Justice Education Center Inc

A SEVERELY UNDERSERVED GROUP, PARTICULARLY YOUNG AND TEENAGE GIRLS, FACES INCREASING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES EXACERBATED BY COVID AND RISING COMMUNITY VIOLENCE. TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES, INSPIRE PARTNERS WITH THE WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION'S CONNECTICUT SUN, LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE (PAL) PROGRAMS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE A HOLISTIC HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM. THIS INITIATIVE FOCUSES ON BOOSTING SELF-ESTEEM, TACKLING BODY IMAGE CONCERNS, AND BUILDING RESILIENCE THROUGH SPORTS, FIELD TRIPS, AND ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES.

DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT FY14 PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE

CT PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS GUN VIOLENCE DETERRENCE PROJECT

PSN-CT23 CONTINUES THE APPROACH TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN IN CT SINCE 2018. WHILE GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR LARGE CITIES CONTINUES TO INCREASE, PSN-CT HAS PROVIDE CITIES WITH RESOURCES FOR BOTH EQUIPMENT AND PREVENTION SERVICES GUIDED BY PSN TASKFORCE PRIORITIES AND LOCAL NEEDS. THE JUSTICE EDUCATION CENTER, INC., WILL CONTINUE TO ACT AS THE FIDUCIARY AGENT AND WILL COORDINATE THE SUB-GRANT SOLICITATION PROCESS FOR A NEW ROUND OF RESOURCES AIMED AT PROVIDING LOCAL DEPARTMENTS WITH THE EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO DO TARGETED ENFORCEMENT, USE TECHNOLOGY EFFECTIVELY TO IDENTIFY AND APPREHEND SUSPECTS, AND TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY GANG TASK FORCE(S) TO CREATE A CREDIBLE ENFORCEMENT THREAT TO GROUP AND GANG MEMBERS.VIOLENCE IN CONNECTICUTS MAJOR CITIES, INCLUDING HARTFORD, NEW HAVEN, BRIDGEPORT, WATERBURY AND NEW LONDON IS DRIVEN PRIMARILY BY LOCAL, NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS WHO ENGAGE IN GANG ACTIVITY, DRUG TRAFFICKING, ROBBERIES OF RIVALS, AND RELATED GUN VIOLENCE TO FACILITATE THAT ACTIVITY. THESE GROUPS OFTEN LACK THE FORMAL STRUCTURE OF TRADITIONAL, NATIONAL GANGS AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE BASED ON ASSOCIATIONS FORGED OVER RESIDING IN PARTICULAR SECTIONS OF THESE CITIES AND EVEN PARTICULAR MAJOR STREETS IN THESE SECTIONS. MUCH OF THE VIOLENCE IS OFTEN DRIVEN BY DISPUTES WITH RIVAL GROUPS IN OTHER SECTIONS OF THESE CITIES OVER ENCROACHMENT OF TERRITORY FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING AND WHAT EACH GROUP CONSIDERS ITS TURF. IN ADDRESSING THE VIOLENCE PERPETRATED BY THESE CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS IN CONNECTICUTS CITIES, THE USAO, AND ITS FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERS EMPLOY PRINCIPALLY TWO-PRONGED STRATEGY FOCUSED ON ENFORCEMENT AND OUTREACH/PREVENTION.WE EXPECT THAT AT LEAST 30 PERCENT OF GRANT FUNDS WILL FACILITATE THESE STRATEGIES. CT PSNS RESEARCH PARTNER, THE CHARTER OAK GROUP, LLC (COG), FACILITATES A REVIEW OF RECENT VIOLENT CRIME DATA AND SUPPORTS THE COLLECTION OF PERFORMANCE DATA ON SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS, INCLUDING OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF POLICE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT PURCHASED WITH PSN FUNDS, PSN FUNDED COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND PSN PROGRAMMING INTENDED TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM, ENCOURAGE DESISTANCE FROM GUN VIOLENCE, AND PREVENTPROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE PATH FOR THOSE AT-RISK OF GROUP/GANG INVOLVEMENT OR OTHERWISE AT RISK OF COMMITTING GUN VIOLENCE.SUCH PROCESS AND OUTCOME PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT WILL ALSO BE REVIEWED BY THE PSN TEAM ON A QUARTERLY OR MORE FREQUENT BASIS AND WILL FORM THE BASIS OF THE PERFORMANCE REPORTS REQUIRED UNDER THIS GRANT.

