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$3.4M in Public Safety Grants Approved for East Texas Region

ETCOG Public Safety • December 17, 2024

39 Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Grant Projects Funded to Improve Public Safety and Support Victims of Crime

A woman in a police uniform is standing in a park.

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announces $3.4 million in grants from the Governor's Public Safety Office awarded to East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofits. The Governor's Public Safety Office administers federal and state grant funding to promote strategies that improve public safety, support victims of crime, prevent terrorism and prepare communities for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to Texans.


ETCOG's Public Safety Division assists jurisdictions in applying for these funds annually. Applications to be submitted for funding are ranked and scored by the ETCOG Criminal Justice Advisory Committee and Homeland Security Advisory Committee, which includes local subject matter experts from across the region.

The Governor's Office has approved a total of $3,435,484.11 for funding the Victims of Crime Act, Justice Assistance, Violence Against Women Act, Juvenile Justice / Truancy Prevention, and Homeland Security grants in East Texas.



Victims of Crime Act Funds - $2,534,695.34
 The Crime Victims Assistance Grant Program (VOCA) devotes resources to providing direct services to victims of crime to help them recover and navigate the justice system.

A table of funding amounts for various projects in texas

Justice Assistance Grants - $309,368.72

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) promotes public safety efforts, crime reduction, and system improvements.

A table with a lot of numbers on it

Violence Against Women Act Funds - $178,874.25

The STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program (VAWA) supports victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking through staff training, prevention and awareness, data collection, legal assistance, and treatment for trauma. 

A table showing funding amounts for various projects

Juvenile Assistance Grants - $82,753.91

The Criminal Justice Planning Fund No. 421 (SF-421) & Juvenile Justice & Truancy Prevention grants are for projects that prevent violence in and around schools; improve the juvenile justice system by providing mental health services, truancy prevention and intervention through community-based / school programs and projects that fill in the gaps throughout all areas of the criminal justice system and support innovative concepts and best practices to achieve a safer Texas for all citizens.

State Homeland Security Program – $329,791.89

The Office of the Governor's (OOG) Homeland Security Grants Division awards projects that prevent terrorism and improve security.

A table showing the amount of funding for various projects

"Each year, the Office of the Governor provides vital funding opportunities that greatly benefit the ETCOG region. These funds empower jurisdictions, nonprofits, district attorney offices, juvenile justice programs, and higher education institutions to access critical resources, enhance operations, and better serve East Texas communities," said Stephanie Heffner, ETCOG's Public Safety Director.

ETCOG Wins 23rd Consecutive Financial Excellence Award

By East Texas Council of Governments • December 10, 2024
ETCOG Awarded for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 23 Consecutive Years

$1.75M in Emergency Radio Infrastructure Grants Approved for East Texas

By East Texas Council of Governments • December 10, 2024
Four Critical Projects Funded to Improve Radio Interoperability

Is Your Internet Unreliable? The State Needs to Know!

By Texas Broadband Office • December 9, 2024
Act now! Submit your challenge by December 17

Regional Broadband Initiative Update

By East Texas Council of Governments • December 2, 2024
ETCOG is making significant progress toward enhancing broadband access in East Texas. We anticipate receiving final approval this week for our Tier D and E license, officially enabling us to participate in the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program challenge process. Key Partnerships Our team is actively collaborating with the Dallas Federal Reserve's BBI program, Rural LISC, Communities Unlimited, and DETCOG to advance broadband projects across the region. We are also working to secure Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for two counties that meet Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) criteria, ensuring more equitable access to broadband. Funding Secured In the past six months, ETCOG has secured $100,000 in grant funds to engage two independent broadband grant-writing organizations. These teams are focused on identifying additional funding opportunities and reviewing and developing applications for federal and state broadband programs. Recent Grant Applications ETCOG partnered with Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) to submit an application for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) $12 billion grant program. We expect to receive updates on award designations in early Spring 2025. Infrastructure Coordination This week, ETCOG met with TXDOT to explore synergies between our broadband plans and state-funded highway projects. We discussed opportunities to integrate fiber optic installation into TXDOT construction efforts, potentially reducing costs and accelerating deployment. Collaboration with the BDO In a recent meeting with the Broadband Development Office (BDO), we reviewed the status of East Texas broadband projects. The BDO commended ETCOG's ongoing efforts and invited us to participate in Austin-based training, planning, and funding opportunities to further support our broadband initiatives. Next Steps Our team is currently reviewing the new BEAD application process and coordinating with DETCOG to develop a strategic plan for upcoming funding applications. These efforts align with our mission to ensure that East Texas communities have access to reliable, high-speed internet connectivity. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to expand broadband access across the region. Questions? Contact our Special Projects Director, David Scott, at 903-218-6489.
Text overlay: Interested in joining an etcog advisory committee? on top of committee meeting photo

Interested in Serving on an ETCOG Advisory Committee?

By East Texas Council of Governments • November 6, 2024
ETCOG is now accepting interest forms from individuals passionate about making a difference in our region. We have multiple vacancies on our advisory committees, and we invite citizens in our region to submit your interest for consideration.
A close up of a brick wall with a street in the background.

