Department of Justice Makes $850 Million Available to Help Public Safety Agencies Address Covid-19 Pandemic

OKLAHOMA CITY – U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing today announced that $11,619,233 in grant money has been allocated to Oklahoma public safety agencies to help them address the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Department of Justice has announced that it is 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 is moving quickly to make awards, with the goal of having funds available for drawdown within days of the award.

"The speedy availability of these funds highlights the import the Department places on this pandemic, and it hopefully provides some support to hardworking public servants committed to upholding the rule of law during these challenging times," said U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing.  "This funding also demonstrates that the Department is committed to ensuring that our Oklahoman partners have some financial relief that may be needed during these unprecedented times."

"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.

Oklahoma’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, Oklahoma 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 direct emergency funding. A list of those eligible jurisdictions and direct funding amounts can be found at https://bja.ojp.gov/program/fy20-cesf-allocations.

For more information about the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, please visit https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/opportunities/bja-2020-18553. 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.  To download a photo of U.S. Attorney Downing, click here.