Justice Innovation Inc

THIS PROPOSAL IS SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO BJA’S INVITATION TO APPLY FOR FY23 ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS TO PREVIOUSLY FUNDED AWARDS UNDER THE ADULT DRUG COURT PLANNING, TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND RESOURCE CENTER INITIATIVE. THE CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION (CENTER) WILL CONTINUE PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE COST-EFFECTIVE TTA SERVICES FOR STATEWIDE DRUG COURT SYSTEMS; WORK WITH STATE-LEVEL DRUG COURT COORDINATORS AND OTHER STATE LEADERS TO IMPROVE DRUG COURT OPERATIONS AND COORDINATION; AND FACILITATE RESEARCH STUDY PROPOSALS THAT ADDRESS RESEARCH GAPS IN THE DRUG COURT LANDSCAPE. THE SERVICE AREA IS NATIONWIDE, AND THE PRIMARY BENEFICIARIES ARE STATEWIDE GRANTEES AS WELL AS THE FIELD AT LARGE.  THE CENTER WILL IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: PROVIDE COST-EFFECTIVE TTA TO STATEWIDE GRANTEES AND OFFER SUPPORT TO STATE DRUG COURT COORDINATORS AND OTHER STATE AGENCIES. THE CENTER WILL MEET THE INDIVIDUALIZED TTA NEEDS OF STATEWIDE GRANTEES AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS, EMPHASIZING TTA IN STATEWIDE STRATEGIC PLANNING, FIDELITY ASSESSMENT, STATEWIDE TRAINING, EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES, CAPACITY BUILDING, AND DATA COLLECTION/EVALUATION. OFFER VETERAN TREATMENT COURTS STRATEGIC PLANNING TO FOUR STATES. CENTER STAFF WILL CONDUCT NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AND STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOPS AND WILL ADMINISTER FUNDING IN PASSTHROUGH AWARDS TO THE STATES, TO BE USED FOR ACTIVITIES TO FURTHER THEIR STRATEGIC GOALS. CONVENE QUARTERLY STATEWIDE DRUG COURT MEETINGS. AS IT HAS DONE SINCE 2015, THE CENTER WILL HOST VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON QUARTERLY MEETINGS, AS WELL AS CONTINUE CONVENING THE COORDINATORS MONTHLY FOR SPECIAL TA SESSIONS. MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THE NATIONAL ONLINE LEARNING SYSTEM FOR DRUG COURTS. THE CENTER CREATED THE NATIONAL DRUG COURT ONLINE LEARNING SYSTEM IN 2012. UNDER THIS AWARD, THE CENTER WILL ADMINISTER FUNDING TO AN ADULT ELEARNING WEB DEVELOPER TO UPDATE THE WEBSITE. FACILITATE FOUR RESEARCH STUDIES TO PRODUCE PRACTITIONER-FRIENDLY PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES: EACH STUDY WILL PROVIDE BJA WITH INFORMATION ON WHAT DATA COURTS AND STATES SHOULD BE COLLECTING AND HOW TO SUPPORT THE COLLECTION OF THIS DATA, WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING AND ENHANCING FUTURE RESEARCH AND STATE EVALUATIONS AND ANALYSES OF DRUG COURT OPERATIONS. PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE TTA TO IMPROVE RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN DRUG COURTS. THE CENTER WILL DEVELOP A BIAS INDICATOR TOOL FOR TREATMENT COURT PRACTITIONERS AND EXPAND THE USE OF THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES PROGRAM ASSESSMENT TOOL (DEVELOPED BY AMERICAN UNIVERSITY).

PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED: THE SIXTH AMENDMENT ENCOMPASSES A SET OF RIGHTS THAT HELP ENSURE FAIR ADJUDICATION AND ACCURATE VERDICTS. STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND COURTS SPECIFICALLY, HAVE AN AFFIRMATIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO UPHOLD THESE RIGHTS, YET MANY FAIL TO MEET THIS OBLIGATION FULLY. EXAMINATION OF THE SIXTH AMENDMENT HIGHLIGHTS THREE AREAS IN WHICH COURTS PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN THE DEPRIVATION OF RIGHTS DUE TO OVERCROWDED COURT CALENDARS AND CASE DELAYS; THE COERCIVE ELEMENTS OF PLEA BARGAINING; AND THE CHALLENGES OF JURY TRIALS. PRIMARY GOALS AND ACTIVITIES. THE CENTER FOR COURT INNOVATION (THE CENTER), WITH FAIR TRIALS AND NPC RESEARCH, PROPOSES TO PROVIDE THREE LEVELS OF TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TTA) TO JUDICIARIES AND COURTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO IMPROVE SIXTH AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS: 1) INTENSIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND CUSTOMIZED TTA ACTIVITIES WILL FACILITATE AN OVERALL REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT OF ALL PROTECTIONS FOUND WITHIN THE SIXTH AMENDMENT IN EACH SITE. THE CENTER AND NPC RESEARCH WILL PROVIDE NEEDS-BASED TTA TO FOUR SITES FOR 18 MONTHS TO INFORM STRATEGIC PLANNING. 2) ON-DEMAND TTA AND ACTION RESEARCH ACTIVITIES WILL FACILITATE STRATEGIC PLANNING AROUND DISCRETE CHALLENGES (E.G., SPEEDY TRIAL, IMPARTIAL JURY, ETC.). THE CENTER AND FAIR TRIALS WILL PROVIDE NEEDS-BASED TTA TO FOUR SITES FOR 12 MONTHS. 3) LIMITED ASSISTANCE TTA ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE REMOTE CONSULTATIONS BY THE CENTER AND FAIR TRIALS TO FACILITATE BRIEF INFORMATIONAL AND REFERRAL RESPONSES. THE LEARNINGS FROM TTA SITES WILL BE USED TO IDENTIFY GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE AFFECTING SIXTH AMENDMENT PRACTICE AND INFORM THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECT DELIVERABLES. TO MAXIMIZE THE REACH AND IMPACT OF DELIVERABLES, THE CENTER WILL PARTNER WITH AGENCYQ TO CONTINUE AND EXPAND THEIR WORK ON THE STRENGTHENING THE SIXTH WEBSITE. PROJECT STRATEGY. THE PROJECT PAIRS EXPERIENCED PRACTITIONERS AND RESEARCHERS TO TAKE A NEEDS-BASED APPROACH TO WORKING WITH COURTS. COMBINED WITH SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, THE TEAM HELPS SITES UNDERSTAND WHAT CAN BE DISTILLED FROM PRACTICE AND RESEARCH TO INFORM HOW SITES CAN USE THE INFORMATION TO IMPROVE THEIR SYSTEMS. ANTICIPATED BENEFITS AND MAJOR DELIVERABLES. THE CENTER AND FAIR TRIALS WILL COLLABORATE ON DEVELOPING AND DISSEMINATING VARIOUS MATERIALS, INCLUDING ONE NATIONAL OR SEVERAL REGIONAL VIRTUAL CONVENINGS, FACT SHEETS, AND BRIEFS. THE FINDINGS RELATED TO GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE WILL BE CAPTURED IN AT LEAST ONE WRITTEN DELIVERABLE ON A PERTINENT TOPIC AREA. THESE PRODUCTS WILL BE DESIGNED FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES AND MADE EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO COURTS, POLICYMAKERS, RESEARCHERS, MEDIA, DEFENSE PROVIDERS, AND OTHERS THROUGH STRENGTHENING THE SIXTH.

