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10K views 24 replies 9 participants last post by  kwflatbed 
#1 ·
#3 ·
Good post Harry
Kate!

If you're interested, I know a Sergeant at Massasoit who went to Grant Writing School back in 2005. Since then she was able to obtain some Nomex gloves for the Massasoit SRT Team. Well...now that I think of it, I heard OB kinda sorta polished it a little.
 
#7 ·
Since I was fortunate enough to receive some valuable information about grantwriting training/resources from a fellow MassCops member a couple years ago, seeing this topic is a good oppurtunity to pass similar info along to others.

Based on a recomendation from a one of the MassCops members I took a grantwriting course through The Grantsmanship Center (TGCI) in October of 2006. It is a 40 hour course and the major project is a grant proposal, which can be an active grant for your department/organization or assist someone else with a grant.

I opted to attend the course at their headquarters in sunny California with free acomodations from some relatives who live in the area. That being said, they do offer the courses all over the country.

Also, with an alumni membership you get one free grant review a year plus access to a very well organized website with many many grant resources.

Their website is www.tgci.com if anyone is interested.
 
#8 ·
Agencies get guidance for winning DHS grants

By Alice Lipowicz
Washington Technology

WASHINGTON, D.C. - State and local agencies seeking a share of the $3 billion in Homeland Security Department grants should make priorities of protecting against improvised explosives, creating preparedness plans and aligning with the National Preparedness Guidelines, according to guidance released by DHS.

The department's goal is to allocate 25 percent of total grant funding for those three issues this year.

Since 2003, DHS has awarded billions of dollars to state and local agencies to help them boost their preparedness. A substantial portion of those awards are spent on contractor goods and services, including information technology systems and services for surveillance, situational awareness, communication, command and control, intrusion detection and identification management.

This year, money will flow to states and territories, urban areas, transit systems and law enforcement agencies, among others.

The grant programs include:

State Homeland Security Program - $862.9 million. Funding flows to 56 states and territories based on a combination of risk and effectiveness.

Urban Areas Security Initiative - $781.6 million. Directs funding to high-risk urban areas based on risk and effectiveness.

Metropolitan Medical Response System Program - $39.8 million. Assists designated metropolitan areas in preparing for an attack or disaster that results in mass casualties.

Citizen Corps Program - $14.5 million. Supports citizen volunteer preparedness activities in 56 states and territories.

Transit Security Grant Program - $388.6 million. Awarded to owners and operators of transit systems, including buses, rails and ferries. Programs include intrusion detection, surveillance and deterrence.

Port Security Grant Program - $388.6 million. Supports risk-based efforts to enhance access control and credentialing, protect against IED and other nonconventional attacks, and conduct disaster-response scenarios.

Buffer Zone Protection Program - $48.5 million. Funds projects to protect perimeters of critical infrastructure sites, including chemical facilities, nuclear and electric power plants, dams, stadiums, arenas and other high-risk areas.

Trucking Security Program - $15.5 million. Supports recruitment of highway professionals, including carriers and drivers, to participate in anti-terrorism awareness programs.

Intercity Bus Security Grant Program - $11.1 million. Priorities include facility, driver and vehicle security enhancements; emergency communications technology; training; and screening of passengers and baggage.

Emergency Management Performance Grants $291.4 million. Supports state and local emergency management programs.

Operation Stonegarden Grants - $60 million. Designated for border jurisdictions.

Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program - $60 million. Enhances planning in designated urban areas.

Real ID Systems Integration and Data Verification Grant Program - $48.5 million. Funding to assist states in implementing standards for driver's licenses as mandated under the Real ID Act of 2005.

Urban Areas Security Initiative Nonprofit Security Grant Program - $15 million. Provides funding to nonprofit organizations considered at high risk for international terrorist attacks.

Wire Service
 
#9 ·
2008 Grants Overview Webcast

2008 promises to provide significant opportunities to access funding for technology projects in a variety of areas, including law enforcement, education, economic development, healthcare, and emergency management. Hear Grants Office CEO Michael Paddock discuss the programs and opportunities that can fund technology solutions for your local needs in 2008. This webcast covers the range of federal agencies that provide funding and an overview of pass-through procedures for a variety of programs.

Listen Now!
 
