Kentucky: Office of Minority Empowerment

Amount of Funding Received

The Grants Management Branch receives approximately $13M per year from various federal and state programs; almost all of it is awarded to agencies for criminal justice program operations. Each grant program has its own objectives, allowable uses of funding, matching and eligibility requirements, and management/oversight requirements. Most awards are trending down, from mildly to significantly, over the past five years.

Where Does The Money Go?

Funds are awarded based on the eligibility requirements contained in the federal program guidelines, and state policies and priorities, to:

State Agencies
Local Units of Government
Private, Non-Profit Organizations

Competitive Grant Awards

Funds awarded on a competitive basis are based on a grant application that is reviewed by both office staff and an independent review committee, awards are subject to specific federal and state conditions, and final approval rests with the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary and/or Governor.

Competitive Process Grants

Edward Byrne Formula Program: to reduce and prevent illegal drug activity, crime, and violence and to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system. (Currently being phased out.)

Justice Assistance Grants: to reduce and prevent illegal drug activity, crime, and violence and to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system. (Replaces Byrne and LLEBG grants.)

Law Enforcement Service Fee Fund: to assist law enforcement agencies in their efforts to reduce DUI and state funding is derived from the fee paid by offenders convicted on charges of driving under the influence.

Violence Against Women Formula Grant: to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violent crimes against women, and to develop and strengthen victim services in cases involving crimes against women.

Victims of Crime Act Program: to provide direct services to crime victims.

Specific Grant Awards

Funds received as a pass-through for a specific project are reviewed at the federal level. Upon award, the Grants Management Branch subgrants the funds to the designated agency or organization.

Specific Agency/Project Awards

Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program: to purchase body armor for state agency law enforcement officers.

Byrne Discretionary Grant Program: various special criminal justice initiatives sponsored by USDOJ.

National Criminal History Improvement Program: to establish or improve the state’s computerized criminal history record systems.

National Forensic Sciences Improvement Act: to improve quality and timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner services in the state.

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program: to develop and implement residential substance abuse treatment programs within state and local correctional facilities in which prisoners are incarcerated for a period of time sufficient to permit substance abuse treatment.

Rural Domestic Violence Program: to enhance the safety of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, and child victimization in rural jurisdictions.

State Justice Statistics Program: to establish and operate the Kentucky Statistical Analysis Center to collect, analyze, and disseminate justice statistics.

Kentucky Justice & Public Safety Cabinet