More than $9 Million In Formula Grant Funds Allocated for New Mexico
(Albuquerque) - U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson today announced that over $9 million in grant funding has been allocated to New Mexico public safety agencies to help them address the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement was part of the Department of Justice making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump, will allow eligible state, local and tribal governments to apply immediately for these critical funds. The Department of Justice will move quickly to make awards once applications are submitted, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.
“The Department of Justice is fully committed to supporting our public servants who stand on the front-lines in our collective fight against COVID-19" said U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson. “This includes ensuring that they have the resources necessary both to protect themselves and to effectively aid the public. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplement funding will help our state and local public safety agencies to purchase essential equipment and hire the personnel they need to address this public health emergency."
“This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history and an especially dangerous one for our front-line law enforcement officers, corrections officials, and public safety professionals," said Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “We are grateful to the Congress for making these resources available and for the show of support this program represents."
The solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) in the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary. OJP will fund successful applicants as a top priority on a rolling basis as applications are received.
Funds may be used to hire personnel, pay overtime costs, cover protective equipment and supplies, address correctional inmates’ medical needs and defray expenses related to the distribution of resources to hard-hit areas, among other activities. Grant funds may be applied retroactively to Jan. 20, 2020, subject to federal supplanting rules.
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety will receive funds to respond to state needs. New Mexico’s allocation as well as other state/territory allocations can be found at:
https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/fy20-cesf-state-allocations.pdf.
In addition to the state’s allocation, New Mexico agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are also eligible to apply to BJA for additional emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions in and the amount of money they can apply for can be found by going to:
https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/fy20-cesf-allocations-nm.pdf.
For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit:
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553.
Questions for the New Mexico Department of Public Safety can be sent to DPS.GMS@state.nm.us or visit:
https://www.ojp.gov/funding/state-administering-agencies/new-mexico-state-administering-agencies
For more information about the Office of Justice Programs, please visit https://www.ojp.gov/.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at:
www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
