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Criminal Justice Division Funding Announcement: Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program, FY2020
Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office • Apr 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.
We are delighted to share that our Executive Director, David Cleveland, has been appointed to the prestigious board of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). David is one of 17 new members appointed for 2024 -2026, marking a significant recognition of his leadership and expertise in regional community and economic development.
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.
ETCOG will host a Hiring Event on Tuesday, May 14th, for part-time and PRN (as-needed) GoBus Operator positions.
ETCOG will hold its next Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, May 9, beginning at noon. The agenda will incorporate a Public Hearing to discuss and determine the Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) Program Regional Project Priority types. As part of the standard program process, each of the 24 regions in the State is encouraged to determine the regional project priority types for the program. During the Public Hearing, all stakeholders can discuss and provide input on what these CDBG Regional Project Priority types should be for the East Texas Region with the ETCOG Executive Committee. The meeting will include a public comment period. ETCOG invites anyone with input on the TxCDBG program to submit oral or written testimony in person or submit written comments directly to PublicComments@etcog.org by 11:00 a.m. on May 9, 2024. ETCOG will submit the adopted priority project types for the East Texas Region to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), which administers TxCDBG, by May 15, 2024. TDA will use these project types to score grant applications in the 2025-2026 funding cycle.
ETCOG honored regional citizens who exemplify excellence in performance, innovation, and contributions to the community at its 105th Semi-Annual Board of Directors Meeting last week at the Jeffersonian Institute in Jefferson, Texas. The meeting was led by ETCOG’s Board Chairman, Harrison County Commissioner William Hatfield, which included celebrating seven regional award winners at the ceremony.
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announces $93,500 in grants from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) awarded to East Texas jurisdictions, special districts, and regional initiatives to support waste minimization efforts in ETCOG's fourteen-county region. This funding assists jurisdictions in establishing or expanding projects that would directly provide a measurable effect on reducing the amount of waste going into area landfills by diverting various materials from the municipal solid waste stream for beneficial use or reducing waste generation at the source. Applicants were eligible to apply for the following Municipal Solid Waste Grant Project Categories: 1) Local Enforcement, 2) Litter and Illegal Dumping Clean Up and Community Collection Events, 3) Source Reduction and Recycling, 4) Local Solid Waste Management Plans, 5) Citizens' Collection Stations and "Small" Registered Transfer Stations, 6) Household Hazardous Waste Management, 7) Technical Studies, 8) Educational and Training Projects. ETCOG annually helps jurisdictions apply for funds, which are then ranked and scored by our Solid Waste Advisory Committee. This committee is made up of local subject matter experts from the region. After the ETCOG Executive Committee approves the projects, we recommend them to TCEQ. The following grants in East Texas have been approved for funding by TCEQ. "ETCOG appreciates the efforts of many of our jurisdictions to apply for these funds, as well as the Solid Waste Advisory Committee’s commitment to making East Texas a cleaner place to live," said ETCOG's Economic Development Manager, Parker Harrison. “These essential projects led to the cleanup of hundreds of sites, almost 5,000 tires, and the collection of nearly a million pounds of solid waste last year. We look forward to seeing the results this year’s projects will bring to the region.”
The solar eclipse is fast approaching, so get ready to experience this rare event where the moon covers the sun, creating a breathtaking sight. ETCOG Regional Technology Solutions (RTS) has played an important role in enhancing your experience by determining if you are within the path of totality. The solar eclipse, marked by the alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth, resulting in the temporary obscuration of the sun's light. During this occurrence, the moon casts a shadow on Earth, offering observers a unique glimpse of the sun's corona and a twilight during daylight hours. Remarkably, half of ETCOG's 14-county region finds itself within the path of totality, positioning East Texas as a prime location for eclipse enthusiasts. This event on Monday, April 8 marks the first total eclipse visible to East Texas since 1878. To make sure you make the most of this rare occurrence, RTS has built an eclipse map that allows you to pinpoint your location within the path of totality. You can access the map to view your location by visiting go.etcog.org/2024eclipse . Beyond the eclipse map, RTS specialized in the creation of interactive solutions, ranging from customized apps to digital maps, and prints. These services are offered to city, county, and partners, showcasing ETCOG's commitment to solving local solutions and a low cost. For more local information → www.visittyler.com/solar-eclipse
The East Texas Council of Governments' rural transit system, GoBus , is proud to be a recipient of the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) annual AdWheel awards, which recognize excellence in marketing and outreach efforts by transit providers nationwide. The APTA AdWheel Awards fosters creativity and innovation within the public transportation industry, highlighting best marketing practices that contribute to the betterment of public transportation. The selection process involves evaluations by industry experts for creativity, impact, community engagement, and overall effectiveness. “I am proud of our Communications, Human Resources, and Transportation teams for collaborating effectively to address an ongoing staffing need within our agency. To receive national recognition for these efforts means a lot to me and all of us here at ETCOG!” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. ETCOG received the award in the Special Event subcategory for the Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development. The award acknowledges team effort in hosting a one-day hiring fair dedicated to GoBus Operator positions. The event featured comprehensive activities, including on-site interviews, video highlights, and bus tours, providing prospective candidates with a glimpse of transit operations and a seamless hiring process for human resources. This recognition celebrates our commitment to workforce development and highlights the success of ETCOG’s strategic marketing and communication initiatives in attracting top talent. "We are honored to receive this prestigious APTA award,” said ETCOG Communications Director Lindsay Vanderbilt.” This recognition is a reflection of the dedication and creativity of our team and the collaboration across our agency to solve transportation hiring challenges.” A member of the ETCOG communications team joined other award recipients and marketing experts to share details on their award-winning campaigns and projects at the APTA Marketing Workshop held February 12-14, 2043, in New Orleans, Louisiana. APTA is a nonprofit international association of over 1,500 public and private sector member organizations and is the only association in North America that represents all modes of public transportation, including bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services, and intercity and high-speed passenger rail.
ETCOG is excited to announce the collaboration with Carson Consulting, spearheaded by Cecile Carson, Ph.D., to develop a comprehensive Local Enforcement Environmental Crimes Toolkit. With over three decades of experience in partnering with local, state, and national organizations, Dr. Carson brings a wealth of expertise in creating litter and illegal dumping kits, training materials, and researching effective litter law enforcement practices. The primary goal of this toolkit is to equip local jurisdictions with the necessary tools and resources to empower enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, and government decision-makers. The initiative, set for completion by August 16, 2024, aims to enhance environmental enforcement, foster collaboration with relevant entities, and provide guidance in reducing environmental offenses and illegal dumping. Key features of the toolkit include: Enforcement and Prosecution Section: Offering tools and resources for effective enforcement and prosecution of environmental crimes. Building Collaboration: Providing guidance on fostering stakeholder collaboration to achieve shared environmental goals. Public Education: Equipping users with resources to educate the public on the importance of environmental protection and legal compliance. We encourage our members to anticipate the forthcoming resources. Dr. Carson will initiate outreach to local enforcement officers in the coming weeks. For those with questions or want to learn more about this project, contact our Economic Development Specialist, Lisa Smith, at 903-218-6467 or lisa.smith@etcog.org . This project is funded in part by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and approved by the ETCOG Solid Waste Advisory Committee.