By: Maria-Paula
Virginia will receive $6,733,892 in federal funding to strengthen public safety, improve crisis intervention systems, and expand evidence-based diversion programs across the Commonwealth, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced.
The funding, awarded to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), comes through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program and the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Formula Program (SCIP). The SCIP program was established under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, legislation championed by Senators Warner and Kaine.
“As former governors, we know firsthand that state and local law enforcement agencies are often asked to do more with fewer resources,” the senators said in a joint statement. “The safety of all Virginians, including those on the force, is dependent on law enforcement officers, behavioral health professionals, and community partners receiving the tools and training they need to respond effectively to public safety crises. We’re thrilled to announce these federal dollars that will strengthen crisis response, support evidence-based crime prevention, and make communities across Virginia safer.
“The funding package includes $4,149,031 through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The grant will support state and local law enforcement agencies and criminal justice partners through evidence-based, coordinated, and data-driven initiatives.
Funds will be used to improve law enforcement training, equipment, technology, and intelligence-led policing programs, strengthen prosecution and court operations, expand community-based crime prevention and public education efforts, enhance corrections and reentry programs, support opioid and fentanyl enforcement initiatives, improve criminal justice data systems, and bolster behavioral health response programs, including Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) and Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) initiatives.
An additional $2,584,861 has been awarded through the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) to strengthen crisis intervention systems and expand diversion strategies for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, substance use disorders, and violence-related risk factors. The funding will support local governments, courts, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, behavioral health providers, community supervision agencies, specialty dockets, victim service organizations, and community-based organizations, including those serving rural and underserved communities.
According to the senators, the investment is expected to increase diversion capacity, expand access to behavioral health treatment and stabilization services, improve coordination of crisis response efforts, increase participation and completion of specialty court programs, reduce recidivism and violent reoffending, and strengthen Virginia’s statewide crisis intervention infrastructure.
Warner and Kaine have consistently backed initiatives aimed at strengthening public safety while reforming the criminal justice system. In April, they reintroduced the Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act, which seeks to implement a series of gun violence prevention measures previously approved by Virginia lawmakers. They also supported the bipartisan First Step Act, which reduced sentences for certain nonviolent offenders and promoted rehabilitation programs to reduce repeat offenses, and were among the senators who introduced the Justice in Policing Act in 2020 to improve police accountability, increase transparency, and strengthen law enforcement training.
The senators said the latest federal investment reflects a continued commitment to equipping law enforcement and community partners with the resources needed to respond effectively to public safety challenges while expanding access to behavioral health services across Virginia.
