$2.1M in Criminal Justice Grants Allocated to Improve Public Safety and Support Victims of Crime in East Texas

Criminal Justice Program • December 3, 2020

Twenty-Nine (29) Public Safety Grants Approved for East Texas

ETCOG announces $2.1 million in grants from the Office of the Governor's (OOG) Criminal Justice Division awarded East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofits to improve public safety and support victims of crime. This funding program has a mission to support those who make Texas a safer place and those who help victims of crime to recover and feel safe again through programs that:
  • Prevent and intervene in juvenile delinquency
  • Provide services to victims of crime and address violence against women
  • Support law enforcement and improve the criminal justice system
  • Support Crime Stoppers organizations
  • Prevent child sex trafficking, bring justice to its perpetrators, and restore its victims
ETCOG's Public Safety Division assists jurisdictions in applying for these funds annually, and applications to be 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 $2,180,158.85 have been approved by the OOG for funding in East Texas:

Victims of Crime Act Funds - $1,553,489.57 
The Crime Victims Assistance Grant Program (VOCA) devotes resources to provide direct services to victims of crime to help them recover and to navigate the justice system.

Justice Assistance Grants - $316,426.38

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) promotes public safety efforts, crime reduction, and system improvements.


Violence Against Women Act Funds - $207,243.90

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. 


Juvenile Assistance Grants - $102,999.00

The Criminal Justice Planning Fund No. 421 (SF-421) fills in the gaps throughout all areas of the criminal justice system and supports innovative concepts and best practices to achieve a safer Texas for all citizens.


"Every year, the Office of the Governor solicits Criminal Justice funding opportunities which are invaluable to the region. Criminal Justice funding helps multiple agencies like 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.

A police officer is holding a microphone in his pocket.

Homeland Security, Criminal Justice Grant Funding Available for East Texas Public Safety Projects

By East Texas Council of Governments • December 19, 2024
State agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, universities or colleges, and federally recognized Native American tribes can soon apply for FY 2026 grant funds from the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office , State Homeland Security Grant Program and Criminal Justice division. New and continuing applicants in ETCOG’s fourteen (14) county region are invited to attend FREE grant application workshops hosted by the ETCOG Public Safety division . Workshops for each grant category to be held virtually from December 18, 2024, through February 13, 2025. Grant funding will be available for the following programs: Homeland Security State Homeland Security Program – Regular Projects (SHSP-R) Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities (LETPA) Criminal Justice General Victim Assistance Direct Services Program (VOCA) Violence Against Women Justice and Training Program (VAWA) Juvenile Justice & Truancy Prevention Grant Program (SF-JJTP) Criminal Justice Program (DJ-JAG) “The goal is to improve public safety, support victims of crime, and assist jurisdictions by filling gaps in the region via funding that promotes innovative solutions to regional problems,” said ETCOG’s Public Safety Director, Stephanie Heffner. “We help applicants understand what needs to go into their grant applications and what they have to track once they receive funding from the state so we can successfully bring public safety projects to East Texas.” Workshops for Homeland Security will be held on the following dates: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 1, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 29, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, February 5, 2025 - 10:00 AM Workshops for Criminal Justice will be held on the following dates: Monday, January 7, 2025 - 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - 10:00 AM Thursday, January 23, 2025 - 2:30 PM Wednesday, January 29, 2025 - 2:00 PM Workshops are mandatory if you plan to apply for funding. To participate in a virtual workshop for Homeland Security, visit www.pineywoods911.com/homeland-security . To participate in a virtual workshop for Criminal Justice, visit www.pineywoods911.com/criminal-justice .
A woman in a police uniform is standing in a park.

$3.4M in Public Safety Grants Approved for East Texas Region

By ETCOG Public Safety • December 17, 2024
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announces $3.4 million in grants from the Governor's Public Safety Office awarded to East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofits.
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