Violence Prevention Center

RECAST ROBESON COUNTY, NC: PROMOTING RESILIENCE AND ADDRESSING COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, COLLECTIVE TRAUMA, AND CIVIL UNREST IN AN IMPOVERISHED, RURAL, UNDERSERVED, ETHNICALLY-DIVERSE COMMUNITY - THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT, RECAST ROBESON, IS TO PROMOTE RESILIENCE, TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACHES, AND EQUITY IN AN IMPOVERISHED, RURAL, UNDERSERVED, AND ETHNICALLY DIVERSE COMMUNITY THAT HAS RECENTLY FACED CIVIL UNREST, COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, AND COLLECTIVE TRAUMA WITHIN THE PAST 24 MONTHS. WE WILL ASSIST HIGH-RISK YOUTH AND FAMILIES THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EVIDENCE-BASED VIOLENCE PREVENTION, AND COMMUNITY YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS. RECAST ROBESON WILL BE GUIDED BY A COMMUNITY-BASED COALITION OF RESIDENTS, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER ENTITIES. IN RECENT YEARS, ROBESON COUNTY HAS BEEN CHALLENGED BY HIGH RATES OF COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, POVERTY, AND COLLECTIVE TRAUMA CAUSED BY REPEATED FLOODING FROM HURRICANES MATTHEW (2016), FLORENCE (2018), DORIAN (2019), ISAIAS (2020), AND TROPICAL STORM FRED (2021). COVID-19 HIT ROBESON COUNTY PARTICULARLY HARD IN 2020-21, OVERWHELMING THE LOCAL HOSPITAL AND KEEPING VULNERABLE CHILDREN OUT OF SCHOOL FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. IN 2020, ROBESON COUNTY LED NC IN VIOLENT CRIME AND HAD THE THIRD HIGHEST OVERALL CRIME RATE IN THE STATE (4,779 PER 100,000, A 25% INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR; FBI, 2020A; NC SBI, 2020). THE CHILD POVERTY RATE IS 39%, THE THIRD HIGHEST RATE OF ALL 100 COUNTIES IN NC AND THE MEDIAN INCOME IS $33,679, WHICH IS JUST OVER HALF THE NATIONAL MEDIAN INCOME OF $62,843 (U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, N.D.). ROBESON IS THE MOST DIVERSE COUNTY IN NC (DIVERSITY INDEX [DI]=73.5% OUT OF 100) AND ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE IN THE U.S.; ONLY 14 U.S. COUNTIES HAD HIGHER DI SCORES IN 2020. COUNTY DEMOGRAPHICS ARE: WHITE (31%), 42% AMERICAN INDIAN (AI), 24% IS BLACK, AND 9% IS LATINX. POVERTY RATES BY RACE ARE: AI 28%; BLACK 33%, LATINX 42%; OTHER 43%; AND WHITE 17%, SHOWING SIGNIFICANT INEQUALITIES. DESPITE THESE CHALLENGES, ROBESON COUNTY IS A RESILIENT COMMUNITY WITH A DEEP CULTURAL HERITAGE AND STRONG NETWORK OF RELATIONSHIPS. THIS INITIATIVE WOULD PROMOTE RESILIENCE, TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACHES, AND EQUITY IN ROBESON COUNTY BY: - ENHANCING AND EXPANDING THE COMMUNITY COALITION CALLED ROBESON OVERCOMING ADVERSITY THROUGH RESILIENCE (ROAR) THAT IS CURRENTLY FACILITATED BY ROBESON PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN; - TRAINING A DIVERSE ARRAY OF COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS IN COMMUNITY RESILIENCY AND MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY - 200/ YEAR = 800 TOTAL; - ESTABLISHING TWO CREATIVE COPING CENTERS, ONE IN LUMBERTON AND ONE IN PEMBROKE, THAT WOULD SPONSOR POSITIVE YOUTH ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES