Director of Strategic Communications Michelle Guido joins the podcast to talk about a program that has taken on real importance at the Orange County Sheriff's Office. The Community Crime Prevention Awards use seized drug money to support groups that give young people guidance and improve safety in neighborhoods.

Michelle explains how the idea started and how it grew into a reliable source of support for local organizations. She also walks through how applications are reviewed and why this program has become a steady point of connection between the agency and the community.

0:00 – How the Community Crime Prevention Awards began
1:12 – What the Law Enforcement Trust Fund is and how seized money can be used
2:07 – Opening the program to smaller, lesser-known organizations
2:30 – First-year launch and early success
3:25 – Growth over five years and approaching $1 million given back
4:20 – Who can apply and what types of programs align with crime prevention
5:45 – Why turning drug money into community support matters
6:55 – Award amounts, vetting, and how recipients are selected
8:18 – Common mistakes and applications that don't qualify
9:13 – Examples of funded programs and success stories
15:25 – How far the funding can go for the right groups
16:43 – Annual award event and building relationships with recipients
17:03 – Tips for first-time applicants and what criteria matter most
20:23 – What the money can and cannot pay for
21:35 – Why the program continues to grow and evolve
22:51 – Deadline, approval process, and when awards are announced
24:57 – Final thoughts and where to apply