TxCDBG Community Development Fund Applications Due Dec. 9

By Lindsay Vanderbilt • November 6, 2024
The Texas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Community Development Fund. Maximum award amount is $750,000 for eligible applicants. Applications are due on December 3, 2024.

ETCOG Funds Smart911 Emergency Mass Notification System for East Texas

By ETCOG Public Safety • November 4, 2024
ETCOG is proud to announce its Executive Committee approved the renewal of purchasing a mass emergency notification system as a part of its public safety program for the 14 th consecutive year. ETCOG has entered a new five-year contract with Rave Mobility for an annual payment of $80,000, funded by our Homeland Security Grant funding. This system allows ETCOG to partner with East Texas’ city and county emergency management coordinators to send messages quickly notifying citizens about emergencies such as: Tornadoes and storm events Drinking water contamination Utility outages Evacuation notices and routes Missing persons Fires or floods Bomb threats Hostage or active shooter situations Chemical spills or gas leaks Other emergency incidents where rapid and accurate notification is essential This will be the second five-year contract ETCOG has entered into with Rave Mobility, offering unlimited minutes/texting, unlimited system users, and unlimited weather warnings that instantly and automatically alert recipients based on weather in the area, including type of weather, location, and severity. It also allows emergency management coordinators to deploy messages in over 50 different language translations and integrates with social media platforms. “We are excited to continue our service with Rave Mobility to offer Smart911 alerts,” said ETCOG’s Public Safety Director, Stephanie Heffner. “The capacity to have unlimited minutes and users opens up the opportunity to partner with more jurisdictions in the region that may have not participated before. Also, we know many of our jurisdictions used to pay for weather warning services out of pocket, so we are happy to offer a cost-saving opportunity with this vendor.” The system has been contracted for Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. To sign up for Smart911 Alerts from your community, visit www.etcog.org/alerts . The system will collect information to share with first responders on your household, medical and emergency contacts, and if there are pets in the home.

Medicare Open Enrollment Starts Today - Explore Your Options with our Certified Benefits Counselors

By Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • October 15, 2024
Assistance is available to find and compare 2025 health and drug plans now
City of Quitman Mayor Randy Dunn

ETCOG Announces Quitman Mayor Randy Dunn as Chairman and Welcomes New Board Officers

By East Texas Council of Governments • October 7, 2024
ETCOG is pleased to announce its new Chairman, City of Quitman Mayor Randy Dunn, the new Board and Executive Committee Officers serving for FY 2025, and Executive Committee members serving a new two-year term. The ETCOG Board of Directors appoints the Executive Committee, which is responsible for establishing the policies, programs, and services on behalf of the Board for our 14-county region. Board Officers Chairman – City of Quitman Mayor Randy Dunn 1st Vice Chairman – Rusk County Commissioner Robert Kuykendall 2nd Vice Chairman – City of Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley 3rd Vice Chairman – Camp County Judge AJ Mason Secretary/Treasurer – Smith County Commissioner Ralph Caraway “I am proud to serve on the Executive Board for ETCOG!” said Mayor Randy Dunn. “Since the time I began serving, I have learned there is so much more that ETCOG offers than I knew before. As Chairman for the upcoming fiscal year, I hope we can offer more communication to our counties and communities, making them aware of the funding, knowledge, and assistance available to them. The population growth in our part of the state offers huge opportunities for economic growth and I want our region to take advantage of all the resources available. ETCOG staff is ready and very capable to help!” New Executive Committee Terms Cherokee County – City of Rusk Mayor Ben Middlebrooks Gregg County – Judge Bill Stoudt Rains County – Commissioner Jeremy Cook Smith County – Commissioner Ralph Caraway Smith County Cities – City of Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley New Executive Committee Members Gregg County Cities – City of Longview Councilwoman Michelle Gamboa Marion County – City of Jefferson Mayor Patricia Finstrom "I am grateful for the volunteer service rendered by all of our elected officials and particularly want to thank and congratulate our new Chairman, Mayor Randy Dunn, and the rest of our ETCOG Officers and Board members for their selfless dedication and service to our region," said ETCOG's Executive Director, David Cleveland. With an $85.4 M budget for FY 2025, ETCOG’s service programs have set forth program goals in its annual budget and planning guide. Highlights include: Area Agency on Aging of East Texas - $5,713,918 403,000 home-delivered senior meals 68,400 Senior congregate meals Respite care, caregiver support, and training Public Safety - $4,104,085 180,000 9-1-1 calls Training 2,190 peace officers Completion of establishing the Pineywoods 911 District GoBus - $13,214,118 Providing 130,000 passenger trips Completion of the new maintenance facility in Kilgore Purchase of transportation maintenance facility in Tyler Workforce and Economic Development – $61,938,817 Move to the new Longview Workforce Center $47,278,181 in Child Care funding to East Texas residents and childcare facilities $228,000 in new Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Air Quality grants To learn more about the FY 2025 budget and program goals, visit www.etcog.org/financials .
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