The Office of the Governor - Criminal Justice Division

AACOG's Criminal Justice Planning department has been designated by the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division (CJD), as the responsible entity for regional criminal justice planning efforts for the thirteen-county area of Region 18. AACOG's CJ planners provide grant applicants technical assistance in applying for grants through CJD, administer state and federal funds, and assist communities, local governments and nonprofit entities in developing and preparing programs and projects that address criminal justice, juvenile justice, and victim services issues. AACOG's CJP department is also responsible for coordinating the grant application review and prioritization process as required by the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor's Office. With the assistance of the AACOG Criminal Justice Advisory Committee (CJAC), the grant applications are reviewed and priorities set for all criminal justice funding. Such priorities are established as the Regional Criminal Justice Plan and submitted to the Governor's Office for funding approval. AACOG provides an annual Grant Workshop for the region and provides a Grant Presentation for download. 

​Counties Served

Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, McMullen, Medina, Wilson

Criminal Justice Grant Solicitations

For full details on how and when to apply, please visit eGrants.com or click on the following link to view the Request for Applications (RFA) for Funding Opportunities.

General Victim Assistance Grant Program (VOCA)

Purpose: The purpose of this program is to provide services and assistance directly to victims of crime to speed their recovery and aid them through the criminal justice process. Services may include the following:

1. responding to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims;
2. assisting victims in stabilizing their lives after a victimization;
3. assisting victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice system; and
4. providing victims with safety and security.

Violent Crimes Against Women Justice and Training Program (VAWA) 

Purpose: The purpose of this announcement is to solicit applications for projects that promote a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach to improve the justice system’s response to violent crimes against women, including domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

Juvenile Justice & Truancy Prevention Grant Program (JJDP)

Purpose: The purpose of this announcement is to solicit applications for projects that prevent violence in and around school; and to improve the juvenile justice system by providing mental health services, truancy prevention and intervention through community-based and school programs.
Following the tragic school shooting in Santa Fe, there has been a robust statewide effort to prioritize the safety of all Texas students. CJD is highlighting the need to prevent security threats in advance through prevention and intervention with at-risk youth. Projects geared towards school safety will be given priority under this announcement.

Criminal Justice Program (JAG)

Purpose: The purpose of this announcement is to solicit applications for projects that promote public safety, reduce crime, and improve the criminal justice system.

Residential and Community-Based Services for Victims of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Youth

Purpose: The purpose of this funding is to recover victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Youth (CSEY) through collaborative efforts spanning multiple systems and to support the healing of survivors of CSEY through immediate and long-term services and supports they need to heal and thrive. Specialized services for this CSEY population may include the following:

1. placement capacity for emergency residential placement;
2. placement capacity for long-term residential placement;
3. CSEY advocates;
4. drop-in center/non-residential assessment services; and
5. innovative services that advance recovery and restoration efforts in the State of Texas.