The Department of Justice 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 solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, within the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will remain open for at least 60 days and be extended as necessary.

Funding is now available for the FY 2020 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) Site-Based Program. COSSAP seeks to provide financial and technical assistance to states, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments to develop, implement, or expand comprehensive efforts to identify, respond to, treat, and support those impacted by illicit opioids, stimulants, and other drugs of abuse. COSSAP aims to reduce the impact of these substances on individuals and communities, including a reduction in the number of overdose fatalities, as well as mitigate the impacts on crime victims by supporting comprehensive, collaborative initiatives.

Law enforcement officers will play a crucial role in managing the stream of panic and misinformation surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic. Education is key. Law enforcement personnel should know how to prevent the spread of the illness, and what do to if they encounter COVID-19 while in the field. It is also important that agencies have plans in place for pandemic-level outbreaks of the disease. Above all, education and preparation are the best tools that anyone, especially law enforcement officers, can have to fight diseases like COVID-19. The Regional Organized Crime Information Center (ROCIC) developed this report that contains guidance on ways to prepare for a pandemic response.

People will be leaving our prisons this week, this month, this year, as they normally do. But released to what? The process of reentry, as it has come to be called, is precarious under the best of circumstances. People who have been incarcerated face barriers in finding a home and a job, reconnecting with family and friends, and accessing needed medical and mental health care. In this blog post from the Council of State Governments, the authors ask seven questions about reentry amid confusion surrounding COVID-19.

Preparation is key for 911 centers in every scenario.  Mass shooting incidents are increasing throughout the country, so preparing for the initial calls, gathering the information, and relaying that information to first responders is essential.  Equally important is the response in the days and weeks following the active incident. This no-cost webinar will focus on the initial response as well as the needs of the dispatchers following the active response, including what information to collect from caller, steps to take during the incident that are not always considered, and actions to prepare before an incident occurs.

Date: Tuesday, April 14
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., ET