities and court databases where such information was generated. This program will identify and expand pilot sites to share information between corrections and community law enforcement, as well as social services, with an emphasis on leveraging the corrections interstate compact for release and transfer of offenders. The National Information Exchange Model will be used to develop reference standards for transmittal of that information. A small number of pilot sites will then be selected to demonstrate the efficacy of these solutions.

Program Name Technical Privacy Implementation and Training
Grantees National Center for State Courts (NCSC) (Continuation)
FY 2010 Funding $350,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link http://www.ncsc.org
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
While information sharing remains a top priority for the justice community, it must be implemented carefully and with all due diligence in regard to the protection of privacy rights of individuals. BJA and its information sharing partners, including the Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative (Global), have developed a valuable cadre of privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties resources, available at www.it.ojp.gov. NCSC is funded by BJA to provide online privacy training that will focus on using computer technology to support the technical implementation and enforcement of privacy rules and policies. In addition, NCSC will demonstrate the technical privacy framework guidelines that were developed by Global Security experts to determine feasibility of automated electronic enforcement of privacy policies into operational information sharing systems and share results with the field.

Program Name Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative (Global)
Grantee Institute for Intergovernmental Research (Continuation)
FY 2010 Funding $4,000,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link www.it.ojp.gov/global
Program Contact Tom O’Reilly, (202) 353-8590, Thomas.O’Reilly2@usdoj.gov
Program Description
Global is the mechanism by which state, local, and tribal justice and public safety partners collaborate and make recommendations to the Attorney General on all matters pertaining to information sharing. Global has been the driving force behind such programs as the National Information Exchange Model, National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan, Fusion Center Guidelines, Justice Reference Architecture, and Privacy Policy Framework, among others. This program will support Global activities, to include all working groups and activities, as well as related publications and training and technical assistance. Through this support, BJA will ensure the continuing partnership between criminal justice agencies at all levels of government to improve public safety and the administration of justice.

Program Name National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) Program Support
Grantee Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) (Continuation)
FY 2010 Funding $2,000,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link www.niem.gov
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
NIEM represents a vital partnership between DOJ and DHS, as well as the state, local, and tribal government agencies related to justice and homeland security. NIEM provides common tools and a data model to derive common standards by which to share information across jurisdictional boundaries more effectively. GTRI will provide technical development and assistance to users to allow NIEM to continue to expand and mature. In FY 2010, these activities will include expanding to additional domains, such as health and supporting younger domains, such as family services and nuclear/hazard detection. In addition, these efforts will support domain self-service through the development of open tools and interface requirements, permitting individual NIEM partners to create their own customized tools and workflows. This flexibility means that NIEM will provide a higher level of service to its customers while improving efficiency and reducing overall program costs.

Program Name Federated Identity Management
Grantee Georgia Tech Research Institute (Continuation)
FY 2010 Funding $1,050,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link www.it.ojp.gov/gfipm
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
Federated identity allows a single user to access multiple information systems with a single credential or login account. The participating systems agree to grant access to the user based on policies that are defined up front, as well as the specific attributes the user carries (e.g., training certification, intelligence analysis experience). This program is the Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative’s (Global’s) approach to bringing the federated identity concept to justice agencies and jurisdictions. Using GFIPM, agencies can greatly expand the resources available to their users while providing adequate security and privacy controls and reducing overall costs.

In FY 2010, this program will focus on delivery of Global-endorsed policy templates and guidelines to support GFIPM implementation in the field. It will also continue support of the GFIPM delivery team, a collaborative effort of Regional Information Sharing Systems, Homeland Security Information Network, Pennsylvania Justice Network, and Criminal Information Sharing Alliance Network. The delivery team is the initial user group for GFIPM, providing operational feedback and demonstrated results of the GFIPM program. This operational federation will continue to expand the services available to each member’s user community, as well as to increase the number of participants.

Program Name National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS)
Grantee American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
FY 2010 Funding $5,700,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link www.nmvtis.gov
Program Contact Alissa Huntoon, (202) 305-1661, Alissa.Huntoon@usdoj.gov
Program Description
NMVTIS helps prevent the introduction or reintroduction of stolen motor vehicles into interstate commerce; protects states and individual and commercial consumers from fraud; reduces the use of stolen vehicles for illicit purposes, including fundraising for criminal enterprises; and helps protect consumers from unsafe vehicles. NMVTIS is an electronic system that enables users to access and verify key automobile titling information and brand history (e.g., junk, salvage, flood) Users include state titling agencies, law enforcement officials, consumers, auto recyclers, salvage and junk yards, and insurance carriers. NMVTIS is a powerful tool that—

Allows state titling agencies to instantly and reliably verify a vehicle’s title before issuing a new title and facilitates the electronic exchange of information between states to improve titling efficiency and reduce fraud.
Assists law enforcement with its investigations of crimes involving vehicles, including vehicle theft rings, violent crimes, drug crimes, financial crimes, and smuggling.
Provides consumers with access to information about the vehicle’s current title, including brands and odometer data, and whether the vehicle has been determined to be a junk or salvage vehicle (including those determined to be a total loss), so that the consumer may make a better informed decision before purchasing a vehicle.

