Willacy County approves district attorney applications for two victim‑services grants

Willacy County Commissioners Court voted Dec. 29 to authorize the district attorney’s office to apply for two separate grant programs administered by the Texas Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Division.

A representative of the district attorney’s office said the first is a renewal application for the Violence Against Women Justice and Training Program for fiscal years 2026–27. The office plans to include the county’s typical 30% local match (already budgeted) and noted the Feb. 12 application deadline. The resolution presented to the court names the county judge as the authorized official who certifies documents and the county auditor as the financial officer required by the grant application.

The second application is a Victims of Crime legal assistance and direct‑service program grant to support the county’s victim‑advocate unit. The DA’s office said the grant would fund three victim advocates, cover part of the domestic‑violence unit’s work and pay roughly 20% of a legal‑assistance staff position; the court approved authorization to apply and the associated resolution language.

Commissioners voted to approve both applications and the accompanying resolutions authorizing filing and setting the required local match responsibilities. The court’s approvals allow staff to complete and submit grant applications by the stated deadlines; acceptance of awards would return to the court for approval if offered.