Homeland Security Grant Funding Available for East Texas Public Safety Projects

East Texas Council of Governments • December 14, 2022

Mandatory Workshops Scheduled for Applicants

State agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, universities or colleges, and Federally recognized Native American tribes can soon apply for FY 2024 grant funds from the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office, State Homeland Security Grant Program. 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. Eight workshops will be held virtually from December 15, 2022, through February 8, 2023. Grant funding is available for the following programs:


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

“The goal of these funds is to improve public safety and support applications for projects that support local efforts to prevent terrorism and targeted violence and prepare for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the security of East Texas citizens,” 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 will be held on the following dates:

 

  • Thursday, 12/15/22 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM
  • Thursday, 12/22/22 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM
  • Thursday, 12/29/22 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM
  • Thursday, 01/05/23 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM
  • Thursday, 01/12/23 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM
  • Thursday, 01/19/23 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM
  • Thursday, 02/02/23 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM
  • Thursday, 02/08/23 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM


Funding announcements can be viewed at https://egrants.gov.texas.gov/fundopp.aspx. Attending a grant application workshop is mandatory for agencies planning to apply for funding. To participate in a virtual workshop, visit https://www.pineywoods911.com/homeland-security at any of the listed dates and times, and click “Join Workshop.”


Homeland Security Grant Workshops
By ETCOG Public Safety April 1, 2026
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, observed April 12–18, 2026 , honors the dedication, service, and sacrifice of the public safety telecommunicators who answer the call when emergencies happen. Held each year during the second week of April, the observance recognizes the professionals who serve as the critical first point of contact in emergency situations. At ETCOG, we are proud to recognize the telecommunicators who serve communities across our region. Their work requires professionalism, compassion, quick thinking, and a steadfast commitment to public safety. In moments of crisis, they provide calm, skilled support and help connect people to the emergency services they need. In 2025 , telecommunicators in ETCOG’s service area answered more than 174,000 9-1-1 calls and more than 20,000 9-1-1 texts . Behind each of those numbers is a person in need of help and a trained telecommunicator ready to respond. ETCOG supports the region’s dispatch offices through training, equipment upgrades, and management of the regional 9-1-1 system. These efforts help ensure telecommunicators have the tools, technology, and resources needed to serve the public effectively and efficiently. During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we extend our sincere appreciation to the men and women who help keep our communities safe every day. Their work is essential, and their service makes a meaningful difference throughout East Texas.
By East Texas Council of Governments December 15, 2025
Mandatory Workshops Scheduled for Applicants
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