THROUGH EXPRESSIVE ARTS (ART, DRAMA) AND YOUTH ENRICHMENT (MENTORING, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, CAREER COACHING, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE TEEN COURT) 250/YEAR = 1,000 TOTAL; - SPONSORING TRAINING FELLOWSHIPS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS TO LEARN ADVANCED TECHNIQUES IN TRAUMA-INFORMED PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES AND TELEHEALTH - 20/YEAR = 40 TOTAL; - EXPANDING ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPY THROUGH THE NC-YVPC VICTIM EMPOWERMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAM (VEEP) FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA - 150 YOUTH AND FAMILIES RECEIVING TRAUMA-FOCUSED THERAPY PER YEAR = 600 TOTAL. THE NORTH CAROLINA YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION CENTER (NC-YVPC: WWW.NC-YVPC.ORG) WILL FACILITATE RECAST ROBESON WITH MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ROBESON PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN, THE LUMBEE TRIBE, UNC-PEMBROKE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND A DIVERSE ARRAY OF RESIDENTS. NC-YVPC HAS WORKED IN ROBESON COUNTY FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS WITH MAJOR GRANTS FROM CDC, NIJ, BJA, STATE AGENCIES, AND FOUNDATIONS. NC-YVPC WILL COLLECT ALL MANDATORY INFRASTRUCTURE, PREVENTION, AND PROMOTION (IPP) PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND ENTER THEM INTO SPARS. EACH LEVEL OF THE RECAST ROBESON MULTI-TIERED INITIATIVE WILL HAVE ITS OWN QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES, SUCH AS SATISFACTION SURVEYS, AND PRETEST-POSTTEST MEASURES TO ASSESS CHANGE FOR CLIENTS IN TRAUMA-FOCUSED THERAPY. THE PROJECT WILL ULTIMATELY INCREASE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE, ENHANCE EQUITY AND ACCESS TO TRAUMA-FOCUSED SERVICES, AND REDUCE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, COLLECTIVE TRAUMA, AND CIVIL UNREST.

THIS PROPOSAL FOCUSES ON UNDERSERVED, RURAL COMMUNITIES EXPERIENCING HIGH VIOLENCE AND THE INDIVIDUALS IN THOSE RURAL AREAS MOST AT RISK FOR PERPETRATING OR BEING VICTIMIZED BY VIOLENCE. ROBESON COUNTY NC (POPULATION 126,848) IS A LOW INCOME, RURAL COUNTY SPANNING 949 SQUARE MILES IN SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA; IT IS A TIER 1 COUNTY (HIGHEST POVERTY). ADDRESSING OJP PRIORITY 1A, ROBESON IS THE MOST DIVERSE COUNTY IN NC (DIVERSITY INDEX = 73.5% OUT OF 100) AND ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE IN THE U.S. FORTY-TWO PERCENT OF RESIDENTS ARE LUMBEE INDIANS WHO HAVE A POVERTY RATE OF 61%. FOR OJP PRIORITY 2, ROBESON COUNTY HOTSPOTS HAVE HOMICIDE AND VIOLENT/PROPERTY CRIME RATES THAT ARE 2 TO 10 TIMES HIGHER THAN OTHER AREAS IN NC AND THE U.S.  