Title
Accept Alternatives to Violence Program Funds
Action
Action:
A. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to accept $250,000 from the Mecklenburg County Office of Violence Prevention to support the continued implementation of the Alternatives to Violence Program, and
B. Adopt a budget ordinance appropriating $250,000 from Mecklenburg County to the Neighborhood Development Grants Fund.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Rebecca Hefner, Housing and Neighborhood Services
Raquishela Stewart, Housing and Neighborhood Services
Chad Martin, Housing and Neighborhood Services
Explanation
§ The city and Mecklenburg County have endorsed an interdisciplinary public health approach to violence prevention, including a collaborative approach to violence interruption.
§ On February 22, 2021, City Council ratified an Interlocal Agreement to support a violence interruption program. The resulting Alternatives to Violence (ATV) Program, based on evidence-based Cure Violence methodology to address violent crime, provides violence interruption services in three areas of the city: Beatties Ford Road, West Boulevard/Remount Road, and Nations Ford Road/Arrowood Road.
§ Pursuant to the Agreement, the city is the lead entity in the administration of the ATV Program, overseeing contracting with vendors selected through joint requests for proposals with the county and performing other administrative duties, and works very closely and in collaboration with the Mecklenburg County Office of Violence Prevention (OVP).
§ The county’s OVP proposes to provide $250,000 to the city as provided for in the terms of the Agreement. The funds will be used to support and strengthen the continued implementation of the ATV Program through an updated statement of work, including:
- Investing in training and professional development for ATV staff, including ongoing Cure Violence Global training for violence interrupters and community outreach workers;
- Enhancing ATV staff participation, experience, and skills in violence prevention best practices and education through conferences and workshops; and
- Continuing development of violence mitigation programming and skill-building.
- Additional ATV Program services as may be mutually agreed upon by the city and county from time to time.
§ The county’s funds do not require a city match and must be expended by December 2026 based on the guidelines governing the county’s source of funds. If any funds remain at that time they may be returned to the county or allocated towards other ATV purposes if mutually agreed upon by the city and county and permitted by the guidelines governing the county’s source of funds.
Fiscal Note
Funding: Neighborhood Development Grants Fund
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Budget Ordinance