By Tiffany Williams –
On Monday, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) announced a series of grant awards to organizations throughout the state to reduce community gun violence in the state.
The funds are being distributed with guidance from the Commission of Community Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention to COMPASS Youth Collaborative in Hartford, the Justice Education Center which serves West Hartford and Hartford, Connecticut Violence Intervention and Prevention (CTVIP) in New Haven, Greater Bridgeport Area Prevention Program (GBAPP) in Bridgeport, Career Resources Inc and Hang Time in Bridgeport, Ledge Light Health District in New London, and Roca in Hartford.
“One of our main goals is to build and foster strong relationships with these local organizations that are involved in community violence and gun violence prevention and intervention,” said Commissioner Juthani, chair of the Commission on Community Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention. “This funding will support these community-based programs for their growth and expansion to high-risk geographic areas throughout Connecticut.”
Each of the seven awards is in an amount of up to $88,330 annually for up to three years, for a total of up to $264,990 per award.
Connecticut Children’s will provide all seven grant recipients with technical assistance to award grantees to support both fiscal and programmatic administration.
The grants are funded by the State General Fund for Gun Violence Prevention as well funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) for community violence prevention programs that address and respond to the increase in homicides.
The Commission on Community Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention was established through Public Act 22-118 to advise DPH on evidence-based prevention programs and strategies to reduce community gun violence in the state.
At the Greater Bridgeport Area Prevention Program (GBAPP) in Bridgeport, the Teen Fathers Program will work with young fathers re-entering the Bridgeport community after being incarcerated Participants will build parenting skills, receive case management, and strengthen their familial relationships.
With grant funding, the COMPASS Youth Collaborative in Hartford is enlisting a community health worker to connect people affected by violence to resources for basic needs, mental and physical health care, and COMPASS’ own Peacebuilder mentors, who are trained to use cognitive behavioral therapy principles to prevent future violence.