Criminal Justice Division Funding Announcement: Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program, FY2020
Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office • April 21, 2020
Purpose
The purpose of this announcement is to solicit applications for projects that seek to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus.
Available Funding
Federal Funds are authorized under Division B of H.R. 748, Pub. L. No. 116136 (Emergency Appropriations for Coronavirus Health Response and Agency Operations); 28 U.S.C. 530C. CESF funds are made available through a Congressional appropriation to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated federal funds and any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law.
Texas expects to make approximately $37.8 million available to local units of government through regionally based allocations using the Regional Councils of Governments boundaries. Please see the Regionally Based Allocations Appendix at the end of this announcement for more information.
Eligible Organizations
Applications may be submitted by Native American tribes and units of local government, which are defined as a non-statewide governmental body with the authority to establish a budget and impose taxes.
Note: Units of local government eligible for a direct award from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) should first seek funds directly through BJA. The list of local allocations for direct BJA awards to Texas jurisdictions can be found here, and the federal solicitation is available here. Applications are due to BJA by May 29, 2020.
Application Process
Applicants must access the PSO’s eGrants grant management website at https://eGrants.gov.texas.gov
to register and apply for funding. For more instructions and information, see Developing a Good Project Narrative Guide, available here.
Action Date
Funding Announcement Release 04/15/2020
Online System Opening Date 04/15/2020
Final Date to Submit and Certify an Application 06/15/2020 at 5:00 PM CST
Earliest Project Start Date 02/01/2020
| Action | Date |
|---|---|
| Funding Announcement Release | 04/15/2020 |
| Online System Opening Date | 04/15/2020 |
| Final Date to Submit and Certify an Application | 06/15/2020 at 5:00 PM CST |
| Earliest Project Start Date | 02/01/2020 |
***Applications will be reviewed and processed as they are received. PSO intends to issue awards in an expeditious manner and encourages applicants to submit prior to the deadline in order to receive notification of an award as soon as reasonable. ***
Project Period
Projects must begin on or after 02/01/2020 and may not exceed a 12-month project period.
Funding Levels
Minimum: $10,000
Maximum: None
Match Requirement: None
Standards
Grantees must comply with standards applicable to this fund source cited in the State Uniform Grant Management Standards (UGMS), Federal Uniform Grant Guidance, and all statutes, requirements, and guidelines applicable to this funding.
Eligible Activities and Costs
Funds must be utilized to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. Allowable projects and purchases include, but are not limited to, overtime, equipment (including law enforcement and medical personal protective equipment), hiring, supplies (such as gloves, masks, sanitizer), training, travel expenses (particularly related to the distribution of resources to the most impacted areas), and addressing the medical needs of inmates in local and tribal jails and detention centers.
Examples of allowable costs include:
- Personnel Overtime (Peace Officer, Jailer, Correctional Officer, Medical, and other Essential Staff)
- Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Supplies (i.e. gloves, masks, sanitizer, disinfectant)
- Temporary Staff
- Medical care for inmates that have tested positive for COVID-19
- Any other costs associated with the implementation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Guidance documents, specifically:
- Interim Guidance on Management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Correctional and Detention Facilities
- What Law Enforcement Personnel Need to Know about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for COVID-19 in the United States
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Eligibility Requirements
- Entities receiving funds from PSO must be located in a county that has an average of 90% or above on both adult and juvenile dispositions entered into the computerized criminal history database maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) as directed in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 66. The disposition completeness percentage is defined as the percentage of arrest charges a county reports to DPS for which a disposition has been subsequently reported and entered into the computerized criminal history system.
- Beginning January 1, 2020, counties applying for grant awards from the Office of the Governor must commit that the county will report at least 90 percent of convictions within seven business days to the Criminal Justice Information System at the Department of Public Safety. By January 1, 2021, such reporting must take place within five business days.
- Eligible applicants operating a law enforcement agency must be current on reporting Part I violent crime data to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) for inclusion in the annual Uniform Crime Report (UCR). To be considered eligible for funding, applicants must have submitted a full twelve months of accurate data to DPS for the most recent calendar year.
- The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has established a goal set by the Texas Legislature for all local law enforcement agencies to implement and report crime statistics data by using the requirements of the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) no later than September 1, 2019. Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) will collect required crime statistics solely through the NIBRS starting January 1, 2021. Due to these upcoming state and federal deadlines, grantees are advised that eligibility for future grant funding may be tied to compliance with NIBRS. Financial grant assistance for transitioning to NIBRS may be available for your jurisdiction from the Criminal Justice Division (CJD).
- Local units of government, including cities, counties and other general purpose political subdivisions, as appropriate, and institutions of higher education that operate a law enforcement agency, must comply with all aspects of the programs and procedures utilized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) to: (1) notify DHS of all information requested by DHS related to illegal aliens in Agency’s custody; and (2) detain such illegal aliens in accordance with requests by DHS. Additionally, counties and municipalities may NOT have in effect, purport to have in effect, or make themselves subject to or bound by, any law, rule, policy, or practice (written or unwritten) that would: (1) require or authorize the public disclosure of federal law enforcement information in order to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection fugitives from justice or aliens illegally in the United States; or (2) impede federal officers from exercising authority under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a), § 1226(c), § 1231(a), § 1357(a), § 1366(1), or § 1366(3). Lastly, eligible applicants must comply with all provisions, policies, and penalties found in Chapter 752, Subchapter C of the Texas Government Code.
- Each local unit of government, and institution of higher education that operates a law enforcement agency, must download, complete and then upload into eGrants the CEO/Law Enforcement Certifications and Assurances Form certifying compliance with federal and state immigration enforcement requirements. This Form is required for each application submitted to OOG and is active until August 31, 2021 or the end of the grant period, whichever is later.
- Eligible applicants must have a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number assigned to its agency (to request a DUNS number, go to https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform).
- Eligible applicants must be registered in the federal System for Award Management (SAM) database located at https://sam.gov/.
Failure to comply with program eligibility requirements may cause funds to be withheld and/or suspension or termination of grant funds.
Prohibitions
Grant funds may not be used to support the unallowable costs listed in the Guide to Grants
or any of the following unallowable costs:
- Law enforcement equipment that is standard department issue; and
- Any other prohibition imposed by federal, state or local law or regulation.
Selection Process
Application Screening: PSO will screen all applications to ensure that they meet the requirements included in the funding announcement, to understand the overall demand for the program and to identify significant variations in costs per item. After this review, the Office of the Governor will determine if eligible applications can be funded based on funds available, if there are cost-effectiveness benefits to normalizing or setting limits on the range of costs, and if other fair-share cuts may allow for broader distribution and a higher number of projects while still remaining effective.
Final Decisions: The PSO executive director will consider staff recommendations along with other factors and make all final funding decisions. Other factors may include cost effectiveness, overall funds availability, state government priorities and strategies, legislative directives, need, geographic distribution, balance of focuses and approaches, or other relevant factors.
PSO may not fund all applications or may only award part of the amount requested. In the event that funding requests exceed available funds, PSO may revise projects to address a more limited focus.
Contact Information
For more information, contact the eGrants help desk at eGrants@gov.texas.gov
or (512) 463-1919.
Regionally Based Allocations Appendix
Texas is divided into 24 regions, each served by a voluntary organization of local governmental entities that coordinate programs and services to address needs that cross jurisdictional boundaries. PSO will use the allocations below as a guide when making funding decisions for applications within each region. Funds remaining within a regionally based allocation after all eligible applications have been selected for award from that region may be reallocated to other regions.
Please visit https://txregionalcouncil.org/regional-councils/
to determine which Council of Governments region your jurisdiction belongs to.