#10 ·
The Nuts and Bolts of 2008 Homeland Security Funding Webcast

The Nuts and Bolts of 2008 Homeland Security Funding
Sponsored by Cisco


Original Broadcast:
DATE: Wednesday, April 9th
TIME: 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST

Download this Webinar now - Click Here

The many changes to the Homeland Security Grants for 2008 are coming to fruition in the form of processes and procedures across the states and within DHS.

Listen as Grants Office CEO Michael Paddock discusses:

- Emerging processes and procedures for inclusion in a homeland security application
- How you can make your state's or urban area's application more competitive
- Alternative ways to advocate for your project at the regional and state level

The Nuts and Bolts of 2008 Homeland Security Funding
Sponsored by Cisco
 
#11 ·
Law Enforcement Grants
with Michael Paddock

Public Safety Funding Still Active among SLG Customers

Now that the Homeland Security Grants are past, a number of public safety-related, non-DHS programs have been announced for the May-June time frame. They are:
      1. COPS Tribal Resources Grant Program (TRGP) - Due June 13
      2. Emergency Management for Higher Education Grants - Due May 27
      3. Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Local Program - Anticipated July 2 Deadline
      4. COPS Secure Our Schools (SOS) Grant Program - Due June 13
These programs cover general law enforcement agencies, tribes, schools, and colleges. Chances are, there's a grant that will fit your project!
The COPS Tribal Resources Grants are provided directly to tribal law enforcement agencies for areas such as hiring additional officers, law enforcement training, uniforms, basic-issue equipment, emerging technologies, and police vehicles. All Indian tribes that have been "federally recognized" by the BIA and have established police departments are eligible to apply. The amount of funding for which an agency is eligible to apply is determined by the number of sworn officers that the agency currently employs. Tier I: Agencies with 20 or fewer officers may apply for up to $200,000; Tier II: Agencies with more than 20 officers may apply for up to $400,000. TRGP funds are for one-time purchases for allowable costs incurred during the first 24 months following the grant award start date unless an extension for additional time is granted. For more information, contact the Grants Office Helpdesk at 585-472-1430. You can find additional information on the program at www.cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=1428

TheEmergency Management for Higher Education Grants support efforts by higher education institutions to develop, or review and improve, and fully integrate campus-based all-hazards emergency management planning efforts for higher education institutions, including coordination of planning and communication across all relevant components, offices, and departments of the campus, coordination with local and state government emergency management efforts. Eighteen awards are anticipated, ranging from $50,000 to a maximum of $500,000. Project periods are for up to 18 months. For more information, contact the Grants Office Helpdesk at 585-472-1430. You can find additional information on the program at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-8954.pdf

The Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Local Program funds are very flexible and can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of JAG Program's six purpose areas: (1) law enforcement programs; (2) prosecution and court programs; (3) prevention and education programs; (4) corrections and community corrections programs; (5) drug treatment programs; and (6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs. Note: The FY 2008 local solicitation has not been released yet. For the FY 2007 local solicitation, applications were due July 2, 2007. A July deadline is anticipated until an actual deadline is announced. For more information, contact the Grants Office Helpdesk at 585-472-1430. You can find additional information on the program at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/jag.html

TheCOPS Secure Our Schools (SOS) Grant Program provides funding to local governments to assist with the development of school safety resources. This funding will allow recipients the opportunity to establish and enhance a variety of school safety equipment and/or programs to encourage the continuation and enhancement of school safety efforts within their communities. Funding under this program may be used for such things as: (1) Placement and use of metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures; (2) Security assessments; (3) Security training of personnel and students; (4) Coordination with local law enforcement; (5) Any other measure that may provide a significant improvement in security (including technology). Note: If applying online, the applicant must register by May 30, 2008, and applications must be postmarked or submitted online via Grants.gov on or before June 13, 2008. For more information, contact the Grants Office Helpdesk at 585-472-1430. You can find additional information on the program at www.cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=46|

Give some thought to which of these programs would best fit with a project you have in the works or just call the helpdesk and we'll work with you to figure it out!

