COVID-19 Response Funds, $850M for Public Safety, Iowa 2020

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA – In a desperate bid to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa has announced that $850 million in emergency funding will be made available to public safety agencies across the state.

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 goal is to have funds available for drawdown within days of the award.

“Iowa’s public safety officials have always answered the call to protect our communities in times of crisis, and the COVID-19 outbreak is no different,” said United States Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr. “We are hopeful these funds can quickly be put to use to help those who are putting their health and safety on the line to protect us all during this unique and hazardous time.”

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan echoed Deegan’s sentiments, stating, “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.”

The solicitation, posted by the Bureau of Justice Assistance in the 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.

Agencies that were eligible for the fiscal year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program are candidates for this emergency funding. A complete list of eligible jurisdictions and their allocations 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/.

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