FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 03, 2003
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Department of Homeland Security
Office of the Press Secretary |
DHS to Award $35 Million for Citizen Corps Grant Program |
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The Department of Homeland Security, through the Office for Domestic
Preparedness is pleased to announce $35 million in direct grants to states for
the Citizen Corps Program. The Citizen Corps funds will be used to support
Citizen Corps Councils with planning, outreach, and management of Citizen Corps
programs and activities. This program will provide the necessary resources for
states and local communities to develop and sustain a local Citizen Corps
Council.
“It is essential to communities across the country to involve all citizens at
the state and local level in our national preparedness and prevention efforts.
The local communities are the fundamental building blocks to our nation’s front
lines in this war against terror,” said Secretary Ridge.
The FY ‘04 Citizen Corps funds were distributed based on a formula that
provided a base amount for all states and territories and the remainder of funds
based on population. The funds provide resources necessary for states and local
communities to bring together the appropriate leadership to form and sustain a
Citizen Corps Council and develop and implement a plan for the community to
engage all citizens in homeland security, community preparedness, and family
safety. In addition, the funds should be used to conduct public education to
inform citizens about their role in crime prevention, mitigation, emergency
preparedness for all hazards, public health measures, including bio-terrorism,
and develop and implement Citizen Corps programs offering training and volunteer
opportunities to support first responders, disaster relief groups, and community
safety efforts.
States are required to provide no less than 80 percent of Citizen Corps funds
to local units of government within 60 days of receipt of funds from the Office
for Domestic Preparedness. These funds may be provided as products, services, or
direct funding to directly benefit local communities who have an approved
Citizen Corps Council or who will establish a Citizen Corps Council as a
condition of receiving the assistance.
States will submit the Citizen Corps grant application as part of the overall
“one-stop-shop” package no later than November 30, 2003.
Click here for additional information and to view the state allocations.
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