ORDINANCE authorizing the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security (“Director”) to submit an application for grant assistance to the UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR THE FY2021 TARGETED VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM PREVENTION GRANT (“Grant”); declaring the City’s eligibility for such Grant; authorizing the Director to act as the City’s representative in the application process, to accept the Grant and expend the Grant Funds as awarded, and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the program

It is recommended that Council authorize the director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety & Homeland Security to apply for, accept received awards, and to request and/or accept any amendments/modifications to this agreement or any subsequent agreements necessary to secure Houston’s allocation through this grant program (not to exceed five years).

The Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program provides funding for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, nonprofits, and institutions of higher education with funds to establish or enhance capabilities to prevent targeted violence and terrorism. Developing local prevention capabilities is a key element of Goal 3 of the Strategic Framework to Counter Terrorism and Targeted Violence. The TVTP Grant Program provides assistance to implement that goal and develops innovative solutions to prevent terrorism and targeted violence.

The City of Houston seeks to build on successes from the FY2016 Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) “Houston Building Resilience” program. Award of funds would allow us to to broaden the reach of anti-violence programs and deepen our understanding of extremism not clearly associated with known violent ideologies.

Goals:

1. Establish a formal whole community coalition of organizations to coordinate and consolidate efforts to counter violent ideologies in the City of Houston, serving as a Threat Assessment and Management team.
2. Build skillsets among high school students for lifelong community resistance to violent ideologies by providing media literacy/online critical thinking training.
3. Partner with critical community organizations to train staff to identify radicalized or influenced individuals to refer them to community organizations that can help rescue individuals from radicalized thinking.
4. Expand online and offline offerings of training for the public on resisting violent ideologies.

These proposed projects will not infringe on individual privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.

Fiscal Note:

No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.

_______________________

George T. Buenik, Director

$603,855.00 

Grant Fund  

Kimberly House, Division Manager

Mayor's Office

Public Safety & Homeland Security

Phone - 832-393-0930