Blog Post

Learn How to Prepare for Disasters During National Preparedness Month

U.S. Small Business Administration • September 4, 2020

Webinar held Wednesday, September 16 at 2 p.m.

This year alone, small businesses nationwide encountered numerous challenges affecting their business operations and employees from COVID-19, wildfires, hurricanes, and earthquakes. These events are reminders that business owners with a plan to protect their organizations from the financial fallout have a greater chance of sustaining any effects caused by a disaster.  

September is National Preparedness Month, and this year’s theme is “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make your Plan Today.” Join the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, and the Insurance Information Institute on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 2 p.m. EDT for a live webinar on preparing for severe weather, future COVID-19 interruptions, and other disasters. In addition to presentations by experts from IBHS and Triple-I, two small business owners will share their stories of how they prepared for and successfully recovered from devastating disasters. 

WHAT: National Preparedness Month Webinar

WHO: Gail Moraton – Business Resiliency Manager, IBHS

            Alison Bishop – Internal Operations Manager at Spry Health, Inc.

            Alejandro Contreras – Director, SBA Office of Disaster Assistance

            Janice Jucker – Co-Owner, Three Brothers Bakery     

            Loretta Worters – Vice-President, Media Relations at Triple-I

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2 p.m. EDT


The SBA provides disaster recovery assistance following a declared disaster in the form of low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, private nonprofits and businesses of all sizes. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.
A police officer is holding a microphone in his pocket.

Homeland Security, Criminal Justice Grant Funding Available for East Texas Public Safety Projects

By East Texas Council of Governments • December 19, 2024
State agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, universities or colleges, and federally recognized Native American tribes can soon apply for FY 2026 grant funds from the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office , State Homeland Security Grant Program and Criminal Justice division. New and continuing applicants in ETCOG’s fourteen (14) county region are invited to attend FREE grant application workshops hosted by the ETCOG Public Safety division . Workshops for each grant category to be held virtually from December 18, 2024, through February 13, 2025. Grant funding will be available for the following programs: Homeland Security State Homeland Security Program – Regular Projects (SHSP-R) Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities (LETPA) Criminal Justice General Victim Assistance Direct Services Program (VOCA) Violence Against Women Justice and Training Program (VAWA) Juvenile Justice & Truancy Prevention Grant Program (SF-JJTP) Criminal Justice Program (DJ-JAG) “The goal is to improve public safety, support victims of crime, and assist jurisdictions by filling gaps in the region via funding that promotes innovative solutions to regional problems,” said ETCOG’s Public Safety Director, Stephanie Heffner. “We help applicants understand what needs to go into their grant applications and what they have to track once they receive funding from the state so we can successfully bring public safety projects to East Texas.” Workshops for Homeland Security will be held on the following dates: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 1, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 29, 2025 - 10:00 AM Wednesday, February 5, 2025 - 10:00 AM Workshops for Criminal Justice will be held on the following dates: Monday, January 7, 2025 - 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - 10:00 AM Thursday, January 23, 2025 - 2:30 PM Wednesday, January 29, 2025 - 2:00 PM Workshops are mandatory if you plan to apply for funding. To participate in a virtual workshop for Homeland Security, visit www.pineywoods911.com/homeland-security . To participate in a virtual workshop for Criminal Justice, visit www.pineywoods911.com/criminal-justice .
A woman in a police uniform is standing in a park.

$3.4M in Public Safety Grants Approved for East Texas Region

By ETCOG Public Safety • December 17, 2024
The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announces $3.4 million in grants from the Governor's Public Safety Office awarded to East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofits.
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