strategic planning; evidence-based practices; focus group; National Criminal Justice Association; National Center for Justice Planning; NCJA; NCJP

State Administering Agencies (SAAs) play a pivotal role in developing and implementing state and local criminal justice policy. SAAs conduct strategic planning, administer federal and state grants, and evaluate program effectiveness. In total, SAAs manage over $1.2 billion annually in federal grants, including the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant, Violence Against Women Act STOP, Residential Substance Abuse Treatment, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, and Victims of Crime Act funds.