PSN-CT22 CONTINUES THE APPROACH TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN IN CT SINCE 2018.   WHILE GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR LARGE CITIES CONTINUES TO INCREASE, PSN-CT HAS PROVIDE CITIES WITH RESOURCES FOR BOTH EQUIPMENT AND PREVENTION SERVICES, GUIDED BY PSN TASKFORCE PRIORITIES AND LOCAL NEEDS.  THE JUSTICE EDUCATION CENTER, INC., WILL CONTINUE TO ACT AS THE FIDUCIARY AGENT, AND WILL COORDINATE THE SUB-GRANT SOLICITATION PROCESS FOR A NEW ROUND OF RESOURCES AIMED AT PROVIDING LOCAL DEPARTMENTS WITH THE EQUIPMENT, TRAINING AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO DO TARGETED ENFORCEMENT, USE TECHNOLOGY EFFECTIVELY TO IDENTIFY AND APPREHEND SUSPECTS, AND TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY GANG TASK FORCE(S) TO CREATE A CREDIBLE ENFORCEMENT THREAT TO GROUP AND GANG MEMBERS. VIOLENCE IN CONNECTICUT’S MAJOR CITIES, INCLUDING HARTFORD, NEW HAVEN, BRIDGEPORT, WATERBURY AND NEW LONDON IS DRIVEN PRIMARILY BY LOCAL, NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS WHO ENGAGE IN GANG ACTIVITY, DRUG TRAFFICKING, ROBBERIES OF RIVALS AND RELATED GUN VIOLENCE TO FACILITATE THAT ACTIVITY.  THESE GROUPS OFTEN LACK THE FORMAL STRUCTURE OF TRADITIONAL, NATIONAL GANGS AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE BASED ON ASSOCIATIONS FORGED OVER RESIDING IN PARTICULAR SECTIONS OF THESE CITIES AND EVEN PARTICULAR MAJOR STREETS IN THESE SECTIONS.  MUCH OF THE VIOLENCE IS OFTEN DRIVEN BY DISPUTES WITH RIVAL GROUPS IN OTHER SECTIONS OF THESE CITIES OVER ENCROACHMENT OF TERRITORY FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING AND WHAT EACH GROUP CONSIDERS IT’S “TURF.”   IN ADDRESSING THE VIOLENCE PERPETRATED BY THESE CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS IN CONNECTICUT’S CITIES, THE USAO, AND ITS FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERS EMPLOY PRINCIPALLY TWO-PRONGED STRATEGY FOCUSED ON ENFORCEMENT AND OUTREACH/PREVENTION.   WE EXPECT THAT AT LEAST 30 PERCENT OF GRANT FUNDS WILL FACILITATE THESE STRATEGIES.   CT PSN’S RESEARCH PARTNER, THE CHARTER OAK GROUP, LLC (COG), FACILITATES A REVIEW OF RECENT VIOLENT CRIME DATA AND SUPPORTS THE COLLECTION OF PERFORMANCE DATA ON SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS, INCLUDING OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF POLICE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT PURCHASED WITH PSN FUNDS, PSN FUNDED COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND PSN PROGRAMMING INTENDED TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM, ENCOURAGE DESISTANCE FROM GUN VIOLENCE, AND PREVENT PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE PATH FOR THOSE AT-RISK OF GANG INVOLVEMENT.  SUCH PROCESS AND OUTCOME PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT WILL ALSO BE REVIEWED BY THE PSN TEAM ON A QUARTERLY OR MORE FREQUENT BASIS AND WILL FORM THE BASIS OF THE PERFORMANCE REPORTS REQUIRED UNDER THIS GRANT.

PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS CONNECTICUT (PSN-CT) CONTINUES THE APPROACH TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN IN CT SINCE 2018.WHILE GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR LARGE CITIES CONTINUES TO INCREASE, PSN-CT HAS PROVIDED CITIES WITH RESOURCES FOR BOTH EQUIPMENT AND PREVENTION SERVICES, GUIDED BY PSN TASKFORCE PRIORITIES AND LOCAL NEEDS. THE JUSTICE EDUCATION CENTER, INC., WILL CONTINUE TO ACT AS THE FIDUCIARY AGENT, AND WILL COORDINATE THE SUB-GRANT SOLICITATION PROCESS FOR A NEW ROUND OF RESOURCES AIMED AT PROVIDING LOCAL DEPARTMENTS WITH THE EQUIPMENT, TRAINING AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO DO TARGETED ENFORCEMENT, USE TECHNOLOGY EFFECTIVELY TO IDENTIFY AND APPREHEND SUSPECTS, AND TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY GANG TASK FORCE(S) TO CREATE A CREDIBLE ENFORCEMENT THREAT TO GROUP AND GANG MEMBERS.VIOLENCE IN CONNECTICUT'S MAJOR CITIES, INCLUDING HARTFORD, NEW HAVEN, BRIDGEPORT, WATERBURY AND NEW LONDON IS DRIVEN PRIMARILY BY LOCAL, NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS WHO ENGAGE IN GANG ACTIVITY, DRUG TRAFFICKING, ROBBERIES OF RIVALS AND RELATED GUN VIOLENCE TO FACILITATE THAT ACTIVITY.THESE GROUPS OFTEN LACK THE FORMAL STRUCTURE OF TRADITIONAL, NATIONAL GANGS AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE BASED ON ASSOCIATIONS FORGED OVER RESIDING IN PARTICULAR SECTIONS OF THESE CITIES AND EVEN PARTICULAR MAJOR STREETS IN THESE SECTIONS.MUCH OF THE VIOLENCE IS OFTEN DRIVEN BY DISPUTES WITH RIVAL GROUPS IN OTHER SECTIONS OF THESE CITIES OVER ENCROACHMENT OF TERRITORY FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING AND WHAT EACH GROUP CONSIDERS ITS TURF. IN ADDRESSING THE VIOLENCE PERPETRATED BY THESE CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS IN CONNECTICUT'S CITIES, THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE, AND ITS FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERS WILL CONTINUE TO EMPLOY A TWO-PRONGED STRATEGY FOCUSED ON ENFORCEMENT AND OUTREACH/PREVENTION. CT-PSN'S RESEARCH PARTNER, THE CHARTER OAK GROUP, LLC (COG), WILL FACILITATE A REVIEW OF RECENT VIOLENT CRIME DATA AND SUPPORT THE COLLECTION OF PERFORMANCE DATA ON SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS, INCLUDING OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF POLICE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT PURCHASED WITH PSN FUNDS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND PROGRAMMING INTENDED TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM, ENCOURAGE DESISTANCE FROM GUN VIOLENCE, AND PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE PATH FOR THOSE AT-RISK OF GROUP/GANG INVOLVEMENT OR OTHERWISE AT RISK OF COMMITTING GUN VIOLENCE