Michael Paddock serves both as Chief Executive Officer of Grants Office, a national grant development services firm, and as Grants Columnist for the award-winning HSToday magazine. In his role at Grants Office, Mr. Paddock consults with dozens of state and local governments and international agencies on homeland security funding. He contributes regularly to a wide range of publications, and he is a featured speaker at many national conferences specializing in homeland security. Mr. Paddock served from 1996-2001 on the US Interagency Electronic Grants Committee and co-founded the New York State E-grants Project in 1999. His article "Funding the First 72 Hours" was recently accepted as a reference within the National Blueprint for Secure Communities, a joint project of the National Council on Readiness and Preparedness and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

http://www.policeone.com/Grants/art...ety-Funding-Still-Active-among-SLG-Customers/
 
#12 ·
Law Enforcement Grants
with Michael Paddock

15 FAQs for Law Enforcement

1. Where does grant funding come from?

Public safety funding comes from two primary sources, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice. Although additional funding for various elements of public safety may come from other agencies, these two provide the bulk of funding to police departments across the country.
The funding actually comes through grant programs administered by each of these agencies. Most grant programs are focused on a particular issue, topic, or agency type, such as the Methamphetamine Enforcement Grants or COPS Technology Grants, but other grants may be more general, as the Homeland Security Grants Program and Justice Assistance Grants demonstrate.

2. Who can receive funding?

While all types of organizations are eligible to receive funding, eligibility to apply for and receive funding through a grant program is usually established by the authorizing statute that defines that program. The Small Business Innovation Research grants are set aside for small businesses, for example, while the Public Safety Interoperable Communications grants could go to nearly any agency engaged in a public safety function.

3. How can I apply for a grant?

Any agency engaged in public safety can apply for a grant. The important first step is to identify the best program to apply under. Several elements will determine whether a particular program is a good fit for your project, including:
  • Total funding available - gives you an idea how broad the program will be and how competitive
  • Application burden - some programs require 100 page narrative, while others may look for 10 pages or less.
  • Matching requirements - some programs require a dollar for dollar match, while others may require a 5% match or no cost sharing at all.
  • Scale - your customer probably won't want to write 100 $5,000 requests to get a $500,000 project funded.
  • Collaboration/partnering requirements - some grants applications require an organization to work in collaboration with others, which complicates the application process.
  • Lead time - more lead time generally means more time to develop the project - six weeks is good, and three weeks is almost essential.
  • Track record with the funder - generally more important for local funders than federal sources, but a consideration nonetheless.
Once you've decided upon a program that fits with your project objectives, you'll need to prepare an application to the program. Be sure to follow all the application requirements provided by the agency, since a failure to do so may result in your proposal being returned without review.

Full Article: http://www.policeone.com/Grants/articles/1693132-15-FAQs-for-Law-Enforcement/
 
#13 ·
Anyone know of any grants for firearms training? Most departments only qualify once a year and I would think their would be something out there in regards to advanced tactical firearms training.
 
#14 ·
Anyone know of any grants for firearms training? Most departments only qualify once a year and I would think their would be something out there in regards to advanced tactical firearms training.
How the hell are you? Hope all is well.

Trying to get grants for firearms training is tough. The best way to go about it right now is to try to organize something with your neighboring towns in the area of active shooter/terrorist response training. If you make it multi-jurisdictional and tie it into the schools your chances of getting approved are greatly increased. I would propose asking the STOP Team to come out conduct their Active Shooter Program followed up by a day of live fire exercises on the range that you could run. Your grant request can cover O.T. costs, Equipment (Simunitions/Ammo), and anything else you would need to make it happen.

Hope this helps...
 
#16 ·
Here is one I found recently;

Dateline: Oct. 10, 2008 Kalamazoo Michigan

Phone: 888.949.3835 ext 708 Fax: 954.793.4944


$5.6 Million Award to Improve Massachusetts
Statewide Crash Reporting System.
Software Award Will Enhance Massachusetts Public Safety While Reducing Waste, Paperwork, Saving Tax Payers over $50 Million
Kalamazoo Michigan, Oct. 17, 2008 -- IyeTek LLC announced today an award of more than $5 million in licensing rights to Massachusetts's fourteen counties.
The award will result in automating and improving the quality of Massachusetts's crash records statewide. The award marks the second award of its kind offered and
part of a nationwide $150 million green technology improvement effort. "This nation's systems for processing crash reports cost taxpayers millions each week and waste
time and resources as well", said Christopher Hood iyeTek's National Grant Manager. "High costs to taxpayers have been amplified in Massachusetts by pending budget
cutbacks". The awards will help Massachusetts continue to make communities safe by improving traffic enforcement and processing procedures. Massachusetts's award
will help reduce the number of clerical errors while reducing paper consumption, processing and data entry cost by over 80%. Award amounts are determined by the condition
of each county's records, amount of funding requested, and the impact improvements will have on the availability of records submitted to the state crash system.

