Gov. Ritter Announces Recovery Act Law Enforcement Grants

$16.4 million available for state and local law enforcement agency projects such as multi-jurisdictional task forces and technology improvements. Apply by May 1.

Gov. Bill Ritter announced March 31 that $16.4 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will be made available for state and local law enforcement agency projects. Completed applications must be submitted to the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice by May 1.

"This is one of the largest single investments in state and local law enforcement projects ever made by the federal government in Colorado," Gov. Ritter said. "These funds will create jobs in the public safety and criminal justice system, and the Division of Criminal Justice is making these important resources available quickly to Colorado communities."

Funds can be used for a wide variety of law enforcement programs, including crime prevention, multi-jurisdictional task forces, technology improvements, community corrections programs, court programs and substance abuse treatment.

Grants will be awarded based on a competitive process conducted by the Division of Criminal Justice. There is no requirement for local or state match funds for proposed projects. The funding can support programs for up to two years, beginning Oct. 1. State, county and municipal governments are eligible applicants. Local nonprofit organizations, in partnership with law enforcement organizations, may receive funding through project proposals submitted through government agencies.

The deadline for applications is May 1.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF AVAILABLE FUNDS

EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT RECOVERY ACT (JAG) 2009

OFFERED THROUGH THE OFFICE OF ADULT AND JUVENILE JUSTICE ASSISTANCE (OAJJA)

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2009, NO LATER THAN 3:00 PM

Submit applications to:

Division of Criminal Justice
ATTN: OAJJA-2009 JAG Recovery Act APP
700 Kipling Street, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80215

There will be no separate Rural Law Enforcement (RLE) Solicitation for 2009 - all potential RLE applicants should respond to this solicitation.

Purpose of the Funds

The stated purposes of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) (the “Recovery Act”)are: to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery; to assist those most impacted by the recession; to provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; to invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits; and to stabilize state and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases.

The purpose of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Recovery Act Program is to promote working partnerships between federal, state, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and to improve the criminal justice system. JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multijurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.

Amount Available

Approximately $16.4 million in Justice Assistance Grant Recovery Act funding is available to support state and local projects to support efforts to prevent or reduce crime and violence. All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law. Applicants also should anticipate that awards under the Recovery Act will be one-time awards and accordingly should propose project activities and deliverables that can be accomplished without additional federal funding.

Award Period

Projects can apply for up to 24 months of funding (October 1, 2009- September 30, 2011).

Match/Other Budget Considerations

• Although match is not a requirement for this funding, the JAG Board is highly encouraging all applicants to show a commitment from either state or local governments, a portion of a direct JAG Recovery Act award from BJA (for eligible jurisdictions), or other funding committed by partner agencies for this project. This other funding will need to be identified and documented in the application.
  
  
• Jurisdictions that receive a direct award from BJA for 2009 JAG Recovery Act funding will not be automatically excluded from applying for the portion of funds awarded to the state.

Eligibility

Units of government at the municipal, county and state level, including special districts may apply to the Office of Adult and Juvenile Justice Assistance, Division of Criminal Justice, for a JAG Recovery Act grant. The JAG program strongly encourages partnerships, so applications may support projects involving combined teams of agencies at all levels and including non-profit organizations. However, non-profit organizations cannot apply directly for JAG Recovery Act funding*. Non-profit organizations may participate as a team member, with the government agency assuming overall responsibility and leadership for a project.

*The JAG Board finds that to prevent fragmentation of law enforcement it will accept limited grant applications from non-profit organizations representing statewide associations of local law enforcement. These non-profits must include in their applications how the grant will benefit statewide priorities adopted annually by the Board.

Funding Program Areas - Priorities, Exclusions and Limitations

Priorities: JAG funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following program areas:

• Prevention and education programs
• Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs
• Law enforcement programs
• Corrections and community corrections programs (including reentry)
• Prosecution and court programs
• Drug treatment programs - Multi-Jurisdictional Task Forces are now listed under this Program Area. All Task Forces, regardless of eligibility under the 2009 JAG solicitation are eligible to apply under the 2009 JAG Recovery funding. Previous funding caps for Rural Task Forces have also been removed.
• Crime Victims and Witness Protection (other than compensation)

Exclusions: No JAG funding will be permitted for the following items/areas:

• Vessels or aircraft
• Luxury Items
• Real estate
• Construction projects, other than penal or correctional institutions
• Any similar matters

Limitations: Due to the wide range of prices and limited funds, the JAG Board has set limitations/funding caps on the following:

• Warranties are limited to one year unless included in a bundle package
• Computers (includes both laptops and desktops) – maximum federal funds applicants can request is $1,500 per unit
• Vehicles – maximum federal funds applicants can request is $10,000

How to Apply

Applications, instructions, and supporting documentation can be obtained through the OAJJA web site at http://dcj.state.co.us/oajja/AAFs/JAG_Byrne_AAF.html.

For more information about the grant program and how to obtain and submit an application, visit the Division of Criminal Justice web site, http://www.dcj.state.co.us/.

For additional information about how Colorado is putting the recovery act to work across the state, visit www.colorado.gov/recovery.

Questions??

• Kenya Lyons, Grant Manager, (303) 239-4475, kenya.lyons@cdps.state.co.us 
• Lance Clem, 303-239-4415, lance.clem@cdps.state.co.us
• Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us

Source: http://www.schoolsafetypartners.org/Funding/166.html