CURRENTLY, THE NORTH CAROLINA YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION CENTER IS IMPLEMENTING A COMMUNITY BASED VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION INITIATIVE (CVIPI) IN LUMBERTON, A SMALL TOWN (POPULATION 19,025) WITHIN ROBESON COUNTY. ADDRESSING OJP PRIORITY 3, THIS CVIPI INITIATIVE IS FUNDED BY A BJA BYRNE CRIMINAL JUSTICE INNOVATION COMMUNITY-BASED CRIME REDUCTION GRANT (CBCR; 2019-BJ-BX-0018 FROM 10/1/2019 TO 9/30/23) AND HAS ESTABLISHED PARTNERSHIPS. WE PROPOSE TO EXPAND AND ENHANCE THIS INITIATIVE BY BRINGING CVIPI SERVICES TO THE REST OF ROBESON COUNTY. WE WILL FOCUS ON RURAL HOTSPOTS THAT ARE UNDERSERVED, HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED, AND STRUGGLING WITH HIGH CRIME AND VIOLENCE. THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN CREATED BY THE CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIP PLANNING TEAM INCLUDES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, DIRECTED POLICING, GANG PREVENTION, STREET OUTREACH, MEDIATION AND JUVENILE DIVERSION INITIATIVES FOR MANAGING PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY ESCALATE, AND THERAPEUTIC VICTIM SERVICES FOR REMEDIATION OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS. THIS PROGRAMMING ADDRESSES SALIENT CRIME DRIVERS (I.E., FAMILY-BASED OFFENSES, PROPERTY CRIMES DUE TO SOCIOECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE, AND LACK OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION SKILLS) AND WILL ULTIMATELY REDUCE VIOLENT OFFENSES, VICTIMIZATION, AND PROPERTY CRIMES. EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS, SUCH AS CURE VIOLENCE STREET OUTREACH, TRAUMA-FOCUSED COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR CRIME VICTIMS, AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE TRAINING ARE INCLUDED IN THE CVIPI PACKAGE.

EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT FOR CHILD AND ADOLESCENT TRAUMA IN SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA - THE NC YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION CENTER (NC-YVPC; WWW.NC-YVPC.ORG) AND ADVANTAGE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE INC (WWW.ADVANTAGEBEH.COM) PROPOSE TO BECOME A FY-23 NCTSI CATEGORY III COMMUNITY TREATMENT AND SERVICE CENTER (CTSC) THAT PROVIDES: 1) OUTREACH, ENGAGEMENT, AND PREVENTION PROGRAMMING; 2) EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT; AND 3) CONSULTATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES AND PROGRAMS TO CHILD-SERVING AGENCIES. BOTH AGENCIES HAVE PROVIDED THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED VICTIMS OF CHILD TRAUMA IN SOUTHEASTERN NC INCLUDING ROBESON, SCOTLAND, COLUMBUS, BLADEN, AND RICHMOND COUNTIES FOR MORE THAN 12 YEARS. OUR TARGET POPULATION IS COMPRISED OF YOUTH WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMATIC STRESS, ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND VICTIMIZATION (I.E., ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES - ACES). OUR INITIATIVE WILL SERVE DISADVANTAGED, MINORITY (LUMBEE, AFRICAN AMERICAN, LATINX, IMMIGRANT, LGBTQ+) YOUTH WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ACES IN FIVE RURAL COUNTIES AND HAVE FEW SERVICES OR SUPPORTS. ACCORDING TO 2018 FBI UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS, THESE COUNTIES HAD THE 5TH, 3RD, AND 1ST HIGHEST INDEX CRIME RATES PER 100,000 IN NC. ALL OF THESE COUNTIES ARE RURAL QOZS WITH HIGH LEVELS OF POVERTY, DELINQUENCY, VIOLENCE, AND CRIME. THIS CONTEXT WILL MAKE THE PROPOSED NCTSI-CTSC UNIQUE IN SERVING