Program Name State Information Sharing Coordination
Grantee National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) (Continuation)
FY 2010 Funding $400,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link www.nascio.org/committees/ea
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
This program is designed to encourage coordination among state leaders with regard to national standards and best practices in enterprise architecture and governance. By fostering more active relationships, DOJ, the Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative, and state Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and their staff can adopt and coordinate information sharing across all levels of government. State CIOs are responsible for many areas of government, and emphasis on justice specific challenges and planning efforts is increasingly critical to the effectiveness of national programs supported by BJA and stakeholders in the field.

Program Name State Legislative Outreach Support
Grantee National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) (Continuation)
FY 2010 Funding $200,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link www.ojp.gov/bja
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
This program is designed to improve the collaboration with and outreach to state legislative bodies that are responsible for setting state policy and budgets that may support state or local implementation of justice information sharing projects. By continuing the productive partnership between BJA and NCSL, the program will afford an important opportunity to educate and solicit ideas from legislators across the country who have varying perspectives on how best to administer criminal justice programs and technologies and the unique challenges faced in each jurisdiction.

Program Name Tracing Crime Guns
Grantee Competitive
FY 2010 Funding $250,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link www.ojp.gov/bja
Program Contact Tom O'Reilly, (202) 353-8590, Thomas.O'Reilly2@usdoj.gov
Program Description
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives' (ATF) National Tracing Center Division operates eTrace, a web-based tool to enable the secure exchange of data on the origin and use of firearms and gun crime incidents. Recovered firearms traced by law enforcement may be used to link a suspect to a firearm in an investigation, to identify potential firearms traffickers, or to detect patterns in the sources of gun-related crime. This program will support projects to connect multi-state efforts that leverage the eTrace system. Achieving a regional coordination strategy and pilot test, including requisite steps to ensure a high submission rate by all relevant law enforcement agencies to the system, is the goal. An awareness program, technical assistance and/or training in the use of the system, and coordination with relevant Fusion Centers is expected to take place as a critical component of the program.

Program Name Improving Warrant and Disposition Management
Grantee Competitive
FY 2010 Funding $3,500,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link www.ojp.gov/bja
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
Current reporting mechanisms between the court system and the criminal history repository within states vary greatly. Under-reporting of case disposition data is common, and warrant data is often held locally and not made available in a timely manner. Without appropriate and timely access to current warrant, disposition, protection orders, and other relevant data, there remains a threat to public safety, an inability for law enforcement to properly respond to crime and emerging threats, and a challenge for courts to properly link charges with case histories. This program will identify and develop a state-specific information sharing and architecture strategy for improving warrant and disposition management, emphasizing increased information sharing capacity through necessary assessments, common policies, and implementation assistance.

Program Name Supporting Criminal Justice and Social/Family Services for NIEM Implementation
Grantee Competitive
FY 2010 Funding $500,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link http://www.niem.gov
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
This program, to be closely coordinated with OJP's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), will facilitate appropriate partnerships between criminal justice, social services, and juvenile justice agencies. The primary role of the grantee will be to facilitate the operation of the Family Services domain within the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) program. Through the established NIEM governance process, the domain is charged with identifying the information sharing needs of the domain participants, including potential partnerships with other NIEM domains. To date this work has focused primarily on the judicial system and its important role in administering child welfare/protection cases in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Children's Bureau. During the project period that scope will be expanded to include mechanisms by which the adult justice system and juvenile justice systems can collaborate to further improve social and family services to citizens. These requirements will then be incorporated into the NIEM data model as necessary to support operational data sharing between criminal justice agencies and their juvenile, social, and family service agency counterparts in the field.

