Homeland Security Grant Toolkit

The Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) plays an important role in implementing the National Preparedness System by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient Nation. The building, sustainment, and delivery of these core capabilities are not exclusive to any single level of government, organization, or community, but rather, require the combined effort of the whole community. The HSGP supports core capabilities across the five mission areas of Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery based on allowable costs. HSGP is comprised of interconnected grant programs.

State Homeland Security Program (SHSP)
The State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) supports the implementation of risk-driven, capabilities-based State Homeland Security Strategies to address capability targets set in Urban Area, State, and regional Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (THIRAs). The capability targets are established during the THIRA process, assessed in the State Preparedness Report (SPR), and inform planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise need to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events.

The following resources are available to assist local agencies and jurisdictions in achieving eligibility for Homeland Security Grant Program funds and maintaining compliance with state and federal grant administration requirements. Any questions regarding the Homeland Security Program Resource Toolkit can be directed to HOTCOG Homeland Security Staff via the “Contact Us” link.

SHSP Grant Toolkit

Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee (EPAC)

Chaired by Tom Hemrick, Emergency Management Coordinator, Hill County, the Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee exists to advise the HOTCOG Executive Committee in Emergency Preparedness activities, including planning issues, opportunities for grants and funding, disseminating new laws/regulations, and the setting of regional priorities. The Committee represents the various disciplines of emergency planning, law enforcement, fire/rescue/hazardous material response, health, and communications. The committee develops regional goals and recommends the distribution of regional funds.

The following Homeland Security Grants are scored by the EPAC and supported by the Homeland Security Program:

  • State Homeland Security Program
  • Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention - State Homeland Security Program

The following documents guide the EPAC in its mission to oversee grant funding uses to promote strategies to prevent terrorism and other catastrophic events and to prepare communities for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the security and resilience of Texas and the Nation.

The Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee has set the following Regional Priorities:

  • Regional Emergency Notification System (ENS)
  • COG Regional Planning
  • Citizen Corps Program
  • Regional Special Response Teams and Equipment
  • Land-Mobile Radio (LMR) Communication System Infrastructure

Projects that address the regional priorities may be awarded up to ten (10) points may be awarded on the scoring sheet.

If you have any questions about the Homeland Security grant program, process or procedures please contact Wayne Stovall, Andy Davis, or Lana Gudgel at 254-292-1800

Grant Workshop Schedule

Eligible Organizations interested in applying for Homeland Security or Criminal Justice Grant funds must attend a Grant Workshop. These workshops cover the basics of the following topics, eligibility, project writing, eligible activities, grant writing/application, ethics training, and more. HOTCOG will be offering eight sessions this grant cycle.

DateMorning SessionAfternoon SessionLocationAdress
January 9th, 2024 (Tuesday)9:00 AM - 12:00 PM1:00 PM - 4:00 PMHOTCOG Training Room1514 S. New Road, Waco, TX 76711
January 11th, 2024 (Thursday)9:00 AM - 12:00 PM1:00 PM - 4:00 PMHOTCOG Training Room1514 S. New Road, Waco, TX 76711
January 16th, 2024 (Tuesday)9:00 AM - 12:00 PM1:00 PM - 4:00 PMHOTCOG Training Room1514 S. New Road, Waco, TX 76711
January 17th, 2024 (Wednesday)9:00 AM - 12:00 PM1:00 PM - 4:00 PMHOTCOG Training Room1514 S. New Road, Waco, TX 76711

Jurisdictions are only required to attend one workshop per grant cycle, and registration prior to attendance is not necessary.

If you have any issues or questions regarding the grant workshops, please contact Andy Davis or Lana Gudgel at 254-292-1800.

Grant Funding Opportunities

Click Here to Access grant opportunities that are available to eligible jurisdictions.

All grant applications must be submitted and certified in the eGrants system by 5:00 pm on Thursday, February 8th, 2024.

The links below contain a grant timeline with key dates and a copy of a letter that was mailed to officials across the region with information about this grant cycle.

Letter to Officials - Notice of Grant Funding Opportunities

Eligibility for Grant Funds

The following resources are designed to assist jurisdictions and agencies in becoming eligible for Homeland Security Grant Program funds. In order to apply for funds, jurisdictions and agencies must complete all necessary actions to become eligible for funding.

Useful Tools and Resources

The following resources are designed to assist jurisdictions and agencies in applying for Homeland Security Grant Program funds. Provided resources include assets to inform jurisdictions and agencies of the process utilized to apply for, prioritize, and allocate grant funding.