RURAL, MINORITY FAMILIES WITH EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH ACES. FOR EXAMPLE, ROBESON COUNTY (RC), NC IS 42% NATIVE AMERICAN (NA; LUMBEE TRIBE) AND HAS A HOMICIDE RATE THAT IS 3X THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND A LUMBEE POVERTY RATE OF 64%. IN NEEDS ASSESSMENTS, 52% OF RC YOUTH DISPLAYED SERIOUS BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS IN SCHOOL AND 49% WERE REJECTED BY PEERS. IN ADDITION, 34% OF RC FAMILIES REPORTED DOMESTIC DISCORD, 23% OF RC YOUTH REPORT VICTIMIZATION, AND 37% OF RC FAMILIES HAVE A HISTORY OF CRIMINALITY (JCPC, 2020). RICHMOND, COLUMBUS, BLADEN, AND SCOTLAND COUNTIES ARE RURAL AND DISADVANTAGED WITH HIGH CRIME RATES AND LARGE PERCENTAGES OF UNDERSERVED AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUTH. EVIDENCED-BASED TREATMENTS ARE SCARCE IN THESE IMPOVERISHED, RURAL COUNTIES, LEAVING VICTIMS ISOLATED AND SUFFERING. THE NCTSI CTSC WILL PROVIDE A MIX OF OUTREACH ACTIVITIES, MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILD SERVING AGENCIES. WE WILL IMPLEMENT EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES (EXPRESSIVE ARTS, YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID, COMMUNITY RESILIENCE MODEL, TF-CBT, CBITS) AND TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE INNOVATIONS. GOAL 1) LAUNCH OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES – MEASURABLE OBJECTIVE 1: EACH YEAR OF THE GRANT, AT LEAST 240 YOUTH EXPERIENCING TRAUMATIC STRESS AND/OR THEIR CAREGIVERS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THERAPEUTIC OUTREACH ACTIVITIES (EXPRESSIVE ARTS, YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID, COMMUNITY RESILIENCE MODEL: 1,200 TOTAL). GOAL 2) INCREASE EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT - MEASURABLE OBJECTIVE 2: EACH YEAR OF THE GRANT, AT LEAST 200 YOUTH EXPERIENCING TRAUMATIC STRESS WILL PARTICIPATE IN EVIDENCED-BASED THERAPY (TF-CBT, CBITS; 1,000 TOTAL). NC-YVPC AND ADVANTAGE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE HAVE 8 CERTIFIED TF-CBT CLINICIANS AND WILL EXPAND THIS NUMBER AS THEY TRAIN MORE THERAPISTS IN THIS APPROACH. GOAL 3) PROVIDE CONSULTATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES TO CHILD-SERVING AGENCIES - MEASURABLE OBJECTIVE 3: EACH YEAR, AT LEAST 4 QUARTERLY MEETINGS FOR CONSULTATION ON TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES WILL BE HELD (20 TOTAL EVENTS, 300 PARTICIPANTS), NC-YVPC AND ADVANTAGE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE WORK CLOSELY WITH CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS, SOCIAL SERVICES, COMMUNITY COALITIONS, SCHOOLS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE TARGET AREAS. PERFORMANCE MEASURES WILL BE COLLECTED FOR EACH GOAL. WE WILL COLLECT PARTICIPANT SURVEYS AFTER EACH ENGAGEMENT EVENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CONSULTATION SESSION TO MEASURE PARTICIPANT LEARNING AND SATISFACTION. MENTAL HEALTH THERAPISTS WILL ASSESS THEIR CLIENTS AT INTAKE, 3 MONTHS, AND DISCHARGE USING THE NOMS INSTRUMENT, IPP, AND OTHER CLINICAL MEASURES. WE WILL TRACK PROGRAM FIDELITY AND CONDUCT AN OVERALL PROGRAM EVALUATION.

