Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced the distribution of $4.6 million in grant funding to 140 Ohio law enforcement agencies, courts, victim service groups, probation and parole departments, and corrections facilities as part of the Ohio Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) program.
“With this funding, we’re able to help those working in criminal justice fields effectively and safely carry out their law enforcement duties and help victims of crime,” said Governor DeWine. “These grants will help with the financial burden the pandemic has caused and help prevent spread of this devastating virus.”
Among other initiatives, this funding will be directed toward helping sexual assault and human trafficking victim service providers provide assistance to survivors in a safe manner. Funding will also help more than a dozen local jails with costs associated with the virus.
The funding is administered by the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, as part of the CARES Act to support agencies in taking measures to help prevent the spread of, prepare for, and respond to the spread of COVID-19. Ohio previously awarded approximately $8 million in CESF grant funding to local criminal justice agencies this summer.
OCJS continues to accept applications while funding is available, and there is no funding cap. For more information, including the list of today’s awardees, please visit www.ocjs.ohio.gov.