Deadline for applications September 26, 2025
The ETCOG Board of Directors will meet this month to consider the largest budget in agency history! The proposed budget totals $86,053,366, reflecting an overall increase of $642,472 compared to the prior year. Program area revenue totals for the budget this year are: Area Agency on Aging - $4,885,886 Public Safety - $4,363,393 Transportation - $11,745,053 Workforce & Economic Development - $64,503,626 GIS & Regional Technology Solutions - $279,824 General Fund - $275,584 The FY2026 Budget will serve as the financial guide to help each Division meet its respective performance measures and enable ETCOG to continue its efforts to maximize the use of technology to achieve desired service levels, streamline operational processes, safeguard its data investment, and realize our vision and mission. Other business items on the agenda include the chair's report on the year's accomplishments, the election of Executive Committee members and officers, and the presentation of the Chairman's Service Award. The 108th Semi-Annual Board of Directors meeting will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the Rusk County Youth Expo Center and Arena in Henderson, Texas. The meeting will begin at 11:45 a.m. We welcome our members and their guests to register to attend at www.etcog.org/open-meetings .
ETCOG is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Cornejo as the new Director of the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA). In this role, Cornejo will lead efforts to develop and coordinate services that support the health, independence, and quality of life of older adults across ETCOG’s fourteen-county region. Cornejo brings a strong background in healthcare leadership and military service. He most recently worked as an Account Manager for Humana’s Institutional Special Needs Plan program, where he partnered with skilled nursing facilities to improve care coordination, leading to a 20% reduction in hospital readmissions. Earlier in his career, Cornejo served in the United States Navy for nearly two decades, rising to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer and managing budgets exceeding $550 million while leading more than 350 Sailors and Marines. “Adrian’s leadership experience in both healthcare and the military has equipped him with the skills and dedication needed to serve East Texas seniors,” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. “His background in building partnerships and his deep commitment to public service make him a tremendous asset to our team.” Cornejo shared his enthusiasm for his new role, saying, “It is an honor to join ETCOG and to serve the seniors of East Texas. My goal is to build on the strong foundation already in place at the Area Agency on Aging and continue to expand access to services that help older adults and their families live with dignity and independence.” The AAA is administered through ETCOG and is part of a nationwide network created through the Older Americans Act of 1965. It provides a wide range of services, including information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education, senior nutrition programs, housing repair, caregiver support, and Ombudsman advocacy for individuals in long-term care facilities. These programs are designed to help older residents remain active and independent in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
$ 161,705.00 Estimated to be Available for FY 2026/2027 East Texas Projects
Pictured left to right: Baylea Evans, GoBus Strategic Development Manager; David Cleveland, ETCOG Executive Director; Lindsay Vanderbilt, Communications Director; Dylan Cook, Communications Specialist; Katey Pilgram, Associate Director of Transportation ETCOG's rural transit system, GoBus , is pleased to be a recipient of the South West Transit Association's (SWTA) Annual Spotlight Awards . The awards celebrate the exceptional efforts and contributions of transit agencies and organizations across the region that have significantly impacted their communities. ETCOG received the Hit The Spot: Social Media Award for rural systems for our campaign, “On the GO with GoBus!” produced to promote service availability in the rural areas surrounding Longview for residents of White Oak, Lakeport, Hallsville, and Gladewater. "We are thrilled to win a Spotlight Award for our social media campaign developed to raise awareness of public transportation options available within the Longview Urbanized Zone, but outside the city limits where city bus service is not available. These communities, though part of the urban area, were without access to reliable transit. Through TxDOT funding and a unique partnership between Longview Transit and GoBus, we were able to extend service to these underserved areas. The campaign focused on educating residents about their new access to affordable, reliable transportation options,” said ETCOG's Communications Director, Lindsay Vanderbilt. Our Associate Director of Transportation, Katey Pilgram, joined other award recipients and marketing experts to share details on their award-winning campaigns and projects at the SWTA Summer University Conference held July 27-30, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The awards – reviewed and judged by marketing and