FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 19, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that $1,873,594 in federal grant funding is now available through a new program to increase public safety through mental health, crisis response, suicide prevention, gun safety initiatives and public safety campaigns.
The funds are allocated through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022. The Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) will be awarded to units of local government and not-for-profit organizations to implement state crisis intervention court proceedings and related programs or initiatives.
“This new source of federal funding is yet another way we are increasing public safety throughout the commonwealth,” said Gov. Beshear. “By funding crisis intervention, we can divert individuals from the criminal justice system, save lives and make our communities safer.”
The State Crisis Intervention Advisory Board adopted five program areas for priority funding: court programs and court-based diversion programs; behavioral health initiatives and crisis response; community crisis intervention and co-responder programs and training; suicide prevention initiatives, particularly those related to veterans and youth; and gun safety initiatives, including education and public awareness campaigns and gun safety device distribution.
“Crisis intervention allows us to provide necessary mental health resources to those in immediate need, and this new funding opportunity will strengthen our capabilities from each end of the state,” said Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Keith Jackson. “By working with community partners, we will continue helping Kentuckians through some of their toughest times.”
More information about the Kentucky Byrne SCIP grant program can be found here.
Applications are due by Sept. 27, and awards are expected to be announced in December. Assistance with the application process may be obtained by contacting grants management staff at JUSIGX@ky.gov.
Applications must be submitted online via Intelligrants 10.0 (IGX), the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet's electronic grants management system. New applicants will be required to establish an account and become familiar with the system well in advance of the due date. Applicants should also note that validating a new user account requires 48 to 72 hours. Applicants must also possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from the federal System for Award Management at sam.gov to be eligible to receive a VOCA award.
The Beshear-Coleman administration has taken several steps to support law enforcement while creating safer communities.
Recently, the Commonwealth of Kentucky released the 2023 Crime in Kentucky report published by the Kentucky State Police (KSP). The annual statewide crime report indicates crime rates have remained stable with a decline in offenses for homicide, burglary, robbery, sex offenses, kidnapping and gambling. For the last three consecutive years, homicide rates have been declining.
In June, Gov. Beshear announced that the 2023 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report showed that the commonwealth saw a nearly 10% decrease in drug overdose deaths last year. This is the second consecutive annual decrease.
The administration has also recorded the three lowest recidivism rates in over a decade. This year, Gov. Beshear announced a new website to support Kentuckians seeking second chances find a job, get an education or continue recovery. The site also connects business leaders with resources to help them hire second-chance talent.
Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has awarded nearly $10 million in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies with enhancing public and officer safety, curbing the sale of illegal drugs and fighting addiction, and more than $133 million in grant funding to victim service agencies across the commonwealth.
In June 2022, Gov. Beshear announced the Military to Law Enforcement Program (M-2-LE). The program allows local law enforcement agencies in Kentucky to hire active service members within all U.S. military branches during their last 180 days of service. Upon being contracted by a law enforcement agency, the military member will continue to receive their pay and benefits from the U.S. Military while they undergo law enforcement training at the Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT).
In July 2023, Gov. Beshear broke ground in Richmond on a new law enforcement training facility named in honor of Jody Cash, who lost his life in the line of duty May 16, 2022, while serving as chief deputy of the Calloway County Sheriff's Department. Members of the Cash family, as well as state and local officials and staff from the DOCJT, joined the Governor in taking a step forward to enhance the safety of Kentucky's nearly 8,000 peace officers who risk their lives every day to protect Kentucky families.
Click here to review some of the additional actions the Beshear-Coleman administration has taken to support law enforcement, increase public safety and support crime victims.
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