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Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assitance Grant (JAG) Program

Cook County (FY) 2018-H3098-IL-DJ   JAG Local Award
Application Due: October 9, 2020
Notice of Funding Opportunity

The Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS), under the leadership of President Toni Preckwinkle, has sought to build capacity as a resource to first responders as well as local jurisdictions, with respect to both administrative and operational issues.  One area where we have sought to add value is in identifying potential grant opportunities for our various partners including municipalities and not-for-profits.

With respect to the above, the DEMRS, as a grantor of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funds, is making 2018 JAG funds available for competitive application and award to eligible applicants.  The total grant funds available for federal fiscal year 2020 is $295,919.00. Successful applicants will enter into a sub-grant agreement with the EMRS in order to receive funding.

The JAG Program provides states and units of local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education programs, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, crime victim and witness initiatives, and planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.  As a recipient of JAG funds, Cook County seeks local units of government AND nonprofit partners to propose projects that meet the program’s objectives.  Grant funds will be awarded to applicants following an internal review and vetting process.

Program-Specific Information
JAG funds awarded to local units of government may be used to provide additional personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice, including any one or more of the following:

• Law enforcement programs
• Prosecution and court programs
• Prevention and education programs
• Corrections and community corrections programs
• Drug treatment and enforcement programs
• Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs
• Crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation)
• Mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams. 

EMRS intends to increase JAG investments in evidence-based projects and programs to address issues of community engagement, law enforcement education, and assistance for children/youth and families dealing with or encountering municipal law enforcement agencies.  We are specifically seeking to fund community-based programs that provide reentry services to justice involved populations, peer counseling and intensive case management to young victims of crime, and/or education to suburban youth about the effects of crime and crime prevention in their community. Consideration will also be given to programs that teach younger children about gangs, drug prevention, and other important safety skills.  Ultimately, we want to help you create safe and thriving communities within Cook County. EMRS wants to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors to your community by reducing the threat of criminal activity related to substance abuse and street gang activity.

In addition to the purposes identified above, JAG funds can support activities pertaining to crime prevention, control, or reduction, or the enforcement of the criminal law, including police efforts to prevent, control, or reduce crime or to apprehend criminals, activities of courts having criminal jurisdiction, and related agencies (including prosecutorial and defender services, juvenile delinquency agencies and pretrial service or release agencies), activities of corrections, probation, or parole authorities and related agencies assisting in the rehabilitation, supervision, and care of criminal offenders, and programs relating to the prevention, control, or reduction or narcotic addiction and juvenile delinquency.  Under this program, units of local government may also use award funds for broadband deployment and adoption activities as they related to criminal justice activities.

JAG funds may not be expended outside of the JAG purpose areas. Even within the purpose areas, however, JAG funds may not be used directly or indirectly for security enhancements or equipment to nongovernmental entities not engaged in criminal justice or public safety. Additionally, JAG funds may not be used directly or indirectly to provide for any of the following matters unless Bureau of Justice Assistance certifies, in advance, that extraordinary and exigent circumstances exist, making them essential to the maintenance of public safety and good order: vehicles (excluding police cruisers); vessels (excluding police boats); aircraft (excluding police helicopters); Unmanned Aircraft, Aircraft Systems, or Aerial Vehicles (UA/UAS/UAV); luxury items; real estate; construction projects (other than penal or correctional institutions); and any similar matters.

Eligibility
Eligible applicants are local law enforcement agencies and non-profit entities within Cook County who identify initiatives which meet one or more JAG purpose areas. 

How to Apply
Applicants must submit a budget and budget narrative outlining to the EMRS which outlines  how JAG funds, including administrative funds if applicable, will be used to support and implement the proposed program. The application can be downloaded here. You can also download this grant overview as a PDF. Applications must include the name of your jurisdiction or organization and the amount for which your organization is applying and will only be accepted if complete and in the proper format (i.e. the application template). Only one application per entity per grant will be accepted.

Application Review Information
As this is a competitive program, awards (if any) and funding levels will be subject to the number of applicants and scope of project requests. As projects may be funded in whole or in part, submitted project budgets should be detailed and specific. Submission of an application does not guarantee award. The period of performance for awards will be approximately twelve months.

Section C: Budget Detail (See Application Template)
All proposed project costs must be necessary and reasonable and in accordance with Federal guidelines. Determinations of allowable costs will be made in accordance with the Cost Principles, now found in the Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform 18 Guidance), codified at 2 CFR Part 200 and at 2 CFR Part 2900 (Uniform Guidance-DOL specific). Disallowed costs are those charges to a grant that the grantor agency or its representative determines not to be allowed in accordance with the Cost Principles or other conditions contained in the grant. Grant award recipients will be required to reimburse any disallowed costs. Applicants, whether successful or not, will not be entitled to reimbursement of pre-award cost.

Indirect Cost
Indirect costs or expenses that are not directly traceable to a department, a product, or an activity are not allowable as a grantee of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funds.

Award Administration Informati

The Pre-Award Process consists of these six steps:

Step 1: Application Development and Submission

Step 2: Application Receipt and Summary of all Submissions

Step 3: Peer Review by EMRS staff

Step 4: Funding Award Determination

Step 5: Award and Issuance of Funding

Step 6: Post-Award Administration

Deadline
The application deadline is 5:00PM CST, October 9, 2020 and all applications must be submitted via email to steven.burris@cookcountyil.gov. Funding announcements will be made no later than November 30, 2020.

Contact Information
For questions regarding the application, please contact Steven Burris, EMRS Grants Manager at steven.burris@cookcountyil.gov or via phone at 312-603-8543.