In-Synch Systems, LLC

Does anyone else think that all of this grant business is a bit confusing?  Did you know that it is highly likely that your agency qualifies for a grant and that the application deadlines ARE THIS MONTH?

Your neighbors at In-Synch Systems have spent considerable time researching and summarizing the funding opportunities that are available to your agency. 

Obviously, we would love you to consider making a grant application for one of our products - RMS, Dispatch, Crime Analysis, Custom Development and Integration projects - but we ultimately want you to be connected to the technologies, services, and people that will help you promote a safe and just community.

The following is a summary of three funding opportunities that you could seek right now.

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On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the landmark American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Recovery Act”). This is in addition to the regular JAG or Byrne funding that is available every year and must be tracked, accounted for, and reported separately from all other funds. Applications are opening now and agencies will have 4 years to use this funding however preference will be given for quick-start activities.

What does that mean? Apply now or miss out on this “stimulus” funding completely.

If your department is looking for funding from this grant, you have 3 opportunities:

1)   The Recovery Act: Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Formula Program: Local Solicitation.
Deadline 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. on May 18, 2009
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recoveryJAG/JAGrecoveryLocal.pdf

If your agency is not listed under units of local government then you can apply through:
2)   The Recovery Act - Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs Competitive Grant Program.
Deadline 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 22, 2009
  http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recovery/RecoveryRuralLE.pdf 
Under this grant there are 5 categories, agencies can submit more than one application under different categories for different projects.

3) The Recovery Act – Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program.
Deadline 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 27, 2009
  http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recovery/RecoveryByrne.pdf
Under this grant there are 8 categories; agencies can submit more than one application under different categories for different projects.
To see if you qualify for Local funding, review the list of eligible units of local government. If your local government is not on this list, then you need to contact your State for funding opportunities. Please note: every State handles this grant differently!   We will be sending notification of state JAG applications and deadlines as they come in.

Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs Competitive Grant additional information.

In addition, "The Recovery Act - Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement  to Combat Crime and Drugs Competitive Grant Program" will solicit applications in categories that target rural states and rural areas and that include the following:

• combating rural crime
• improving rural law enforcement investigations
• enhancing rural detention
• corrections
• jail operations
• facilitating rural justice information sharing
• training and technical assistance

• combating rural crime
• improving rural law enforcement investigations
• enhancing rural detention
• corrections
• jail operations
• facilitating rural justice information sharing
• training and technical assistance

The grant announcement places priority consideration on local and tribal law enforcement agencies where the unit of local government:

1) was not eligible to receive a direct allocation from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
2) scheduled to receive a direct allocation from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 of $50,000 or less.

Also eligible for funding are state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies providing assistance to rural areas; and national, regional, state, and local public and private entities providing training and technical assistance to rural areas.   Applications for funding should be submitted through the on-line OJP Grants Management System (GMS). For additional information on the Office of Justice Programs’ Recovery Act Grant Programs, please visit the OJP website at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/recovery/.

Eligibility under the Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs Competitive Grant:

Rural areas – Any jurisdiction that is not located in a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2009/09-01.pdf
If your area appears on this list you are not eligible to apply for this grant unless your county has a population of less than 50,000.

The simple answer to the eligibility issue:

• If your agency is on the "Recovery Act: Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG) Formula Program Local Solicitation" then you should apply through that program.
• If your agency is scheduled to receive less than $50,000 through the JAG program and your county population is less than 50,000 you can also apply under the Recovery Act: Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs Competitive Grant.
• One additional opportunity is available through the Recovery Act: Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program.