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$3.1M in Criminal Justice Grants to Improve Public Safety and Support Victims of Crime Approved for East Texas

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$3.1M in Criminal Justice Grants to Improve Public Safety and Support Victims of Crime Approved for East Texas
East Texas: The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announces that $3.1 million in grants from the Office of the Governor’s (OOG) Public Safety Office have been awarded to East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofit organizations. These funds are aimed at enhancing public safety and supporting victims of crime. The program’s mission is to strengthen Texas communities by supporting initiatives that help victims recover and feel secure while also preventing crime through programs that:

  • Prevent juvenile delinquency and support truancy prevention
  • Provide services to victims of crime and address violence against women
  • Support law enforcement and improve the criminal justice system
  • Prevent child sex trafficking, bring justice to its perpetrators, and restore victims

 

ETCOG’s Public Safety Division assists jurisdictions in applying for these funds annually, and applications submitted for funding are ranked and scored by the ETCOG Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, which is comprised of local subject-matter experts from across the region.

 

The following Victims of Crime Act, Justice Assistance, Violence Against Women Act, and Juvenile Assistance grants totaling $3,136,019.36 have been approved by the OOG for funding in East Texas:

Victims of Crime Act Funds – $2,528,962.18

The Crime Victims Assistance Grant Program (VOCA) devotes resources to providing direct services to victims of crime to help them recover and navigate the justice system.
table with names of agencies with project description and grant amount
Justice Assistance Grants – $276,753.66

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) promotes public safety efforts, crime reduction, and system improvements.
table with names of agencies with project description and grant amount
Violence Against Women Act Funds – $235,331.37

The STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program (VAWA) supports victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking through staff training, prevention and awareness, data collection, legal assistance, and treatment for trauma.
table with names of agencies with project description and grant amount
Juvenile Assistance Grants – $94,972.15

The Criminal Justice Planning Fund 421 (SF-421) and Truancy Prevention funding addresses gaps across all areas of the criminal justice system and supports innovative concepts and best practices to achieve a safer Texas for all citizens.
table with names of agencies with project description and grant amount
“Every year, the Governor’s Office provides opportunities that are invaluable to the region. Criminal Justice funding supports multiple agencies, including law enforcement, local nonprofits, District Attorney offices, Juvenile Probation Departments, and victims of crime. This funding is essential to enable our law enforcement to serve East Texas better,” said ETCOG’s Public Safety Director, Stephanie Heffner.
About the Public Safety Program

Working in partnership with state and local officials, ETCOG has been tapped as the primary planning and coordinating entity for Emergency 9-1-1 Communications in East Texas. ETCOG, through its Public Safety program, works with the State to have fully deployed, advanced 9-1-1 services for wireless callers and help plan for Next Generation 9-1-1. The program also supports first responders and plans regionally for disasters by partnering with the Texas Office of the Governor to coordinate Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Planning. The Public Safety program encompasses three program areas: 9-1-1 Emergency Services, Criminal Justice, and Homeland Security. www.pineywoods911.com

About ETCOG

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is a voluntary association of counties, cities, school districts, and special districts within the fourteen-county East Texas region. ETCOG assists local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit, and coordinating for sound regional development. Established in 1970, ETCOG, either directly or through its contractors, provides programs and services for East Texas seniors, employers, and job seekers. ETCOG and its contractors also build the 9-1-1 emergency call delivery system, provide peace officer training and homeland security planning services, and deliver rural transportation services, business finance programs, and environmental grant funding for the region. www.etcog.org

 
East Texas Council of Governments | (903) 218-6400 | www.etcog.org
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East Texas Council of Governments | 3800 Stone Road | Kilgore, TX 75662 US
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