iyeTek's crash software will integrate criminal history checks during traffic stops and use modern voice technology. Complete, accurate, and accessible records permit law
enforcement officials to know if individuals questioned or detained have criminal histories. Voice features help officers remain focused on suspects instead of computer screens.
Other features are electronic citation system, signature and fingerprint capture, auto-population of driver information and a host of other patrol car automation features. iyeTek software
reduces by 70% the time required for the typical traffic stop. Massachusetts law enforcement agencies will also have nationwide data and information sharing features not typically available from patrol cars.

About iyeTek:
iyeTek is a next generation software development company with expertise in form based products and data integration. iyeTek provides Law Enforcement hands on knowledge and experience together
with developers of the latest police technologies. iyeTek is focused solely on the Public Safety marketplace for more information contact: Salman Anwar 4664 Campus Drive, Ste 100 Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Tel No: (888) 949.3835 Ext. 701 Web Site: http://www.iyeTek.com
 
#17 ·
DOJ announces procedures to obtain Byrne Grant funds in stimulus package

Details continue to emerge on how the $787 billion economic stimulus package signed into law last month will affect police officers and law enforcement agencies. In a ceremony held in Columbus, Ohio late last week, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder joined President Obama in announcing $2 billion in funding allocations available through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.
"This funding is key to helping our states and local governments fight crime and keep our streets safe," Attorney General Holder said. "The Department of Justice is moving ahead of schedule to allocate these resources so we can retain police officers, enhance law enforcement capabilities, and ensure that we have the tools and equipment necessary to build safer communities."
JAG Program funds can be used for a variety of efforts such as hiring law enforcement officers; supporting drug and gang task forces; funding crime prevention and domestic violence programs; and supporting courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives.
In documentation outlining the procedures to apply for this funding, the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs said that the allocation of JAG grants is "based on a formula of population and violent crime statistics, in combination with a minimum allocation to ensure that each state and territory receives an appropriate share of funding. Sixty percent of the allocation is awarded directly to a state and 40 percent is set aside for units of local government. Funding will be used by states and more than 5,000 local communities to enhance their ability to protect communities and combat crime."

Application eligibility, procedures, and important deadlines

• Applicants are "limited to units of local government listed in the Recovery Act JAG allocation list for JAG funds"
• The breakdown of JAG allocations for states, territories, and units of local government can be viewed by clicking here
• Applications must be submitted through OJP's Grants Management System (GMS)
• Registration with OJP's Grants Management System is required prior to application submission
• Applicants must obtain a "DUNS number" from Dun and Bradstreet prior to application submission
• Applicants, including those applying through GMS, must register with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database
• All applications are due by 2000 hrs. (Eastern Time) on May 18, 2009

Matching funders' priorities wins grants

"Because of the competitive nature of grants the applications that best fit the funders' priorities will receive awards," Margaret Stark, a consultant who specializes in helping public safety agencies navigate the grant-writing process, told PoliceOne in an exclusive interview. "A needs-assessment is simply a prioritized list of the agency's needs. This list is a valuable asset for your grant writer or grants team when identifying funding and choosing which grants are the best fit for your department."
Since much of this funding will still be competitive, Stark said, agencies should also ensure that the individuals writing their grants are "at the top of their game."
"It would be advantageous to take advantage of grant assistance and training to maximize their chances of awards. In addition, agencies will need to have a clear needs-assessment for their agencies to ensure the funding will be used for the most critical needs within their departments," Stark told PoliceOne.

Recovery Act aimed at creating jobs

Among the stated purposes of the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," the preservation and creation of jobs are considered paramount. The stimulus package contains about $4B intended to help state, local, and tribal police prevent crime and improve the criminal justice system in the United States, "while supporting the creation of jobs and much needed resources for states and local communities."
In an attempt to highlight that prioritization, the ceremony at which these JAG Program details were announced included 25 Columbus, Ohio police recruits who had learned earlier this year that they would be let go rather than sworn-in. Because of Recovery Act JAG funds, these officers will keep their jobs protecting their community.