THE CT PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS 2021 PROJECT IS INTENDED TO BEGIN ON OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND CONTINUE THROUGHSEPTEMBER 30, 2024. THE CT PROJECT HAS THE FOLLOWING GOALS: 1) MAINTAIN GANG TASK FORCES IN EACH OF THE PSN SITES. CONTINUE TO ASSIGN ASSISTANT UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS TO PARTICIPATE LOCALLY IN REGULAR INTELLIGENCE MEETINGS, TO OFFER ADVICE ON ADOPTION OF MATTERS FOR FEDERAL PROSECUTION, INITIATE MATTERS SUCH AS WIRETAPS, ADVISE ON INVESTIGATIVE STRATEGIES AND WORKING WITH COOPERATING WITNESSES AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANTS (INCLUDING GANG MEMBERS AND AFFILIATES) AND TO COORDINATE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY; 2) COORDINATE CURRENT CROSS-AGENCY EFFORTS WITH PSN, INCLUDING ORGANIZED CRIME DRUG ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE, THE SAFE STREETS TASK FORCE, AND PROJECT LONGEVITY AS DESCRIBED BELOW; 3) PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE ACTIVE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND OUTREACH THROUGH COLLABORATION AND FREQUENT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.; 4) ENHANCE AND/OR FURTHER DEVELOP EMOTIONAL WELLNESS, EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AS A PREVENTION TO GANG AND GUN VIOLENCE.   THE GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS OF THE GRANT-FUNDED ACTIVITIES WILL CONTINUE TO BE HARTFORD, BRIDGEPORT, AND NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, WITH AN EXPANSION TO 3-4 SMALLER CITIES THAT ARE EXPERIENCING TROUBLING LEVELS OF GUN AND GANG VIOLENCE. THE CHARTER OAK GROUP, LLC WILL BE THE RESEARCH PARTNER FOR THIS PROJECT. KEY PARTNERS IN THIS PROJECT INCLUDE: THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE- CONNECTICUT; THE JUSTICE EDUCATION CENTER, INC. THE CT OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT ANDCT PROJECT LONGEVITY; THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL ASSEMBLY; THE CT JUDICIAL BRANCH, COURT- SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION;THE CT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; AND LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE PSN TASKFORCE SITES.

PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS (PSN) IS DESIGNED TO CREATE AND FOSTER SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH A SUSTAINED REDUCTION IN VIOLENT CRIME, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ADDRESSING CRIMINAL GANGS AND THE FELONIOUS POSSESSION AND USE OF FIREARMS AND PROJECTS THAT SUPPORT INNOVATIVE COOPERATIVE EFFORTS AND PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ENGAGED IN A UNIFIED APPROACH LED BY THE U.S. ATTORNEY IN ALL 94 DISTRICTS TO IDENTIFY AND PREVENT VIOLENT CRIME. THE PROGRAM'S EFFECTIVENESS DEPENDS ON THE COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS OF LOCAL, STATE, TRIBAL, AND FEDERAL AGENCIES AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE ENGAGED IN A UNIFIED APPROACH LED BY THE U.S. ATTORNEY (USA) IN ALL 94 DISTRICTS. PSN PROVIDES THE CRITICAL FUNDING, RESOURCES, AND TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROSECUTORS, AND THEIR PSN TEAMS TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIME AND MAKE THEIR COMMUNITIES SAFER THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY THAT MARRIES TARGETED ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS WITH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, PREVENTION, AND REENTRY EFFORTS. NOTE: THIS PROJECT CONTAINS A RESEARCH AND/OR DEVELOPMENT COMPONENT, AS DEFINED IN APPLICABLE LAW, AND COMPLIES WITH PART 200 UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS - 2 CFR 200.210(A)(14). IN 2020, 30% OF EACH PSN AWARD MUST BE USED TO SUPPORT ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY GANG TASK FORCES TO REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME, FIREARMS OFFENSES, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND DRUG TRAFFICKING. NCA/NCF

A REDUCTION OF GUN AND GANG VIOLENCE IN CONNECTICUT

PSN YOUTH OPPORTUNITY INITIATVE