PURPOSE: THE CONTINUUM OF CARE (COC) PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY-WIDE COMMITMENT TO THE GOAL OF ENDING HOMELESSNESS; PROVIDE FUNDING FOR EFFORTS BY NONPROFIT PROVIDERS, STATES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO QUICKLY HOUSE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHILE MINIMIZING THE TRAUMA AND DISLOCATION CAUSED TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES BY HOMELESSNESS; PROMOTE ACCESS TO AND EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF MAINSTREAM PROGRAMS BY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES; AND OPTIMIZE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AMONG INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE MOST RECENT COC AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT LISTING AWARDS BY STATE AND COC IS ACCESSIBLE AT HTTPS://WWW.HUD.GOV/PROGRAM_OFFICES/COMM_PLANNING/COC/AWARDS. SELECT THE LINK UNDER THE FUNDING AND AWARD INFORMATION SECTION FOR THE APPROPRIATE FISCAL YEAR.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM FUNDS MAY BE USED TO PAY FOR THE ELIGIBLE COSTS USED TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE PROJECTS UNDER FIVE PROGRAM COMPONENTS: (1) PERMANENT HOUSING, WHICH INCLUDES PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AND RAPID REHOUSING; (2) TRANSITIONAL HOUSING; (3) SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ONLY; (4) HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (HMIS), AND (5) IN SOME CASES, HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION. THIRTEEN TYPES OF ASSISTANCE MAY BE PROVIDED THROUGH THE CONTINUUM OF CARE (COC) PROGRAM: (1) COC PLANNING ACTIVITIES/COSTS FOR DESIGNING AND CARRYING OUT A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN APPLICATION TO HUD; (2) UNITED FUNDING AGENCY (UFA) COSTS FOR FISCAL CONTROL AND ACCOUNTING NECESSARY TO ASSURE THE PROPER DISBURSAL OF, AND ACCOUNTING FOR, FEDERAL FUNDS AWARDED TO SUBRECIPIENTS UNDER THE CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM, (3) ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY (INCLUDING STRUCTURES) FOR USE IN THE PROVISION OF HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; (4) REHABILITATION OF STRUCTURES TO PROVIDE HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; (5) NEW CONSTRUCTION, INCLUDING THE BUILDING OF A NEW STRUCTURE OR BUILDING AN ADDITION TO AN EXISTING STRUCTURE FOR USE AS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING; (6) LEASING OF A STRUCTURE OR STRUCTURES, OR PORTIONS THEREOF, TO PROVIDE HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; (7) RENTAL ASSISTANCE, WHICH MAY BE SHORT-TERM, MEDIUM-TERM, OR LONG-TERM, AS WELL AS TENANT-BASED, PROJECT-BASED, OR SPONSOR-BASED, FOR TRANSITIONAL OR PERMANENT HOUSING; (8) SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO ASSIST PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN HOUSING; (9) OPERATING COSTS OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING; (10) COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING HMIS; (11) PROJECT ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS; (12) RELOCATION COSTS; AND (13) INDIRECT COSTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2 CFR PARTS 200, AS APPLICABLE. IN ADDITION TO USING GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ELIGIBLE COSTS DESCRIBED ABOVE, RECIPIENTS AND SUBRECIPIENTS IN CONTINUUMS OF CARE DESIGNATED AS HIGH PERFORMING COMMUNITIES MAY ALSO USE GRANT FUNDS TO PROVIDE HOUSING RELOCATION AND STABILIZATION SERVICES AND SHORT- AND/OR MEDIUM-TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS AS SET FORTH IN 24 CFR 576.103 AND 24 CFR 576.104, IF NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY FROM BECOMING HOMELESS. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS: NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED UNDER PROGRAM (OR ANY STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS USED TO SUPPLEMENT THIS ASSISTANCE) MAY BE USED TO REPLACE STATE OR LOCAL FUNDS PREVIOUSLY USED, OR DESIGNATED FOR USE, TO ASSIST HOMELESS PERSONS OR PERSONS AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: DECREASE IN THE NUMBER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, MORE SPECIFICALLY USING PERFORMANCE INDICATORS SUCH AS THE LENGTH OF TIME HOMELESS, RETURNS TO HOMELESSNESS OVER TIME, AND EXITS TO PERMANENT HOUSING. COC PERFORMANCE PROFILE REPORTS CAN BE FOUND AT HTTPS://WWW.HUDEXCHANGE.INFO/PROGRAMS/COC/COC-PERFORMANCE-PROFILE-REPORTS/.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.

