Introduction

The Office of Justice Programs utilizes volunteer reviewers as part of some grant proposal review processes. Volunteers typically find this to be a valuable and interesting exercise. Review teams may include parents, educators, youth workers, county attorneys, social service workers, juvenile justice service providers, public health specialists, law enforcement representatives, evaluators, state agency representatives, civic, business, and faith community members, and other community members. Review teams consist of 4-8 reviewers with each team reviewing the same packet of 8-10 proposals to read and score. To avoid obvious conflicts of interest, reviewers are sent proposals from geographic areas other than their own. Recommendations from review teams are then evaluated by state agency staff. Final funding decisions are based on reviewer recommendations and consideration of geographic distribution and other funding requirements.

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