The Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Planning Commission (LEPC) has announced that applications for submission are available for the John R. Justice Grant Program (JRJ) effective Monday, May 20 and closing on Sunday, June 30.
The Law Enforcement Planning Commission (LEPC) — the state administering agency for federal criminal, juvenile and victim services funding — applied for and will administer the John R. Justice (JRJ) Loan Repayment Program. The grant program was enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Obama to provide loan repayment assistance for eligible state and federal public defenders and state prosecutors who agree to remain so employed for at least three years. Nationwide, the program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The award amount is based upon funds LEPC receives annually from the federal government.
Law Enforcement Planning Commission is announcing the availability of $51,840 in John R. Justice Grant Program funds. It is anticipated that 10 awards will be awarded in the approximate amount of $5,000 each. Awards may increase depending on the number of respondents. The Government of the Virgin Islands, as prescribed by the John R. Justice Grant Program guidelines, will equally share allocations between prosecutors and public defenders. As per funding guidelines, the amount paid to any individual will not exceed $10,000 in any calendar year or an aggregated total of $60,000. Any new eligible applicants will be considered for any remaining available funds.
This solicitation will provide law school loan debt relief to full-time federal public defenders and full-time prosecutors who are determined to have the least ability to repay their loans. Full-time employment is considered “not less than 75 percent of a 40-hour work week” for the purpose of this program.
Once preliminary selections are finalized, these individuals will be asked to complete and return a formal application to include income verification, school loan verification, and a John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program Service Agreement along with required documents (i.e. education loan documentation, proof of employment, etc.). Law Enforcement Planning Commission will work with the Department of Labor to determine the appropriate formula for the “cost of living adjustment” and will adjust, if necessary, for any increases in the cost of living.
Failure to submit all documents by the scheduled deadline will result in disqualification for funding. Each grant application must be received by the Law Enforcement Planning Commission electronically by 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, to rfp.responses@lepc.vi.gov. Each application must be submitted with all required signatures and all other required documents, or it will be considered incomplete.
For an application or more information, contact Carmen Potter, executive assistant to the director, at 774-6400 or via email at carmen.potter@lepc.vi.gov.
The Law Enforcement Planning Commission is committed to supporting the vital work of public defenders and prosecutors in the Virgin Islands through the John R. Justice Grant Program. By providing much-needed loan repayment assistance, we aim to alleviate the financial burden on these dedicated professionals, allowing them to continue serving the commission’s community effectively.
