JAG-C and the Drug Abuse Trust Fund Grant FY24 Application Updates, Questions and Answers

Please note: The JAG application has been updated to clarify that applicant organizations must be either a local unit of government, a political or law enforcement agency or a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in the State of Florida for at least one year prior to application. Additionally, the e-verify affidavit template is provided for use in the Required Documents tab, and submission of your organization’s W-9 has been requested.

Updates made to the Trust Fund application include the addition of the e-verify template.

Questions and Answers

Is it possible to view a previous applicant’s application as a reference for the one we intend on submitting?

A link to previous years’ award recommendations can be found at: Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Countywide Grant Awards. See Justice Assistance Sample Grant Application – Tarpon Springs Police

Where can I find the outcomes/goals template that is required for our JAG application?

In the online application, Section E – Program Outcomes and Goals, Appendix A.  

Example - Goal 1: The Homeless Peer Mentoring Program enhances the social well-being of the program participants.

Outcomes	Indicators	Evaluation	Measure Intervals
Outcomes Described the changed sate in the program participants or broader community that can be measured and identified. Include % change.	Indicators - Identify qualitative and quantitative indicators to measure the outcomes.	Evaluation - Identify how these outcomes will be measured (e.g. surveys, staff observation, program plans, assessments, self-reports)
Example: 70% of program participants will gain skills to better socialize in the public.	Example: 1. Program participants will report on socialization evaluation that they have engaged in conversations and/or activities with other people in the community. 2. Participants report they have built friendships with people. 3. Participants demonstrate social skills in individual sessions.	Example: 1. XYZ evaluation tool 2. Self-report 3. Staff observation	Example: 1. Admit/Discharge 2. Monthly 3. Monthly
Example: 80% of program participants report feeling good and are experiencing improved self-esteem.	Example: 1. Program participants report feeling confident, positive, and happy.	Example: 1. XYZ evaluation tool 2. Staff observation	Example: 1. Monthly 2. Monthly

Is there a minimum/maximum amount we can ask for (in the JAG solicitation)?

There is no set minimum or maximum request for the grant solicitation. Historically, most applications have fallen around the $25,000 range. Last year, several programs recommended for funding came in at the $40,000 to $50,000 range. A link to previous years’ award recommendations can be found at: Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Countywide Grant Awards. It will be important to provide support for your requested amount for the reviewers.

Is there a budget template you want to be used for this application (Trust Fund)?

There is no template; however, estimates and/or bids are highly recommended, and the budget narrative should clearly identify the items to be purchased or paid for, the cost and the necessity of those items for the project.

Is there a required number of bids to be included (Trust Fund)?

There is no requirement to include estimates/bids, but they are highly encouraged to substantiate the cost of request.

Is it easy to set up a SAM.gov account?

To obtain a sam.gov unique entity ID, visit SAM.gov and click on “Get Started.” JAG guidance indicates that new registrations can take an average of 7-10 business days to process.

Can any portion of the award be used to hire contractors to implement programming?   

Subcontracting is allowed but must be identified and explained in the application. Generally, the preference is for the applicant to be the primary service provider of the program.

Can any portion of the award be used to hire contractors to implement programming?   

Subcontracting is allowed but must be identified and explained in the application. Generally, the preference is for the applicant to be the primary service provider of the program.

Please confirm that government entities will not be required to submit 501(c)(3) documentation.   

Correct. Government entities and law enforcement organizations do not need to upload 501(c)(3) documentation.

When will the Substance Abuse Advisory Board Meet?

The Substance Abuse Advisory Board (SAAB) will be meeting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15, at the Epicenter, 13805 58th St. N, Clearwater 33760 – Room 2-304. This information is also posted on the County calendar and the Human Services homepage in the event of any updates or changes.

Are there any specific types of programs to be funded with the JAG?

The only eligibility requirement in the application is to choose a program purpose area. The SAAB does not have defined priority areas; however, there are Statewide and Federal Priority Areas outlined in the state documentation and the application does solicit information about meeting these priority areas.  Additional information on those priorities can be found here: FY2022-JAGC-Subgrant-Solicitation_Updated-07-06-23.aspx (state.fl.us).

Our organization is always interested in learning how we can improve our grant applications. We would appreciate any feedback on how we might be able to improve our application to ensure full funding in the future.

