The JAG Innovation Fund is an initiative launched in 2023 within Washington’s overall JAG strategy. For the purposes of this initiative, innovative projects are new approaches, or adapted efforts based on lessons learned from existing programs and projects, within communities. Innovative projects will offer fresh perspectives in an effort to advance criminal legal system improvement and community health and safety. Projects funded by the JAG Innovation Fund will work at the local, regional or state level to address emerging needs, and implement best practices or new ideas. The intent of the JAG Innovation Fund is for the provision of resources for new and/or adaptive efforts within the JAG Purpose Areas. The JAG Innovation Fund is a key component of Washington’s JAG Strategic Plan and aligns with Washington’s JAG mission of “advancing criminal legal system improvement in Washington state by investing in innovative, sustainable, and data-driven practices to enhance community safety, increase collaboration and support victims of crime and those involved in the criminal legal system.” JAG Innovation Fund Priorities: The JAG Innovation Fund will provide awards for projects proposed through this solicitation that are within one or more of the JAG Purpose Areas (listed above in Section 1.1), and align with any of the following: • Organizational or program capacity building • New ideas, projects or promising practices • Enhancing system and community collaborations • Expanding or supplementing existing programs or practices • Strategic planning processes, and data collection and evaluation