Law Enforcement in the stimulus package

$1 billion to fund local police officers through Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program-these grants will fund an estimated 5,500 local police officers through the COPS Hiring Recovery Program

$2 billion for Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants-this funding is "allocated by formula to State and local law enforcement agencies to help prevent, fight, and prosecute crime"

$225 million for Byrne competitive grants-these are "peer-reviewed giants to units of State, local, and tribal government, and to national, regional, and local non-profit organizations to prevent crime, improve the administration of justice, provide services to victims of crime, support critical nurturing and mentoring of at-risk children and youth, and for other similar activities"

$125 million Rural Law Enforcement-these monies are intended to "combat the persistent problems of drug-related crime in rural America. Funds will be available on a competitive basis for drug enforcement and other law enforcement activities in rural states and rural areas, including for the hiring of police officers and for community drug prevention and treatment programs"

$40 million for Southwest Border/Project Gunrunner-these competitive grants are "for programs that provide assistance and equipment to local law enforcement along the Southem border or in High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas to combat criminal narcotic activity, of which $10,000,000 shall be available, by transfer, to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for Project Gunrunner"

$100 million for Victims Compensation-in the form of "formula grants to be administered through the Justice Department's Office for Victims of Crime to support State compensation and assistance programs for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, drunk driving, homicide, and other Federal and state crimes"
$225 million for Tribal Law Enforcement Assistance-these grants are targeted to "assist American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, to be distributed under the guidelines set forth by the Correctional Facilities on Tribal Lands program. The Department is directed to coordinate with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and to consider the following in the grant approval process: (1) the detention bed space needs of an applicant tribe; and (2) the violent crime statistics of the tribe"

$50 million for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force-this money is set aside to help State and local law enforcement agencies enhance investigative responses to offenders who use the Internet, online communication systems, or other computer technology to sexually exploit children

Contacts for assistance and additional information

The BJA toll-free phone number is 1-866-268-0079. A BJA E-mail account, JAGRecovery@usdoj.gov, will be checked hourly and a "response will be provided within one business day." You may also contact a BJA State Policy Advisor at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/resource/stcont.htm, or Eileen M. Garry, Deputy Director for Programs, at 202-307-6226 or eileen.garry@usdoj.gov. For technical assistance with submitting the application, call the GMS Support Hotline at 1-888-549-9901, option 3.
 
#18 ·
DOJ issues guidance on obtaining Byrne-JAG funding in the 2009 Recovery Act

The Department of Justice recently issued some additional guidance intended to help decision-makers and grant-writers at state and local law enforcement agencies to best understand the process through which they can apply for 2009 Recovery Act Allocations for Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. There are some "significant differences" between the Byrne/JAG awards in the so-called economic stimulus package and JAG funds agencies have applied for in years past. These differences include (but are not limited to):

1) An increased emphasis on job creation and job retention
2) Submission of particular certifications specified in the solicitation
3) Time-specific quarterly progress reports due 10 days after the end of a quarter
4) Specific Recovery Act performance measures
5) Increased federal grant oversight
In the recently released guidance from the DOJ, it was noted that JAG monies associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 are not available to "local governments that have not reported at least three years of data (within the last 10 years for which UCR data are available) on Part I violent crimes of the UCR to the FBI are ineligible for direct Recovery JAG local formula funding. As a transition to implementing the grant program, the law permitted Recovery JAG units of local government during 2006, 2007, and 2008 to qualify for Recovery JAG formula funds based on the last three years of UCR data which they had submitted, in any prior years."
The DOJ documentation also includes a catch-all caveat that the "JAG solicitation includes specific information on these differences and additional requirements." Translated, this means that there's plenty of fine print in the Recovery Act, and grant writers at agencies across the country will have to think-and do things-a little differently that they've done in the past. Since much of the Byrne/JAG funding will be granted on a competitive basis, agencies should ensure that the individuals writing their grants are at the top of their game. This could require getting them trained up, and the timeframe to do that is extremely limited.
Margaret Stark, a consultant who helps public safety agencies navigate the waters of grant applications, recently told PoliceOne that they should take advantage of grant assistance and training to maximize their chances of winning awards. "In addition, agencies will need to have a clear needs-assessment for their agencies to ensure the funding will be used for the most critical needs within their departments," Stark told PoliceOne.

