(Washington, D.C.)–Congressman Jim Langevin, a member of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, today announced that the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made available over $21 million to the State of Rhode Island for anti-terrorism efforts.
 
 “As states such as Rhode Island continue to bear the financial burden of Homeland Security efforts, I am pleased that the federal government has recognized the need to provide financial assistance to support their efforts,” said Langevin.  “These federal funds will enable Rhode Island’s first responders to train and plan for, and ultimately thwart, acts of potential aggression in an effort to bolster public safety.
 
 Rhode Island is eligible for $16.3 million under the State Homeland Security Program, which helps state and local first responders pay for planning, training, equipment and other costs associated with enhancing the capabilities on a state and local level to prevent, respond  to and mitigate terrorist acts should they occur in the state.   Application forms have been posted on the DHS website, and states will have 30 days to submit their applications for these funds to ODP.
 
 The state has also been allocated $4.8 million under the new Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program  (LETPP).  According to DHS, this grant program will provide law enforcement communities with funds to enhance their capabilities to share information to preempt terrorist attacks, reduce vulnerability of certain high value targets, recognize the potential development of a threat, provide intervention activities before a threat could be executed, enhance interoperability of communications and assist in management and administration.   The program also allows for overtime costs specifically related to homeland security efforts, a critical need that was highlighted by a survey Langevin recently conducted among first responders in his district.
 
 Finally, Rhode Island has been awarded $339,000 to establish a Citizen Corps Program.  DHS states that 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.  
 
The state will be able to apply on-line for all three grant awards simultaneously through a new one-stop DHS site.  Under each of the three programs, states are required to distribute at least 80% of the funds to local government.

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