communication professionals at transit agencies and private marketing firms – are among the oldest awards recognizing marketing campaigns and projects in the public transportation industry, first awarded in 1990. SWTA's membership covers Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Whether you're a board member, elected official, community partner, or simply curious about how regional collaboration works—this workshop is for you. ETCOG 101 is a great chance to learn how we serve as the bridge between federal, state, and local governments. From job training and transportation to emergency communications and aging services, we’re here to support what makes East Texas strong. Join us to: Understand our mission and regional initiatives. Explore how ETCOG contributes to shaping the future of East Texas. Connect with fellow partners and ETCOG leadership. Workshops will be held in person at ETCOG's main office located at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore, TX. Each workshop will cover the same material, which includes a general overview of all ETCOG programs. Workshop Dates - Click to Register! Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM (completed) Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Thursday, November 13, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
On Tuesday, July 29, ETCOG will host Rebuilding the Fort for a Strategic Listening Session from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The event will be held at ETCOG offices located at 3800 Stone Road in Kilgore, with lunch provided courtesy of BBKLAW.COM . This session will introduce Rebuilding the Fort’s veteran-led model for community revitalization, focused on: Activating affordable housing Advancing workforce development Driving economic transformation in underutilized neighborhoods Their team has successfully implemented this approach in cities such as Fort Worth, Hurst, and Balch Springs using tools like: Pattern books with pre-approved housing designs Land banks and housing trust funds Layered financing strategies (TIF, LIHTC, CDBG, PRI) Veteran development labs and public-private partnerships This is not just a presentation—it’s a working session. They're here to listen, learn, and collaborate with leaders in East Texas with the goal of identifying communities ready to lead regional transformation with the support of a scalable, proven platform. RSVP by emailing support@rebuildingthefort.com.
Day 1: Basic Environmental Law Training Day 2: Intermediate Environmental Law Training
The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) awarded the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) an Achievement Award for its efforts to build veteran-friendly communities in East Texas. Regional Achievement awards are presented annually to recognize excellence in programs and services of regional councils, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and other regional organizations across the country. The Achievement Awards were presented during a ceremony at the recent NARC 59th Annual Conference & Exhibition in Seattle, Washington, where ETCOG received the Rural Award. Launched in July 2024, the Veteran-Friendly Community Designation Program was developed by ETCOG in collaboration with the Alamo Area Council of Governments, the University of Texas at Tyler, and the University of Texas at San Antonio. The program formally recognizes communities that show strong, lasting support for military veterans through policies, services, and community involvement. It requires each participating city or county to provide a comprehensive community profile, develop a plan focused on veterans, and commit to an annual self-assessment to maintain the designation. Tyler/Smith County and Quitman/Wood County were the first to receive the designation and have become good models of how to support veterans in areas such as housing, employment, healthcare, and education. “We’re proud to be recognized by NARC for a program that recognizes the men and women that lay their lives on the line to keep us free!,” said David Cleveland, Executive Director of ETCOG. “In East Texas, we’ve always believed in taking care of our veterans—not just with words, but with our actions. This award means a great deal to us, and it demonstrates that when communities come together with a clear purpose, we can build something that truly makes a difference. We hope this program becomes a blueprint for how regions can support and encourage those who served all of us.” ETCOG has been a long-time member of NARC, whose member organizations are comprised of multiple local governments that work together to serve American communities, large and small, urban and rural. Eight projects submitted from regional planning agencies across the nation received Achievement Awards. About the National Association of Regional Councils NARC serves as a national voice for regions by advocating for regional cooperation as the most effective way to address a variety of community planning and development opportunities and issues. NARC’s member organizations are composed of multiple local governments that work together to serve American communities – large and small, urban and rural. For more information about NARC awards, conferences, and leadership, visit www.NARC.org .