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 awarded a total of $500,000.00 in state funding with no local match required. Grant proceeds will allow the Office of Youth and Young Adult Opportunities to continue its work in supporting both existing and new gun violence intervention and prevention programs.
Recommendation:
Approve.
body
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services has awarded the City of Hampton, Virginia (the “City”) the 2021 Virginia Gun Violence Intervention Program ("GVIP") Grant in the amount of $500,000.00 in state funding;
WHEREAS, the Virginia GVIP Grant award requires no local match;
WHEREAS, the total award of the Virginia GVIP Grant, in the amount of $500,000.00, will be used by the Office of Youth and Young Adult Opportunities to continue its work in supporting both existing and new gun violence intervention and prevention programs; and
WHEREAS, the grant award covers the period June 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia hereby amends its Fiscal Year 2022 Council Approved Budget to accept and appropriate the 2021 Virginia Gun Violence Intervention Program Grant award in the amount of $500,000.00, and any supplemental funding, from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to the Grant Fund for the purpose of supporting both existing and new gun violence intervention and prevention programs in accordance with the grant agreement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take any and all actions necessary to implement this grant award.