Tailor your "pitch"
The stimulus package specifically reserves a total of about $4B intended to help state, local, and tribal police prevent crime and improve the criminal justice system in the United States, "while supporting the creation of jobs and much needed resources for states and local communities." Among all of the stated purposes of the stimulus package, the preservation and creation of jobs is considered to be paramount.
In fact, included in documents issued in conjunction with the announcement that the DOJ had begun to accept JAG applications was the statement: "As one of its many elements, the Recovery Act provides the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with funding for grants to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement (including support for hiring), to combat violence against women, to fight internet crimes against children, to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, to assist victims of crime, and to support youth mentoring. DOJ is committed to working with our national, state, local and tribal partners to ensure this funding invests in the American workforce."
For law enforcement, the funds in the Recovery Act most directly connected with jobs is the roughly $1 billion in COPS funding, all of which is required to go to jobs. But there are ways to tie your applications for JAG grants to the creation and retention of jobs. For starters, if the equipment for which you are seeking funding is made in the U.S.A., you'd be crazy to not note that in your application.

Time is of the essence
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder recently said that because the estimated $2 billion in Byrne JAG grant funding is formula-based, agencies will be able to "access these much needed resources quickly." Attorney General Holder suggested that once the DOJ receives applications, "we will start getting the money out the door within fifteen days."
That formula, according to documentation outlining the procedures to apply for this funding, is based on population and violent crime statistics, in combination with a minimum allocation to ensure that each state and territory receives an appropriate share of funding. Sixty percent of the allocation is awarded directly to a state and 40 percent is set aside for units of local government.
"This funding is key to helping our states and local governments fight crime and keep our streets safe," A.G. Holder recently said, adding that the DOJ is "moving ahead of schedule to allocate these resources so we can retain police officers, enhance law enforcement capabilities, and ensure that we have the tools and equipment necessary to build safer communities."
"We will be smart in the way we allocate these resources," Holder said, "and we will hold ourselves accountable for the how the funds are spent, but we will ensure that their delivery is not delayed by bureaucratic red tape in Washington."

Additional information and contacts for assistance
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.

The BJA toll-free phone number is 1-866-268-0079. A BJA E-mail account, JAGRecovery@usdoj.gov, will be checked hourly and a "response will be provided within one business day."

You may also contact a BJA State Policy Advisor at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/resource/stcont.htm, or Eileen M. Garry, Deputy Director for Programs, at 202-307-6226 or eileen.garry@usdoj.gov.

For technical assistance with submitting the application, call the GMS Support Hotline at 1-888-549-9901 (choose option 3).

DOJ issues guidance on obtaining Byrne-JAG funding in the 2009 Recovery Act
 
#20 ·
why don't sheriff's departments simply concern themselves with incarceration and civil matters ?????? any PD that "needs" them to take pictures or fingerprints is being misguided ...it is not by-pass surgery, you are quite capable of doing it...or call a neighboring community or CPAC... sheriff departments fool the Feds to obtain grants that are meant for police...if the MSP can't or wont step up to keep police business in-house, then maybe regionalization of municipal pd's is appropriate
 
