City of Columbia FY24 BJA JAG CVI Planning and Training Project

PROPOSAL ABSTRACT

To address the recent wave of violent crime, the City of Columbia will use FY24 JAG funds to strategically implement Community-Based Violence (CVI) Intervention initiatives by facilitating programs and coordinating services that align with the JAG Planning, evaluation, and technology improvement program area. Project activities include hosting a 3-session violence intervention and interruption training series culminating in a conference for City of Columbia leadership, staff, and stakeholders, and hosting a CVI Certification program free of charge to a minimum of 25 individuals from local Community-Based Organizations. Using this allocation, the City of Columbia aims to reduce violent crime in areas identified as perennial violence hotspots by enhancing existing efforts and implementing sustained prevention and education initiatives. Expected outcomes include; 25 new certified CVIs in the City of Columbia, increased awareness of CVI principals within the community, and a stakeholder-supported framework for the continued development of the City’s CVI program and ecosystem.