DOJ Announces Community-Based Violence Prevention Demonstration Program

A newly announced program from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)  supports community-based strategies to reduce violence. Through the Community-Based Violence Prevention Demonstration grants, applicants must provide alternatives to violence when gangs and individuals in the community are making risky behavior decisions as well as increase awareness of the perceived risks and costs of involvement in violence among high-risk young people. Funds must also be used to build community capacity to better respond to issues that affect them, including community-based violence.  In addition, the grant program seeks to fund only applicants that propose reduction strategies that are evidence based and have demonstrated effectiveness through research and evaluation.  Although funding will be awarded directly to states and local government entities, the program will require applicants to engage with community leaders and outreach workers to help intervene in conflicts and promote alternatives to violence. Nonprofit organizations with extensive experience in this field may want to partner with the state or local government entities.

OJJDP will make multiple awards for as much as $2.2 million for a 3 year period. Applications are due May 23, 2011.