The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Council is comprised of up to 33 citizens, system professionals, and youth members, who are appointed by the governor and charged with the responsibility of administering the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act program.

The Council is responsible for:

• Setting funding priorities
• Approving and denying grant applications under each program (Formula Grants, Title V, and Challenge)
• Developing recommendations to the governor on the state of juvenile justice and suggestions on how to improve the system
• Monitoring justice trends
• Approving an annual juvenile justice plan
• Funding and policy decisions

The business of the council is conducted by committees which focus on specific issues and activities and meet throughout the year. They include: Minority Over Representation, Mental Health, Youth, and Executive Committees.