The Drug Abuse Trust Fund is budgeted at $35,000 and can be highly competitive with applications ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. We encourage all applicants to fully review the requirements and guidelines to inform funding requests and thoroughly respond to the questions with supporting detail that helps to demonstrate the community need, project description and budget with appropriate supporting information and detail as presented in the application. Requests should be thorough and responsive to help reviewers with the evaluation.

Will there be instructions published?

Information can be found in the Program Description section for each application in Neighborly. The same information is included below for reference.

Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Countywide Application (JAG-C) FY 2023-2024

I. Introduction

Pinellas County Human Services is now accepting applications for federal funding through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Countywide (JAG-C). JAG-C provides financial assistance to local projects that work to prevent and reduce crime and improve the criminal justice system. JAG-C is a pass-through grant of federal funds allocated to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. This solicitation is administered by Pinellas County Human Services. The Substance and Alcohol Abuse Advisory Board (SAAB) will review all applications and make award recommendations for final approval by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners and the FDLE.
 
Applications must meet criteria set forth in this solicitation and by FDLE which can be found here. The funding period for this application is October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 (FY24). The anticipated FY24 allocation for Pinellas County is $250,805.00.

II. Application Timeline

Application opened Wednesday July 26, 2023

• Non-mandatory Online Technical Assistance Meeting: Monday, July 31 at 3 p.m. and Tuesday, August 1 at 10 a.m. Link: Human Services Department – Pinellas County
• Question and Answer Period Closes: Wednesday, August 2 at 4 p.m. Responses will be posted by Thursday, August 3 at link: Link: Human Services Department – Pinellas County
• Application Closes Monday, August 7, 2023, at 4 p.m.
• SAAB Review and Recommendation Meeting Tuesday, August 15, 2023.
• Board of County Commissioners Recommendation Approval Tuesday, September 19, 2023.
• Award Recommendations due to FDLE Monday, October 2, 2023.

The submission deadline for all applications is August 7 at 4 p.m. (no exceptions). Please allow time for submission and technological challenges, as late applications will not be accepted.

III. Application Criteria

1. Applicant organizations must be either a local unit of government, a political or law enforcement agency, or a 501c3 not-for-profit organization incorporated in the State of Florida for at least one (1) year prior to application.
2. Organizations must utilize the online application. For questions regarding your application, please contact: Maggie Miles at mamiles@pinellas.gov.
3. JAG funds may be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice in any one or more of the following purpose areas:
   • Law enforcement programs
   • Prosecution and courts programs
   • Prevention and education programs
   • Corrections and community corrections
   • Drug Treatment and Enforcement programs
   • Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs
   • Crime victim and witness programs
   • Mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams.
   • Implementation of state crisis intervention court proceedings and related programs or initiatives, including, but not limited to mental health courts; drug courts; veterans courts; and extreme risk protection order programs.
4. Federal and statewide funding priority areas can be found in the JAG-C solicitation document found here.
5. Exclusions (not all-inclusive): JAG funds may not be used (whether directly or indirectly) for any purpose prohibited by federal statute or regulation, including those prohibited by the JAG Program statute (34 U.S.C. § 10152).
   • Supplanting: JAG funds may not be used to supplant state or local funds. See BJA’s JAG FAQs for examples of supplanting.
   • Security Enhancements for Non-governmental Entities: JAG funds may not be used for security enhancement or equipment for non-governmental entities not engaged in criminal justice or public safety.
   • Additional Restrictions: JAG funds may not be used to pay for any of the following items unless approved by the BJA Director: (A) vehicles (excluding police cruisers), vessels (excluding police boats), or aircraft (excluding police helicopters); (B) luxury items; (C) real estate; (D) construction projects (other than penal or correctional institutions); or (E) any similar matters.
   • The use of BJA grant funds for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), including unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV), and all accompanying accessories to support UAS or UAV, is unallowable. See BJA’s JAG FAQs and JAG Prohibited and Controlled Expenditure Guidance for more information.
   • Note: FDLE will not approve the purchase of trinkets such as hats, mugs, portfolios, t-shirts, coins, gift bags, etc., with grant funds. Additional cost elements FDLE will not approve include, but are not limited to gift cards/certificates, bus/transportation passes, entertainment costs, etc.
   • Grant funds may NOT be used to pay for extended warranties, service agreements, contracts, etc., covering any periods that extend beyond the project end date. Funds may be prorated for services within the project period.
   • Project Adjustments: Retroactive (after-the-fact) approval of project adjustments or items not currently in the approved subaward will only be considered under extenuating circumstances. Subrecipients who incur costs prior to approval of requested adjustments do so at the risk of the items being ineligible for reimbursement under the award.
6. If awarded grant funding, applicant must submit timely quarterly reports, regular invoices, and may be required to present on program successes and challenges at an annual SAAB meeting, typically held in the fall.
7. Past award information can be found here.

