Cobb County- Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)

Cobb County- Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Cobb County
Last Updated: June 03, 2025

Summary

The Cobb County Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) aims to enhance public safety and support criminal justice initiatives by providing federal funding to local governments and organizations. This grant allows funds for various programs, including law enforcement, crime prevention, and mental health initiatives, while ensuring compliance with federal regulations. The program encourages collaboration among local agencies to address crime effectively, leveraging resources to improve community safety without supplanting existing funds. Last year, Cobb County received $126,358 in JAG funding.

Overview

Background The Department of Justice is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights, increases access to justice, supports crime victims, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to states and units of local government. This JAG award will be used to support criminal justice initiatives that fall under one or more of the allowable Program Areas. Funded programs or initiatives may include multijurisdictional drug and gang task forces, crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, justice information sharing initiatives, or other programs to reduce crime and/or enhance public officer safety. Program Areas In general, JAG funds may be used to hire additional personnel and/or purchase equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following program areas: 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 related to law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teamsImplementation of state crisis intervention court proceedings and related programs or initiatives, including, but not limited to, mental health courts, drug courts, veterans’ courts, and extreme risk protection order programs Note that the statute defines “criminal justice” as “activities pertaining to crime prevention, control, or reduction, or the enforcement of the criminal law, including, but not limited to, police efforts to prevent, control, or reduce crime or to apprehend criminals, including juveniles, activities of courts having criminal jurisdiction, and related agencies (including but not limited to 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 of narcotic addiction and juvenile delinquency.” Funding Annually, the Cobb County CDBG Program Office requests proposals from local non-profit organizations, participating cities in Cobb County, Cobb County Departments, and other public agencies, including local housing authorities, mental and public health agencies, to carry out eligible activities in the County. However, as a point of reference, last Program Year, Cobb County received $126,358.00 in JAG funding.  Funding for this application cycle is contingent upon the availability of BJA funding for the JAG Program and there is no guarantee that any funds will be allocated to subgrantees.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants are limited to units of local government, law enforcement agencies, and non-profit organizations and must comply with federal guidelines contained in 2 C.F.R Part 200 and the DOJ Financial Guide.

Ineligibility

Ineligible activitiesVehicles, vessels, or aircraftLuxury itemsReal estateConstruction projects, other than penal or correctional institutionsCommingling of funds on either a program-by-program or project-by-project basisJAG funds may not be used (directly or indirectly) for any purpose prohibited by federal statute or regulation, including those purposes specifically prohibited by the JAG Program statute as set forth in 34 U.S.C. § 10152. JAG funds may not be used (directly or indirectly) for security enhancements or equipment for nongovernmental entities not engaged in criminal justice or public safety.Additionally, federal law prohibits the use of federal funds for certain activities irrespective of the federal funding source or the specifics of the grant program.  These prohibitions include but may not be limited to: Lobbying Fundraising  State and local taxes Entertainment  Fines and penalties Home office workspace and related utilities Bar charges/alcoholic beverages  Membership fees to organizations whose primary activity is lobbyingCompensation of Federal EmployeesLand acquisitionUnmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV)JAG funds may not be used to supplant state or local funds but must be used to increase the amounts of such funds that would, in the absence of federal funds, be made available for criminal justice activities. Although supplanting is prohibited, the leveraging of federal funding is encouraged. JAG award funds may not be used as a match for other federal awards.