Blog Post

Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Grant Funding Available for East Texas Region

East Texas Council of Governments • Dec 15, 2020
Local governments, independent school districts, colleges, universities, non-profit organizations, and state agencies can now apply for grant funds from the Governor’s Office, Criminal Justice Division, and Homeland Security Program. New applicants 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. Training for both the Criminal Justice Division and the Homeland Security Program will be held virtually. Grant funding is available for the following programs:

Criminal Justice
  • General Victim Assistance Direct Services Program (VOCA)
  • Violence Against Women Justice and Training Program (VAWA)
  • Juvenile Justice & Truancy Prevention Grant Program (Juvenile)
  • Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Programs (JAG)

Homeland Security
  • State Homeland Security Program – Regular Projects (SHSP)
  • State Homeland Security Program - Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities (LETPA)

“The goal is to improve public safety and support victims of crime 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.”

To apply for funding, you must attend a MANDATORY grant application workshop. Workshops will be held separately and are still mandatory for applicants who apply for both Criminal Justice and Homeland Security funding. There will be nine workshop opportunities this year, with approximately 60 to 75 agencies estimated to be trained. Workshops will be held on the following dates:

Criminal Justice
To participate in a virtual workshop, visit https://www.pineywoods911.com/criminal-justice at any of the following dates and times, and click “Join Here.”

  • Thursday, December 17, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Tuesday, January 5, 2020, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, January 13, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Wednesday, January 27, 2020, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Homeland Security
To participate in a virtual workshop, visit https://www.pineywoods911.com/homeland-security at any of the following dates and times, and click “Join Here.”
  • Thursday, December 17, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • Thursday, December 17, 2020, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 31, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • Thursday, January 7, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • Thursday, January 28, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Large black and white trailer used for emergency management

Regional Exercise to Test Interoperability Communications Among First Responders in East Texas

By East Texas Council of Governments • 30 Apr, 2024
Texas first responders are gearing up for a communication training that will address communications interoperability during emergencies. Coordinated by the East Texas Council of Governments and the Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Division of Emergency Management, this workshop marks a collaborative effort to bolster emergency communication systems and emphasize the importance of seamless communications in crisis situations. Over three days, from May 17th to May 19th, participants from various sectors will engage in radio communication tests, workshops on technological advancements, and discussion on the future of emergency communications. The exercise will kick off at the Tyler Junior College West Campus before transitioning to operational platforms for real-world testing. Interested participants are encouraged to register for the event at www.preparingtexas.org and search for “Regional Communications” in the main search bar to join the collective effort to enhance public safety communication across Texas and the East Texas region.
female dispatcher looking at 911 address map

ETCOG Adds Cherokee County to 911 Addressing Program

By East Texas Council of Governments • 03 Jan, 2024
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) has extended its 9-1-1 addressing program to Cherokee County, enhancing emergency response capabilities for the region.
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