The official website of the State of Mississippi

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • 2024-MOHS has been awarded the FY23 Target Violence and Prevention Grant. Great programs and projects coming soon.  
  • 2024 CERT Programming Opportunities and Training-Coming Soon

The Mississippi Office of Homeland Security (MOHS) receives funding through the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) provides financial support to state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) jurisdictions to help them build, sustain, and deliver core capabilities identified in the Goal.

A key focus and requirement of the HSGP is to prevent terrorism and other catastrophic events and to prepare the Nation for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the security of the United States, including risks along the Nation’s borders.

The HSGP supports investments that improve the ability of jurisdictions nationwide to:

• Prevent a threatened or an actual act of terrorism.

• Protect citizens, residents, visitors, and assets against the threats that pose the greatest risk to the security of the United States.

• Mitigate the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of future catastrophic events.

• Respond quickly to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs in the aftermath of a catastrophic incident; and/or

• Recover through a focus on the timely restoration, strengthening, accessibility, and revitalization of infrastructure, housing, and a sustainable economy, as well as the health, social, cultural, historic, and environmental fabric of communities affected by a catastrophic incident, and do so in a manner that engages the whole community while ensuring the protection of civil rights.

Mission Areas

FEMA Grant Programs

The Mississippi Office of Homeland Security (MOHS) provides grant funding opportunities to state, local, and tribal efforts across Mississippi. All funds are provided by federal grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

These federal funds support projects that help prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks. Terrorist attacks are not always what we see in international news. Terrorism can be something much more local and impactful to our local communities, such as school shootings, crimes against persons, violent demonstrations, active shooter situations and more.

The MOHS funds efforts across the following grant programs:

  • Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP): The HSGP grant is provided to local police, fire departments and emergency operations agencies for protection against terrorism attacks.  Funds can be used for equipment, training/exercises, and supplies for awarded programs.
  • Operation Stonegarden: Operation Stonegarden funding is for sub-recipients that focus on protecting the states borders, primarily around our coastal area. Funds are part of the HSGP grant funding.
  • Community Preparedness Grant: These are small mini grants funded by the HSGP that will focus on building community preparedness programs such as neighborhood watch programs, community emergency response teams (CERT) and youth programs.
  • Non-Profit Grant Program: The Non-Profit Grant Program is for houses of worship, community centers, and non-profit organizations that are at risk for potential terrorist attacks or have had terrorism incidents occur. These funds are provided for the increase of security measures to ensure the safety of the public take part in non-profit activities. Funds can be used for training, equipment such as security cameras, fencing, doors, access panels, and security equipment.
  • Emergency Operations Center Grants: Special appropriation of funds for the building or renovation of Emergency Operation Centers. These are special appropriation projects.
  • Targeted Violence and Prevention (TVTP): Special awarded grant for the programs and projects to prevent targeted violence in communities. This grant is awarded by DHS application and awarded to those agencies that apply directly for grant.  
  • State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP): SLCGP funds are provided to local jurisdictions, with a large emphasis in rural jurisdiction. Funds are to help fill gaps, reduce risk and vulnerabilities. Funds will be planned with the help of the Mississippi Cybersecurity Planning Committee. 

Department of Justice Grant Programs:

During 2023, the MOHS has branched out into looking for new and innovative programs that serve the missions within the MOHS. During that process, the MOHS was awarded the following grant programs through the Department of Justice Programs Grant Program:

  • COPS- Anti-Methamphetamine Program: In partnership with the MS Department of Narcotics, this grant program will work with local agencies on the investigation and response to reducing methamphetamines with Mississippi. 
  • Kevin and Avonte Grant Program: This program was awarded for (2) Grant Programs.
    • Project A: Locative Devices/Technology
    • Program B: Search and Rescue Response and Training Opportunities. 

Grant Notice of Funding Opportunities, Applications, Funding Guidelines, and Grant Writing:

All available grant notices of funding, applications and funding guideline information is updated annually and posted on the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security website under each program section. 

Notice of Funding: Each grant opportunity will have Notice of Funding posted on the MOHS website, along with being provided to previous awardees and anyone that requested information throughout the year about grant opportunities. The Notice of Funding will provide information on eligibility, application release, grant writing opportunities, deadlines and provide information about the upcoming grant.

Application: On the release date, the Grant Application, along with any funding details will be posted on the MOHS website.

Funding Guidelines: Along with the release of the Grant Application, the MOHS will also provide a Funding Guidance document to aid with the development of the Grant Applications. This guide will provide details about the grant, federal priorities, mission areas, eligibility requirements, and information on items that are allowable or unallowable for grant funding.

Grant Writing Session: Also, during the Grant Application period, the MOHS will host grant writing sessions to aid in the development of an application, along with detailed step-by-step instructions, provide updates on the funding and answer any questions that applicants may have.

Homeland Security State Advisory Committee:

The establishment of the State Advisory Committee (SAC) is required by the HSGP as a federal requirement for federal funding. Per the requirement, the MOHS must establish a SAC that will help and support the MOHS, in efforts regarding domestic security issues. The SAC will work with the MOHS to support a whole community approach for emergency preparedness and management, while enhancing core capabilities aimed at achieving the National Preparedness goal. The SAC is authorized and empowered by Executive Order No. 916. 

Per the federal requirement, the SAC will establish a Charter and provide recommendations to the MOHS on the following areas.

  • Threat Hazard Identification Risk Assessment (THIRA)
  • Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR)
  • HSGP Funding Processes and Award Processes
  • Strategy and Policy
  • Management and Implementation of Projects

The SAC will meet twice a year (Spring/Summer and Fall Winter), but may call additional meetings, as needed. 

State Advisory Committee Charter

FEMA Grant Links and Other Federal Resources: