Projects with a Focus on Mental Health, Substance Abuse to Receive Crime Prevention Grant Priority

Local governments and nonprofit organizations serving Flagler County may be eligible for Crime Prevention grants up to $30,000 through the FCSO – especially for projects that focus on mental health and substance abuse.

“This is a great opportunity for our nonprofit partners that have offices or service locations here in Flagler County,” said County Administrator Heidi Petito. “We want to get the word out about these grants to bolster our behavioral health efforts here in Flagler County.”

Grants are provided through the Public Safety Coordinating Council’s Crime Prevention Fund, and come from financial assessments that are imposed by judges on criminal defendants. Applications, which are available by contacting Sherie Gopie at 386-586-4891 or by email at sgopie@flaglersheriff.com, are due back to her no later than 5 p.m. May 31. Late applications will not be considered.

“As the Chair of the Public Safety Coordinating Council, we are announcing the application process to be considered for a grant that will be used by a qualifying entity to reduce crime and increase safety in our community,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I encourage qualifying entities to apply to allow the Public Safety Coordinating Council to consider and award a grant – up to $30,000 is available to be awarded.”

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Organization must be a local government or a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization serving Flagler County.
• All grant recipients must provide a match of 10% of the project costs (cash or in kind). In exceptional circumstances, the match requirement may be waived if the project is deemed to have a significant impact on Crime Prevention.
• The organization must serve Flagler County citizens and have an office or service location in Flagler County.
• Each organization must have a team in place to carry out the project and must provide a list of the team members along with roles, responsibilities, assignments, and qualifications.
• The grant application must include a detailed budget for the project.

Selection will be based on the following considerations:

• Potential impact of project on preventing crime within the County (priority shall be given to crime prevention projects with a focus on mental health and/or substance abuse).
• Experience of organization in accomplishing similar projects.
• Innovative or creative solutions to addressing crime prevention problems.
• Quality of application and materials submitted.

Project guidelines include:

• The organization must provide a detailed program proposal and all projects must be completed within the fiscal year approved.
• To ensure that progress is being made on the project, all grant recipients are required to provide status reports every three months, including a final report after completion of the project.
• All projects must be directly related to crime prevention and provide an overview of the anticipated Crime Prevention outcomes.
• Funding can cover training, materials and personnel.
• Funding will not cover food, drinks, and on-going maintenance costs.
• Applicants are encouraged to develop a relationship with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
• Applications will be considered on an annual basis. The review process will take approximately 4-6 weeks. The proposal will be reviewed by the Flagler County Public Safety Coordinating Council with the recommendation for funding being forwarded to the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners for consideration during their annual budget process.
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

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