FY 19 CBCR PROGRAM

SCHOOL SAFETY TRAININGS ARE NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE, INCLUDING HIGH FREQUENCY PROBLEMS SUCH AS BULLYING, ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACES), AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISES, THAT THREATEN STUDENTS’ SAFETY. IN 2019, 43% OF NORTH CAROLINA (NC) MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH REPORTED BULLYING VICTIMIZATION, 22% WERE CYBER BULLIED, 47% WERE IN FIGHTS, 31% CARRIED WEAPONS, AND 23% CONTEMPLATED SUICIDE (HTTPS://NCCD.CDC.GOV/YOUTHONLINE). RATES HAVE RISEN OR REMAIN UNCHANGED OVER THE PAST DECADE IN NC. THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS IN NC REPORTING SAFETY CONCERNS AT SCHOOL HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED FROM 5.6% IN 2009 TO 13.6% IN 2019.    THE GOAL OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS TO PROVIDE STATEWIDE, TRAUMA-FOCUSED, EVIDENCED-BASED TRAINING AND CONSULTATION THAT ADDRESSES YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, BULLYING, AND VICTIMIZATION. EACH YEAR OF THE GRANT, WE WILL PROVIDE TRAINING AND CONSULTATION TO SCHOOLS ACROSS NC USING THE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (YMHFA) PROGRAM TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF, AND EARLY INTERVENTION IN, STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.  OUR MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM WILL ENHANCE YMHFA BY INTEGRATING INFORMATION ON BULLYING, TRAUMA, AND ACES IN A SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING TO DEEPEN THE FOCUS ON ROOT CAUSES OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE. WE WILL ALSO ADD A SECOND DAY OF SKILLS TRAINING SIMULATIONS THAT ALLOW PARTICIPANTS TO PRACTICE KEY SKILLS. INSTRUCTORS WILL FACILITATE THE TRAINING ONLINE TO BREAK DOWN GEOGRAPHIC AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS. SPONSORING ONLINE TRAINING WILL INCREASE OUR REACH INTO RURAL AREAS AND QOZS ACROSS NC WITH MINIMAL ADDITIONAL FUNDING NEEDED. DELIVERABLES INCLUDE: 1) YMHFA TRAINING MATERIALS WITH SUPPLEMENTARY TRAINING MATERIALS ON BULLYING, ACES, AND TRAUMA; 2) SKILLS PRACTICE ROLE PLAY MATERIALS; 3) # OF PARTICIPANTS SERVED; 4) SATISFACTION DATA; AND 5) FINANCIAL AND PROGRESS REPORTS.    THE NORTH CAROLINA YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION CENTER (NC-YVPC; WWW.NC-YVPC.ORG) IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT AGENCY THAT COORDINATES PREVENTION PROGRAMMING IN RURAL, UNDERSERVED AREAS OF NC. THE TEAM HAS MORE THAN A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE IMPLEMENTING PREVENTION PROGRAMS WITH FEDERAL RESEARCH FUNDING. THE PROPOSED TRAINING WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT SCHOOL SAFETY ACROSS NC BY PROVIDING INNOVATIVE TRAINING EXPERIENCES ON YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS GAINED WILL GUIDE NEW BEHAVIORS AND LOWER THE RISK FOR FUTURE VIOLENCE. REDUCING ROOT CAUSES OF YOUTH VIOLENCE, SUCH AS BULLYING, VICTIMIZATION, AND TRAUMA, WILL DECREASE THE ESCALATION TO SUBSEQUENT FORMS OF VIOLENCE LATER IN THE LIFESPAN. THE PROJECT WILL PROMOTE SCHOOL SAFETY IN NC AND ENHANCE THE YMHFA CURRICULUM WITH NEW CONTENT AND SKILLS TRAINING MATERIAL TO DISSEMINATE ACROSS THE US.