Program Name Criminal Justice and Health Collaboration
Grantee Competitive
FY 2010 Funding $500,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link http://www.ojp.gov/BJA
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
There is increasing national awareness of the need to build effective partnerships between the criminal justice and health and human service communities. Through support of information sharing between these groups, criminal justice agencies will be better equipped to serve the needs of communities, make informed enforcement and adjudication decisions, and promote effective treatment and social service options. This program will solicit local subject matter experts that will serve both as a focus group to identify potential information sharing opportunities, as well as implementers that will pilot the use of identified common standards across both domains. An example of a targeted outcome under this project includes improving information exchanges between Reentry service providers and staff from corrections, probation, parole, and law enforcement agencies. Participants will be chosen based on ability and readiness to carry out proposed strategies effectively. All program activities must be conducted in consultation with BJA and other national partners as appropriate to ensure deliverables are complementary to ongoing information sharing efforts.

Program Name Corrections Information Sharing Implementation Program
Grantee Competitive
FY 2010 Funding $700,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link http://www.ojp.gov/BJA
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
This program will act as the implementation phase of current efforts to establish effective reentry strategies through improved corrections information sharing. This funding is specifically designed to support pilot implementation within jurisdictions that possess the capacity to engage law enforcement collaboratively and demonstrate results for evaluation and later replication. The applicant's proposal should include collaboration with law enforcement and corrections practitioners in the field, as well as established national leadership organizations, such as the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) and the Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA).

Program Name Law Enforcement and Public Safety Data Interoperability
Grantee IJIS Institute (Continuation)
FY 2010 Funding $350,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link http://www.ijis.org/_programs/public_safety.html
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
Fire and Emergency Management Services (EMS) agencies use Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems that are similar in function to those of law enforcement, and increasingly they are converging to use the same system. This program will assist in upgrading the Law Enforcement CAD Functional Specifications to include Fire/EMS interface points; identifying and developing priority exchanges using NIEM/JRA; and supporting the implementation of updates to the specifications and exchange standards in the field to demonstrate capacity. This will enable law enforcement to improve operations and communicate more effectively and directly with other responders and public safety agencies.

Program Name Information Sharing and Privacy Policy Academy
Grantee National Governors Association (NGA)
FY 2010 Funding $400,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link http://www.nga.org
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
The National Governors Association will focus its policy academy methodology toward applying the resources developed toward information sharing and privacy policy development by the Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative (Global), previous NGA Policy Academies, and elsewhere to practical use in the field. Use of common information sharing best practices, including the Justice Reference Architecture (JRA), National Information Exchange Model (NIEM), and others, will be critical to promoting comprehensive, statewide efforts to improve the operation and cost effectiveness of the criminal justice system.

Training and Technical Assistance

Program Name Justice Information Sharing (JIS) Training and Technical Assistance
Grantee SEARCH Group, Inc.
FY 2010 Funding $1,000,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link www.ojp.gov/bja
Program Contact David Lewis, (202) 616-7829, David.P.Lewis@usdoj.gov
Program Description
This program will provide training and technical assistance services on a variety of criminal justice topics related to information sharing. This could potentially include multiple projects to address specific training needs in areas such as data standards, service oriented architecture, federated identity, or privacy and security policy implementation. The program will seek experienced national partner organizations with the demonstrated capacity to provide national scope services to assist justice practitioners in understanding and implementing information sharing capabilities.

Program Name National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) Training and Technical Assistance
Grantee IJIS Institute (Continuation)
FY 2010 Funding $1,550,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link www.niem.gov/training.php
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
The project will continue the NIEM Practical Implementers Training Course and the online (eLearning) version of the course that can be completed on demand by users anywhere in the world. In addition, the recipient will support the National Information Sharing Standards (NISS) Helpdesk and Knowledgebase, a function that assists field practitioners through providing an online catalog of implementation questions and answers, as well as one-on-one email support for implementation questions.

Program Name Justice Information Sharing Training and Technical Assistance for Tribal Lands
Grantee Competitive
FY 2010 Funding $1,000,000
OJP Sponsor BJA
Web Link www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA
Program Contact Chris Traver, (202) 307-2963, Christopher.Traver@usdoj.gov
Program Description
Tribal jurisdictions face unique policy and legal challenges in their ability to coordinate and share critical data within and beyond tribal agencies. In addition, tribes often lack the technical capacity and financial support needed to address ongoing public safety and crime issues, particularly when it comes to technology adoption and advanced information sharing techniques. This program will seek to improve the operation of tribal criminal justice agencies nationwide through direct training and technical support to enhance access and analysis of information across jurisdictions. Applicants should demonstrate both the capacity to address recurring criminal justice and technology issues, as well as the ability to understand, assess, and implement solutions based on the unique needs of tribal lands nationwide and their partners.

SORT BY:

Section 10

Innovations in Justice Information Sharing

Overview

Discretionary Programs

Training and Technical Assistance

Research and Statistical Programs