Collaborative Community-Based Violence Prevention

The Black Mental Health Alliance (BHMA) will use credible messengers to engage residents on the corners of the open air drug markets and in hotspots for violent crime to offer violence prevention messaging, violence intervention, mental health services, youth entrepreneurship training, and case management to decrease violence and crime. This strategy is based on evidence-informed practices such as case management, mental health services, and near-peer mentoring. The goal of the proposed project is to reduce and prevent violent crime and promote community healing. 
 

Primary activities: 1) completion of a needs assessment; 2) development and implementation of a Strategic Violence Reduction Plan; 3) ongoing program evaluation; 4) ensuring meaningful engagement by residents, victims and survivors of violence, and those at high risk of involvement in violent crime and criminal activity in all aspects of the program; and 5) the hosting of community events to encourage engagement and promote social cohesion.

Expected outcomes: 1) a decrease in crime and violence as measured by a reduction in reported crimes; and 2) increased social cohesion as evidenced by increased attendance at community events.

Service area: The Upton/Druid Heights neighborhood of Baltimore City, MD (zip code 21217). 

Intended beneficiaries: The residents of Upton/Druid Heights, particularly those at high risk of involvement in violent crime and criminal activity. 

Proposed subrecipients are: 1) the University of Maryland School of Social Work; 2) HeartSmiles; and 3) The PEACE Team.

BMHA is seeking priority consideration under Priorities 1(B) and 2. The applicant and two subawardees are culturally specific organizations serving the Black community in Upton/Druid Heights. A total of 76.3% of the requested funds will be allocated to culturally specific organizations. Of the total funds requested $1,497,988.16, $439,619 (29%) will be utilized directly by BMHA. SONS of Phoenix will receive a subaward of $429,500 (28.6%) and HeartSmiles will receive a subaward of $280,800 (18.7%). Priority 1(B) is addressed on page 12 of the Program Narrative. Priority 2 is addressed on pages 5 - 15 of the Program Narrative, where it is characterized as violent crime.