Community Renewal International Model Development Project

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Community Renewal International, Inc. (CRI) will use the FY 2009 Congressionally Selected Award to continue their efforts in preparing low-income communities for emergencies, disasters, and terrorism. Through a previous grant, CRI developed a model for increasing the resilience and preparedness of less fortunate citizens through a renewal and restoration process. The project targeted two high-crime/low-income Internal Care Unit (ICU) neighborhoods to develop the model, which will be used to field test on three other high-crime/low-income neighborhoods in Shreveport, Louisiana. The goal of the project is to train residents to be involved in developing a disaster plan that can be further disseminated throughout other neighborhoods, locally and nationally. Partners in this initiative includes the Terrorism and Disaster Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Caddo-Bossier Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, law enforcement, fire departments, and medical and educational personnel. Grant funds will be used to conduct a series of meetings in the three targeted ICU neighborhoods to orient residents to the planning process, and to conduct mock events which will test efforts and measure results.

NCA/NCF