IV. Scoring Criteria

Please see attached Scoring Matrix here which will be used by reviewers to score application.

Disclaimer: Pinellas County Government reserves the right to: 1) cancel the application process; 2) accept or reject any or all applications received; 3) waive any non-substantive deficiency or irregularity, waive or remedy any technical or immaterial errors; 4) request any necessary clarifications of proposal data without changing the terms of the proposal; 5) negotiate with any qualified applicant; 6) award a contract in what it believes to be the best interest of the County; 7) cancel the request, in part or its entirety, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the County; 8) reject the program of any applicant that has previously failed to perform properly; 9) reject the program of any applicant who has failed to complete a contract within the specified timeframe; 10) reject the program of any applicant that is not in a position to fulfill a resulting contractual obligation.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Trust Fund Grant FY 2023-2024

Pinellas County and the Substance Abuse Advisory Board (SAAB) are pleased to announce the solicitation of applications for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Trust Fund award. Funding for the upcoming 23-24 fiscal year is $35,000.00. The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Trust Fund is generated from court fees in accordance with Sections 938.13 and 893.165 of the Florida Statutes.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must be nonprofit organizations that provide alcohol and/or drug abuse treatment and/or prevention programs and have at least one client-accessible office or service location within Pinellas County. To be eligible for an award your organization must be licensed as a substance abuse treatment provider under Chapter 397 of the Florida Statutes, and you must provide a copy of said license with your application.

Use of Funds

Award funds must be used for one-time-only, non-recurring expenditures such as equipment, special projects, training, renovations, and formalized prevention activities. Awards cannot be used for food and beverage reimbursements.
 
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Trust Fund Grant awards will range from $1,000.00 to $10,000.00. The project period for these awards is October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024.

Application Review Process

The SAAB will review and score each application to make funding recommendations. Recommendations will then be presented to the Board of County Commissioners for final approval.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Trust Fund Online Application Instructions

Please read the application instructions in their entirety before beginning or applying for funding. Organizations and agencies may only submit one project proposal. Submission of multiple project applications by a single organization will not be accepted.

• Budget Narrative: Be aware that the application field will not allow you to copy and paste a table or spreadsheet into the application. Include any additional Budget Narrative to explain the breakdown of how you arrived at that dollar amount.
• To accommodate tables and spreadsheets you may submit a detailed budget as an attachment in the Budget section, it does allow you to attach multiple files. This is where you would attach bids and estimates.
• The SAAB has stated they would prefer if multiple bids /estimates are submitted for purchases/ projects if possible. If needing to use a particular vendor, please explain.
• Organizations must attach information regarding their non-profit status and Chapter 397 of the Florida Statutes licenses.
• Be sure to complete all fields and be as thorough as possible.

All Grant Award Recipients Must:

• Attend the SAAB meetings and present written and oral reports as required.
• Submit to a monitoring visit by the County.
• Agree to request in writing, any changes in scope and obtain approval from the SAAB.
• Agree to complete the funded project and expend all awarded funds during the grant funding period

Application Timeline

• Application opened Wednesday July 26, 2023.
• Non-mandatory Online Technical Assistance Meeting: Monday, July 31 at 3 p.m. and Tuesday, August 1 at 10 a.m. Link: Human Services Department – Pinellas County
• Question and Answer Period Closes: Wednesday, August 2 at 4 p.m. Responses will be posted by Thursday, August 3 at link: Link: Human Services Department – Pinellas County
• Application Closes Monday, August 7, 2023, at 4 p.m.
• SAAB Review and Recommendation Meeting Tuesday, August 15, 2023.
• Board of County Commissioners Recommendation Approval Tuesday, September 19, 2023.
• Award Recommendations due to FDLE Monday, October 2, 2023.

The submission deadline for all applications is August 7 at 4 p.m. (no exceptions). Please allow time for submission and technological challenges, as late applications will not be accepted.

To see a DRAFT Sample Contract Template, click here.