THE TARGET POPULATION FOR THIS PROJECT IS YOUTH WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMATIC STRESS, ABUSE, AND VICTIMIZATION (E.G., EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE) IN ROBESON, RICHMOND, AND SCOTLAND COUNTIES, NORTH CAROLINA (NC). THIS INITIATIVE SERVES DISADVANTAGED, MINORITY (LUMBEE INDIAN, AFRICAN AMERICAN, LATINX, IMMIGRANT), GENDER DIVERSE (LGBTQ+) YOUTH WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE IN RURAL COUNTIES AND HAVE FEW SERVICES OR SUPPORTS.  ACCORDING TO 2018 UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS, THESE COUNTIES HAD THE 5TH, 3RD, AND 1ST HIGHEST INDEX CRIME RATES PER 100,000 IN NC. ALL THREE COUNTIES ARE RURAL WITH HIGH LEVELS OF POVERTY, DELINQUENCY, AND CRIME. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE INITIATIVE ARE TO: 1) IMPROVE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO CHILDREN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE; 2) RESPOND TO VICTIMIZATION OF CHILDREN AS A RESULT OF VIOLENCE THAT OCCURS IN THE SCHOOL, COMMUNITY OR FAMILY; 3) INCREASE PROTECTIVE FACTORS TO PREVENT JUVENILE VIOLENCE, DELINQUENCY, AND VICTIMIZATION IN AREAS WITH HIGH EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE; AND 4) SUPPORT COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP, DESIGN, AND DELIVER STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE BY BUILDING CAPACITY AND INCREASING AWARENESS WITH OUTREACH STRATEGIES. TO REACH THESE OBJECTIVES, ROBESON COUNTY TEEN COURT YOUTH SERVICES (NC-YVPC) WILL: 1) CONVENE A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM TO ADDRESS SERVICE GAPS AND BARRIERS; AND 2) IMPLEMENT AND EVALUATE A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE AND THEIR FAMILIES. THEIR SERVICES WILL BUILD THE CAPACITY WITHIN THE THREE RURAL JURISDICTIONS TO HELP CHILDREN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE AND PREVENT/REDUCE JUVENILE VIOLENT CRIME. FOR EACH YEAR OF THE GRANT, MEASURABLE GOALS INCLUDE: 1) PROVIDING TRAINING AND CONSULTATION ON TRAUMA-INFORMED MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICES USING THE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID CURRICULUM FOR AT LEAST 150 SERVICE PROVIDERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS; 2) HAVING AT LEAST 240 YOUTH EXPERIENCING TRAUMATIC STRESS AND/OR THEIR CAREGIVERS PARTICIPATE IN THERAPEUTIC OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. OUTREACH ACTIVITIES USE EXPRESSIVE ARTS TO INCREASE PROTECTIVE FACTORS SUCH AS CREATIVE ENGAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SUPPORT; AND 3) HAVING AT LEAST 120 YOUTH EXPERIENCING TRAUMATIC STRESS AND/OR THEIR CAREGIVERS PARTICIPATE IN EVIDENCED-BASED, TRAUMA-FOCUSED THERAPIES.  THE PROPOSED TRAINING, OUTREACH, AND THERAPY ACTIVITIES (I.E., YMHFA, EXPRESSIVE ARTS, TRAUMA-FOCUSED COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY) ALL HAVE EXTENSIVE EVIDENCE BASES FROM PRIOR RESEARCH AND NC-YVPC HAS 10 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING IN THE TARGET COMMUNITIES.