#21 ·
Byrne/JAG grant application deadline is extended to June 17

WASHINGTON - The Department of Justice has extended the deadline date for police agencies to apply for funds in the Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Formula Program.
The new application deadline is 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 17, 2009 (the original deadline had been May 18). DOJ's Bureau of Justice Assistance explained on its Web site that it had established the previous deadline "to encourage early submission of applications in an effort to provide economic stimulus as soon as possible."
Because this is a non-competitive formula grant program, the extension of this deadline does not impact either eligibility or funding determinations.
As has previously been reported by PoliceOne, some experts have voiced concern that the volume of applications might overwhelm the staff at DOJ tasked with reviewing and approving grant requests. This is because the number of COPS and Byrne/JAG grants administered at the state and federal level has shrunk dramatically, and so too has the number of people processing grant applications. As a consequence, handlers at the DOJ could be paralyzed by paperwork.
On the other side of that coin, the daunting task of submitting these grant proposals may not have been achievable in the relatively short timeframe given to agency grant writers and decision makers. Remember, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (a.k.a. the "Recovery Act" a.k.a. the "Stimulus Package") wasn't signed into law by President Obama until mid-February. In early March, the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs issued documentation outlining the procedures to apply for this funding, and later that month, DOJ followed up with additional guidance intended to state and local law enforcement agencies through the Byrne/JAG applications process.
"I think the JAG/Byrne extension is primarily an effort to take time pressure off everyone involved - both DOJ, which is quite busy, and the local agencies," said Rick Wimberly, President of Galain Solutions, a consultancy serving public safety organizations. "The original deadline was quite optimistic in the first place. When a department decides to apply for one of these grants, it normally takes approval from the department's local governing body, which takes time. Some governing bodies don't meet but once a month."
Margaret Stark, a consultant who helps public safety agencies navigate the waters of grant applications, agrees. "My opinion is that they were not getting enough applications. This program was opened with no warning or notice, the deadline was tight with about 30 days to submit. Agencies were not aware of this funding and had no time to react. Since this is a formula grant nothing changes for the agencies - not the amount they can receive or how it can be used. Extending the deadline will just give agencies that have not applied enough time to get an application in and take advantage of this funding."
Stark and Wimberly both told PoliceOne that the announced deadline extension does not indicate any change in the grants themselves. There's no change in the number or type of funding opportunities, or in the eligibility requirements placed on interested agencies - just more time to apply.

Some $trings Attached

All federal grant money comes with some type of strings attached, and Byrne/JAG grants are certainly no exception.
"Applicants need to remember that the JAG funds through economic stimulus have additional stipulations on them," Wimberly told PoliceOne. He added that JAG funds coming from the economic stimulus package have some extra emphasis beyond the crime-fighting objectives of Byrne/JAG grants that agencies have obtained in the past. "The JAG money under economic stimulus must fulfill some of the general recovery act objectives."
To Wimberly's point, it bears repeating that the stated objectives of the stimulus package (as enumerated by the Department of Justice in the original announcement issued about the Byrne/JAG elements of the 2009 Recovery Act) are to:
• Preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery
• Assist those most impacted by the recession
• Provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health
• Invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits
• Stabilize state and local government budgets
In addition, the DOJ recently noted that there are "significant differences" between the Byrne/JAG awards in the so-called economic stimulus package and JAG funds agencies have applied for in years past. These differences include but are not limited to:
• An increased emphasis on job creation and job retention
• Submission of particular certifications specified in the solicitation
• Time-specific quarterly progress reports due 10 days after the end of a quarter
• Specific Recovery Act performance measures
• Increased federal grant oversight
That said, no matching funds are required with the Byrne/JAG program and the range of uses for the available funds is very broad.
"Priority will still be given to projects that stimulate the economy such as hiring but with a formula grant priorities don't really come into play. In other words, with a formula grant you are allocated a set amount all you need to do is apply."
In effect, there is a lot of potential upside with comparatively low downside.

About the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program

The Byrne/JAG program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Law enforcement agencies seeking to support their missions of protecting their communities have turned to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program for many years. Named for NYPD Officer Edward R. Byrne, who was killed in the line of duty in the small hours of February 26, 1988, it has been more than two decades since state and local law enforcement first began applying for the program named after this fallen hero.
"JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multijurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives," according to the DOJ. "JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures."

Byrne/JAG grant application deadline is extended to June 17
 
#22 ·
Update on ARRA funding for police departments

By Melissa Winesburg-Ankrom
PoliceOne Contributor
Many law enforcement agencies applied for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funds. The Department of Justice will complete its awards to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies across the country this week. In February, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) announced that stimulus grant funds totaling over $3.77 billion were available for local law enforcement. The law enforcement grant programs included the Justice Assistance Grant local grants, Justice Assistance Grant , Byrne Competitive grants, Rural Law Enforcement, the Southern Border and High Intensity Drug Trafficking (HIDTA) grants, and COPS grants through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

