State agency accepts grant applications

VW independent/submitted information

COLUMBUS — Beginning today, the Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) will accept applications for the Ohio Community-Police Relations Grant Program. Grant recipients can receive up to $30,000 to fund initiatives designed to improve relationships between communities and law enforcement agencies serving them.

“This grant opportunity is focused on assisting law enforcement and communities who want to improve, enhance or create stronger relationships,” said Karhlton Moore, executive director of OCJS.

To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the OCJS Grants Management System by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 31. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. OCJS will prioritize programs and practices that are deemed to be evidence-based.

All applications must include a:

• Title page;
• Problem statement/Target population;
• Project description;
• Timeline;
• Organization and staff capacity;
• Collaboration board;
• Executive summary; and
• Budget.

Examples of programs include community policing initiatives, training, juvenile mentoring programs, education and awareness tools, and evidence-based policing strategies.

The grants are available to units of state and local government, as well as faith-based or nonprofit organizations. To complement the grant, recipients must match at least 25 percent of the total project cost.

Also, in order to be eligible for funding, law enforcement agencies must be working toward Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Agency Certification through the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board.  In the first two weeks, nearly 50 agencies have already applied for state certification and are already eligible for these grants.

For more information on the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board or the OCJS Ohio Community-Police Relations Grant Program, please visit the OCJS website