IMPLEMENTING THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER MODEL AT INTERACT''S FAMILY SAFETY AND EMPOWERMENT CENTER

BEYOND BULLYING: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO ANTI-BULLYING TRAINING

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

PURPOSE: THE CONTINUUM OF CARE (COC) PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY-WIDE COMMITMENT TO THE GOAL OF ENDING HOMELESSNESS; PROVIDE FUNDING FOR EFFORTS BY NONPROFIT PROVIDERS, STATES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO QUICKLY HOUSE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHILE MINIMIZING THE TRAUMA AND DISLOCATION CAUSED TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES BY HOMELESSNESS; PROMOTE ACCESS TO AND EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF MAINSTREAM PROGRAMS BY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES; AND OPTIMIZE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AMONG INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE MOST RECENT COC AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT LISTING AWARDS BY STATE AND COC IS ACCESSIBLE AT HTTPS://WWW.HUD.GOV/PROGRAM_OFFICES/COMM_PLANNING/COC/AWARDS. SELECT THE LINK UNDER THE FUNDING AND AWARD INFORMATION SECTION FOR THE APPROPRIATE FISCAL YEAR.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM FUNDS MAY BE USED TO PAY FOR THE ELIGIBLE COSTS USED TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE PROJECTS UNDER FIVE PROGRAM COMPONENTS: (1) PERMANENT HOUSING, WHICH INCLUDES PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AND RAPID REHOUSING; (2) TRANSITIONAL HOUSING; (3) SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ONLY; (4) HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (HMIS), AND (5) IN SOME CASES, HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION. THIRTEEN TYPES OF ASSISTANCE MAY BE PROVIDED THROUGH THE CONTINUUM OF CARE (COC) PROGRAM: (1) COC PLANNING ACTIVITIES/COSTS FOR DESIGNING AND CARRYING OUT A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN APPLICATION TO HUD; (2) UNITED FUNDING AGENCY (UFA) COSTS FOR FISCAL CONTROL AND ACCOUNTING NECESSARY TO ASSURE THE PROPER DISBURSAL OF, AND ACCOUNTING FOR, FEDERAL FUNDS AWARDED TO SUBRECIPIENTS UNDER THE CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM, (3) ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY (INCLUDING STRUCTURES) FOR USE IN THE PROVISION OF HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; (4) REHABILITATION OF STRUCTURES TO PROVIDE HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; (5) NEW CONSTRUCTION, INCLUDING THE BUILDING OF A NEW STRUCTURE OR BUILDING AN ADDITION TO AN EXISTING STRUCTURE FOR USE AS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING; (6) LEASING OF A STRUCTURE OR STRUCTURES, OR PORTIONS THEREOF, TO PROVIDE HOUSING OR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; (7) RENTAL ASSISTANCE, WHICH MAY BE SHORT-TERM, MEDIUM-TERM, OR LONG-TERM, AS WELL AS TENANT-BASED, PROJECT-BASED, OR SPONSOR-BASED, FOR TRANSITIONAL OR PERMANENT HOUSING; (8) SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO ASSIST PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN HOUSING; (9) OPERATING COSTS OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING; (10) COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING HMIS; (11) PROJECT ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS; (12) RELOCATION COSTS; AND (13) INDIRECT COSTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2 CFR PARTS 200, AS APPLICABLE. IN ADDITION TO USING GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ELIGIBLE COSTS DESCRIBED ABOVE, RECIPIENTS AND SUBRECIPIENTS IN CONTINUUMS OF CARE DESIGNATED AS HIGH PERFORMING COMMUNITIES MAY ALSO USE GRANT FUNDS TO PROVIDE HOUSING RELOCATION AND STABILIZATION SERVICES AND SHORT- AND/OR MEDIUM-TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS AS SET FORTH IN 24 CFR 576.103 AND 24 CFR 576.104, IF NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY FROM BECOMING HOMELESS. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS: NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED UNDER PROGRAM (OR ANY STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS USED TO SUPPLEMENT THIS ASSISTANCE) MAY BE USED TO REPLACE STATE OR LOCAL FUNDS PREVIOUSLY USED, OR DESIGNATED FOR USE, TO ASSIST HOMELESS PERSONS OR PERSONS AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: DECREASE IN THE NUMBER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, MORE SPECIFICALLY USING PERFORMANCE INDICATORS SUCH AS THE LENGTH OF TIME HOMELESS, RETURNS TO HOMELESSNESS OVER TIME, AND EXITS TO PERMANENT HOUSING. COC PERFORMANCE PROFILE REPORTS CAN BE FOUND AT HTTPS://WWW.HUDEXCHANGE.INFO/PROGRAMS/COC/COC-PERFORMANCE-PROFILE-REPORTS/.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

STILES TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE

EDI SPECIAL PROJECTS

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH COLLABORATION ON THE PREVENTION OF ADOLESCENT