Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Human Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All
Acceptance of a federal grant in the amount of $1,500,000 from the Department of Justice for a Community Based Violence Intervention & Prevention Initiative for DeKalb- At No Cost to the County
Body
Information Contact: Damon Scott, Human Services Department Director
Phone Number: (404) 687-2385
PURPOSE:
To consider accepting a grant award in the amount of $1,500,000 from the Department of Justice for a Community Based Violence Intervention & Prevention Initiative and to appropriate the funds to the grant fund
NEED/IMPACT:
According to DeKalb PD statistics, aggravated assaults increased 28% from 2019-2021 and the homicide rate increased 19%. The Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) is designed to prevent and reduce violent crime in communities by supporting comprehensive, evidence-based violence intervention & prevention programs, which include efforts to address gang and gun violence, based on partnerships among community residents, local government agencies, victim service providers, community-based organizations (CBOs), law enforcement, hospitals, researchers, and other community stakeholders. If approved, the project will focus on neighborhoods of DeKalb where violent crime - is most prevalent. The intended beneficiaries include crime victims and those who live in areas with the highest rates of violence.
The purpose of this grant is to develop a DeKalb Community-Based Violence Intervention Plan that will combine County-wide violent crime surveillance with a focused public health-based program of violence intervention advocated by Cure Violence Global. DeKalb Human Services will partner with Grady Memorial Hospital and H.O.P.E. Hustlers, Inc. and top academics from Emory and Georgia State Universities on this project. DCCV-VIP will establish a data and practitioner-based early-warning system for violence to identify at-risk populations and geographical spaces within DC for real-time tactical interventions and long-term amelioration of root cause issues.
The primary activities of the grant will include: (1) Analysis of violent crime statistics and GIS mapping to identify violent crime patterns, including gang activity. Employ said data in partnership with DeKalb courts and schools to identify those at risk and match to community-based intervention programs and wrap-around services. (2) Engage the community and seek buy-in from stakeholders to conduct a full evidence-based Community Violence Intervention assessment. (3) Conduct asset mapping to determine which community programs are needed in specific communities. (4) Partner with GMH to implement the Hospital Violence Intervention Plan (HVIP) using "credible messengers" to assist victims and perpetrators of violent crime. The award period for this grant is October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is no fiscal impact to the General Fund as this grant comes from the Department of Justice and does not require a match.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Authorize the acceptance of the grant from the Department of Justice in the amount of $1,500,000 for a Community Based Violence Intervention & Prevention Initiative; Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to Execute All Necessary Documents