To date, BJA has awarded all of the Edward Byrne Memorial state grants totaling $1.236 billion, and many states have already issued application directives that allow local law enforcement to apply for funds through the state.
  • Of the 3,417 local Justice Assistance Grant applications received by BJA, more than 3K have been awarded, totaling $748,200,711.
  • There is $225 million available in Byrne Competitive funding with 90 awards to date totaling $108,170,570. A total of 3,578 applications were submitted to BJA.
  • The Rural Law Enforcement program was designated for rural states or rural areas to prevent and combat crime. There is $125 million in available funding. To date, 91 awards have been issued totaling $55,753,422. There were 1,153 applications received by the Department of Justice.
  • There were 17 awards totaling $27,232,988 for the Southern Border and HIDTA grants program.
  • The COPS Office issued $1 billion in awards to 1,466 law enforcement agencies on July 28th to hire or preserve 4,699 jobs nationally. There were 7,277 applications submitted.
Law enforcement agencies not receiving COPS funding during this round received a letter notifying them that their applications may be considered for funding in October. There remains approximately $299 million in Edward Byrne Competitive and Rural Law Enforcement funds to be awarded in the next two weeks. This funding will impact law enforcement and criminal justice for years to come.
While this funding is important to law enforcement, organizations receiving funds need to prepare to manage ARRA grants with precision. Programmatic and fiscal staff will need to work closely together to ensure that projects are well managed.
President Obama has made it clear that ARRA funds will be subjected to very close scrutiny and a high level of transparency is expected. Once an award is received, grantees should immediately review all special conditions prior to signing and accepting the award. ARRA federal reporting requirements are outlined in the special conditions.
In addition to the regular semi-annual report requirements, agencies receiving funds should place special emphasis on quarterly reporting required through the Federal Reporting Center. Any agency receiving and accepting awards prior to September 30th is required to submit their first quarterly report due on October 10th.
Agencies can register at www.FederalReporting.gov. This registration process can take up to eight days. These reports require recipients to document a description of the project, percent of project complete, amount of funds received to date, number and description of jobs created, and description of quarterly activities. Recipients should review the report requirements upon receipt of award so that they are prepared to report the required information quarterly.

Update on ARRA funding for police departments
 
#23 ·
Secrets to Getting Police Grants
with Denise Schlegel

Get a head start: Prepare for grant writing

Your Chief has handed you a funding announcement for a grant and you see that it is due in three weeks. Congratulations, you have been selected to write the grant and "get the money"! As you sit there fingering through the request for proposal, you wonder how much time this is going to take. You are also wondering how you are going to get this done with all of your other duties you have as an officer. You may even be thinking that you haven't a clue how to get started.
A grant is a formal written request for money submitted to a funder for a specific purpose. The process is highly competitive. A strong competitive proposal is a clear, data driven, strategically developed project proposal which fits into your department's goals and objectives. Given these facts, there are many things your department must do to prepare for successful grant writing before the Chief puts a current announcement on your desk.

Full Article:

Get a head start: Prepare for grant writing
 
#24 ·
Grants work if you have a good writer.

Police get money for tech upgrade

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LEOMINSTER - The Police Department will receive 25 desktop computers and 10 laptops for use at the station and in cruisers through a grant from the federal Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill for fiscal 2011, which ended June 30.

Wendy Wiiks, the city's grant administrator, said the new laptops will replace obsolete models that are unable to keep up with software upgrades, and are slow. The desktop computers the department has, she said, are malfunctioning and slow, as well.

The new computers will allow the department to connect to a new virtual server already in place.

The grant is part of $250,000 approved by a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee last month, and announced by U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst. The town of Chester, part of Mr. Olver's district, also got a grant for new police computers.

Police get money for tech upgrade

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Millions well-spent for homeland security?

Posted 3 hour(s) ago
After 14 years of tying on its own, Quincy has finally won part of a $2 million federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security for new patrol boats, cameras and underwater recovery equipment by teaming up with Hingham and Weymouth. The three communities will use the equipment to protect the Fore River Basin. Nearly nine years after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Do you think that federal Homeland Security funds have been well spent? Open this story to take our poll.

Nearly nine years after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Do you think that federal Homeland Security funds have been well spent?

Quincy, Weymouth, Hingham to share nearly $2 million port security grant
 
#25 ·
Grant funding for body-worn cameras

Body-Worn Cameras: They are small, powerful, silent partners and their use is growing all over the country.
The technology for this small but vital tool for law enforcement has become a favorite in many police departments.
While departments have been using the in-car cameras for years, in the current economy their cost has become a viable tool to m...

Read the full story at Police One
 
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