Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2022 Council Approved Budget to Accept and Appropriate the 2021 Virginia Gun Violence Intervention Program Grant awarded by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The primary purpose of the Virginia Gun Violence Intervention Program (GVIP) grant is to support the implementation of strategies that will result in reduced gun violence in local communities. The grant solicitation was opened to localities with a demonstrated collaboration with key stakeholders and a commitment to implement evidence-based programming or promising practices that have been proven effective in reducing gun violence. Gun violence intervention and prevention programs avert interpersonal violence by working with a range of community stakeholders to provide support and intervention to those at highest risk of being a victim and/or perpetrator of violence.
The Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services ("DCJS") has awarded the City of Hampton (the "City") the 2021 Virginia (GVIP) grant in the amount of $500,000.00.
Discussion:
The Office of Youth and Young Adult Opportunities will utilize the 2021 Virginia GVIP grant award to further the City’s Comprehensive Violence Reduction Strategy (the "Strategy") which was first presented to City Council on September 23, 2020. The goal of the Strategy is to prevent youth violence through a variety of activities to include (1) street-level outreach; (2) conflict mediation; and (3) changing of community norms to reduce shootings and deaths.
The City will also strengthen Youth Connect which is an existing prevention program to engage more young people in positive, structured activities and/or necessary support opportunities before they become engaged in negative, high risk or violent behaviors. Outreach will also occur to those who have a relationship with others who have been affected by violence.
Impact:
The City has been ...
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