South Gwinnett News

Duluth, GA — Yesterday, Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-07) and Community Justice Action Fund co-hosted an informational briefing at her Duluth district office spotlighting the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI), which she and other Congressional Black Caucus Members championed in Washington. The initiative aims to prevent and reduce gun violence through comprehensive, evidence-based violence intervention and prevention programs and currently has an open solicitation. The DOJ will award $100 million through this program this year.

Stakeholders from across Georgia’s Seventh Congressional District attended the meeting, including city and county government leaders, metro-Atlanta school district officials, community-based organizations, and local law enforcement representatives.

“Again and again and again, we see communities and families devastated by senseless tragedies, including a recent shooting right here in the metro Atlanta region,” McBath said. “This violence underscores the urgency with which we must act to implement solutions to prevent these tragedies. I am grateful to Community Justice Action Fund for being such an essential partner in our work to save lives and keep families whole.”

“Connecting communities with resources available to address gun violence and promote safety is vital to ending this public health crisis. The Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative reflects a significant federal commitment to investing in evidence-based solutions and fostering strong partnerships among community organizations,” said Greg Jackson, Community Justice Executive Director. “Congresswoman Lucy McBath has been a tireless fighter for the resources our communities need to heal from gun violence and to tackle its root causes. We are eager to ensure GA-07 constituents and communities nationwide access these funds, and look forward to our continued partnership with Congresswoman McBath and other lawmakers in Washington to pass meaningful legislation that will keep our communities safe from violence.”

Administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) within the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) at the DOJ, CVIPI supports community partnerships and must be carried out within a 36-month period. The initiative focuses on targeted violence intervention and support, community-centered and equity-focused approaches, integration with public safety and public health, and strategic, data-driven, and performance-focused investments. The program includes funding categories for nonprofits and for-profits, municipal governments, state governments, and capacity building for community-based organizations via intermediary organizations. In FY22, DeKalb County and Fulton County received a combined total of $3.5 million in CVIPI awards. 

Interested entities must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) and submit applications electronically through Grants.gov and JustGrants. The Grants.gov submission deadline is May 18, 2023, at 8:59 pm EST, and the JustGrants deadline is May 25, 2023, at 8:59 pm EST. For additional resources, visit the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide, BJA's CVIPI Solicitation Webinar, and BJA's Community Violence Intervention Site.

Original source can be found here.