Our Purpose
The Office of Justice Policy and Programs (OJPP) serves as the Metropolitan County Criminal Justice Services Agency for Franklin County and is directed by oversight of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and the Franklin County Criminal Justice Planning Board.
OJPP has responsibility for all County initiatives regarding Justice Grants, reentry planning and program recommendations, domestic violence/intimate partner violence prevention and services, and national Stepping Up and Data Driven Justice involvement. OJPP also staffs the Franklin County Reentry Advisory Board and represents the County on various local, state, and national organizations, committees, and initiatives.
Coordinating Boards
Our office is home to different coordinating boards that assist in the short and long-term planning of our agency.
Criminal Justice Planning Board
The purpose of the Criminal Justice Planning Board is to exercise leadership in improving the quality of the criminal and juvenile justice systems in Franklin County. Quarterly meetings of the CJPB are open to the public.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code §5502.65 (formerly ORC §181.55(C)), the Franklin County Criminal Justice Planning Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, shall:
- Exercise leadership in improving the quality of the criminal justice systems in Franklin County;
- Review, approve, and maintain general oversight of the Comprehensive Strategic Plan and the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Plan;
- Review and comment on the overall needs and accomplishments of the criminal and juvenile justice systems in Franklin County.
Members of the Board are appointed by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners biennially.
Listed below are the 2025 meeting dates and all meeting times are 2:00pm - 4:00pm held in Meeting Room A located on the 1st floor of 369 S. High St, Columbus, Ohio, 43215:
- Q1: 3/19/25
- Q2: 5/15/25 (Strategic Planning Retreat)
- Q3: 8/20/25
- Q4: 11/5/25
Resources
Below, you will find various opportunities to learn more about the resources our office is involved with, ranging from grant opportunities to community programs.
Justice Grant Opportunities
The Office of Justice Policy and Programs is the fiduciary agent and grant administrator for the County's major federal funding for law enforcement, prosecution, crime prevention and education, and technology improvement. Learn more about the different grants below by visiting our grants page:
- Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
- Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention (Title II)
- Violence Against Women (VAWA)
- Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison (TCAP)
Pathways - Transformational Programming
Pathways participants are showing significant reductions in recidivism and significant increases in healthy living and pro-social behavior participation. Visit the Pathways Program page below to learn more!
Stepping Up Initiative
The Stepping Up Initiative is a national initiative targeted at reducing the number of people with mental illnesses in jails. Visit the Stepping Up page below to learn more!
Questions? Contact us!