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CHARLESTON -- Several local community projects will receive a helping hand in the form of funding from Justice Assistance Grants.
A total of $1,204,534 has been awarded to a total of 39 projects in West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice announced this week.
"These funds will be used to assist state agencies, local units of government, and private non-profit agencies in carrying out specific programs that offer a high probability of improving the functioning of the criminal justice system," a Governor's Office press release state.
Special emphasis was placed on multi-jurisdictional projects and statewide projects that seek to create and/or retain jobs in the criminal justice system in West Virginia.
Local grant awards include:
∫ A total of $33,750 to the Randolph County Commission.
"These funds will provide one or more uniformed officers to act as a mentor, role model and advocate for students at Tygarts Valley High/Middle and Elkins Middle Schools. The officer(s) will provide course instruction on topics such as drug and alcohol awareness, social skills, and conflict resolution," the announcement release states.
∫ A total of $18,750 to the Upshur County Commission.
"These funds will provide one or more uniformed officers to act as a mentor, role model and advocate for students at Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School," according to the release.
∫ A total of $18,750 to the Barbour County Commission.
This funding "will provide one or more uniformed officers to act as a mentor, role model and advocate for students at Philip Barbour High School," the release states.
∫ A total of $18,750 to the Lewis County Commission.
The grant "will provide one or more uniformed officers to act as a mentor, role model and advocate for students at Lewis County High School," according to the release.
∫ Two grants, one for $15,000, and one for $72,000, to the City of Bridgeport.
These $15,000 grant "will provide one or more uniformed officers to act as a mentor, role model, and advocate for students at Bridgeport High School." The $72,000 grant will be utilized to support the Greater Harrison County Drug Task Force, the release states.
∫ A total of $219,284 to the West Virginia State Police, to "provide for officer salaries to continue a statewide multi-jurisdictional drug and violent crime task force," according to the release.
"These grant funds will open up more possibilities for the incredible men and women working in our justice system," Justice said. "I'm incredibly proud to award this funding. I've always said we always need to do everything in our power to help make our criminal justice system better and better, and that's exactly what this funding does."
The funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance and are administered by the Justice and Community Services (JCS) Section of the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services (DAS).