The Chief of Police for the Houston Police Department (HPD) recommends City Council approve an ordinance authorizing a Subaward Agreement with the Children's Assessment Center Foundation (CACF) in the amount of up to $457,386.14 that will be entirely funded by the FY2021 Internet Crimes against Children (ICAC) Task Forces grant award through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. The period of the grant began October 1, 2021 and ends September 30, 2025. The grant also authorizes the Children's Assessment Center Foundation as a sub-awardee for the renovation of the ICAC Task Force hub.
The ICAC Task Force grant allows HPD to continue to reduce the exploitation of children by expanding the number of affiliate law enforcement agencies and personnel dedicated to investigating and prosecuting internet-related crimes against children.
Grant funds will be used for the renovation of the Children's Assessment Center Foundation. This renovation space will serve as a regional hub and multi-agency workspace, available for all affiliated agencies to conduct ICAC Task Force operations. As the lead agency of the Houston-Metro ICAC Task Force, HPD, in partnership with the CACF, will use the ICAC grant award for the buildout and modification of HPD’s current office space at the CACF. CACF supervised the renovations and invoiced HPD for the costs. HPD will reimburse CACF for the renovation costs with the ICAC grant funds. HPD will not use any other funding source to reimburse for CACF’s renovation costs.
The target geographical area of the grant program is the Houston Metropolitan Area, which includes incorporated and unincorporated areas of Harris County, Texas; and all areas of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller Counties.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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J. Noe Diaz, Jr.
Chief of Police