American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Public Safety Opportunities
Grant programs
Byrne/JAG funding-Direct to cities and towns. $15.7 million in Byrne/JAG money directly allocated to 147 cities and towns for eligible purposes, which include: state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, information systems for criminal justice, and criminal justice-related research and evaluation activities that will improve or enhance:
• Law enforcement programs.
• Prosecution and court programs.
• Prevention and education programs.
• Corrections and community corrections programs.
• Drug treatment and enforcement programs.
• Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.
• Crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).
Link to Summary of Allocations: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recoveryJAG/recjag/MA.xls
Other Programs
Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funding for Mass. Approximately $25 million has been awarded to the Commonwealth. Purpose areas are the same as the Byrne JAG awards given directly to cities and towns. Office of Grants and Research manages the State's Byrne JAG award.
Approximate allocations are as follows: $3.1 million to support summer youth employment programming in 35 priority cities/towns in Mass.; $13.6 million to preserve jobs and core services in state public safety agencies; and $6.2 million to local law enforcement though a competitive process and intended to address the impact on local public safety resulting from staffing reductions since July 1, 2008.
Award announcements for Municipal Police Services Staffing made November 23, 2009.
(
Municipal Police Staffing Grant 
)
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) STOP Funding. $2.8 million to promote a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to enhance services and advocacy to victims, improve the criminal justice system's response, and promote effective law enforcement, prosecution, and judicial strategies to address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Office of Grants and Research manages the State's VAWA STOP award.
Funds will be distributed through competitive processes and in keeping with the VAWA STOP formula: 30% to nonprofit, nongovernmental victim services programs (of which at least 10% is to be distributed to culturally specific community-based organizations); not less than 25% to law enforcement; not less than 25% to prosecution; and not less than 5% to courts. The remaining 15% may be awarded at the discretion of the Commonwealth within the statutory parameters of VAWA.
Please continue to monitor this website for additional information on the availability of funds.
State Fiscal Stabilization Funds. The Governor has committed more than $20 million of the State's Fiscal Stabilization Funding to support fire departments across the Commonwealth to address the impact on local public safety resulting from staffing reductions since July 1, 2008. The Commonwealth is awarding funding to local departments after a competitive grant process.
Award announcements for Fire Services Staffing made November 23, 2009.
(
Municipal Fire Staffing Grant
)
State and Local Homeland Security. $150 million available nationally for Public Transportation Security Assistance and Railroad Assistance, and $150 million available nationally for port security grants.
Allocations announced and awards processed on a rolling basis between October 15, 2009 - December 31, 2009. For more information on Public Transportation and Railroads: Click Here
For more information on Port Security: Click Here
Community Policing Oriented Services (COPS) Funding. $1 billion nationally to be granted to cities and towns directly. Program has been amended to allow for rehiring of laid off police officers, to retain officers, and to fill positions left vacant due to attrition and budget cuts. 25% match from locals also eliminated (program is fully funded by federal government, no more 75%-25% split with city or town). Funding will pay for officer for 3 years, after which the department is required to keep the officer. Applications were due by April 14, 2009.
Award announcements: Click Here
Byrne Competitive Grants. $225 million is available nationally to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, to assist victims of crime (other than compensation) and for youth mentoring initiatives. These grants help state and local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and may be used for national efforts such as training and technical assistance.
Award announcements: Click Here
Operation And Maintenance, Army National Guard. $266 million available nationally to improve, repair and modernize Department of Defense facilities, restore and modernize real property to include barracks, and invest in the energy efficiency of
Department of Defense facilities. MA anticipates receiving $9 million for facilities at Camp Edwards, Otis Air Force Base, and for a facility in Dorchester.
Firefighter Assistance Grants. $210 million available nationally for modifying, upgrading, or constructing non-Federal fire stations. This is additional funding for an existing grant program and currently operates as a direct municipal application through FEMA.
The Assistance to Firefighters Program Office will be utilizing the established process employed for all other grant opportunities. Applications are required to be submitted via the automated e-grant application. All submitted applications will be reviewed and if chosen, sent to be reviewed by a panel of peers who will make recommendations on which applications should be funded. Applications were due July 10, 2009. Awards will be issued by the federal government from September - December 2009.
Higher priority for grant funding will go to projects that fall into the following categories:
- Projects in areas of the Country where unemployment is the highest
- Projects that are ready to begin shortly after the award is granted (i.e. applicant already has required permits)
- Projects that improve emergency response time and firefighter safety
- Projects that are environmentally friendly; conform to national consensus codes and standards; provide best value for cost and can be constructed within the proposed budget
For additional program-specific information, please call the AFG Help Desk at (866) 274-0960 or email firegrants@dhs.gov