INFANT-TODDLER COURT PROGRAM - JUSTICE INNOVATION, INC. DOING BUSINESS AS CENTER FOR COURT INNOVATION (CENTER) SEEKS $3,125,000 OVER FIVE YEARS UNDER HEALTH RESOURCES & SERVICES ADMINISTRATION AWARD OPPORTUNITY 22-073 TO BUILD ON ITS SUCCESSFUL HISTORY DEVELOPING AND EXPANDING SPECIALIZED INFANT-TODDLER COURTS (ITCS) TO INCREASE THE PRESENCE OF ITCS IN NEW YORK STATE (NYS). THIS APPLICATION IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NYS UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM; THE NYS COUNCIL ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (CCF), WHICH COORDINATES 12 NYS CHILD- AND FAMILY-SERVING SYSTEMS; AND RISE, AN ORGANIZATION OF PARENTS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM THAT ADVOCATES FOR NEEDED REFORMS IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. THE PROPOSED PROJECT’S OVERARCHING GOAL IS TO ENGAGE FAMILIES, SYSTEMS, AND COMMUNITIES TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENTAL HEALTH OF COURT-INVOLVED INFANTS AND TODDLERS. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL SERVE CHILDREN BIRTH TO THREE YEARS OF AGE UNDER COURT JURISDICTION, INCLUDING CHILDREN WHO ARE IN FOSTER CARE AND THOSE WHO ARE AT RISK OF REMOVAL, AND THEIR FAMILIES. THERE ARE MORE THAN 16,000 INFANTS AND TODDLERS WITH ACTIVE CASES IN THE FAMILY COURTS IN NYS. THIS VERY LARGE NUMBER OF CHILDREN, WHO ESSENTIALLY START LIFE IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM, PRESENTS A NEED FOR SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE IN INFANT MENTAL HEALTH AND EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE FAMILY COURTS AND A NEED TO MAKE COURT INVOLVEMENT A PATHWAY TO EVIDENCE-BACKED AND HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES. THE CENTER’S STRONG STARTS COURT INITIATIVE’S ITC MODEL MEETS THESE NEEDS. THE CENTER PROPOSES TO EXPAND CAPACITY IN ONE OF ITS EXISTING STRONG STARTS COURT INITIATIVE ITC SITES, IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, WHICH HAS MORE THAN 2,500 INFANTS AND TODDLERS ON ITS CHILD PROTECTION DOCKET, AND TO DEVELOP NEW ITCS IN GEOGRAPHICALLY DIVERSE PARTS OF NYS, INCLUDING ERIE COUNTY IN THE WESTERNMOST PART OF NYS AND BROOME COUNTY IN THE SOUTH-CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE. THE CENTER'S EXISTING STRONG STARTS COURT INITIATIVE IS HI GHLY ALIGNED WITH THE ZERO TO THREE ITC MODEL AND CURRENTLY OPERATES IN EVERY BOROUGH OF NEW YORK CITY AND IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK. THE CENTER WILL LEVERAGE ITS STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NYS UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM AND ITS EXPERIENCE DEVELOPING PROBLEM SOLVING COURTS WITHIN AND WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO COORDINATE THE EFFORTS AND OPERATIONS OF ITCS THROUGHOUT NYS. A STATE COORDINATOR WILL ENSURE THAT THERE ARE CONSISTENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES ACROSS SITES, TRAINING FOR THE ITCS’ DEDICATED JUDGES AND INFANT MENTAL HEALTH-EXPERT CLINICAL COORDINATORS AS WELL AS OTHER NEEDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND UNIFORM DATA COLLECTION. THE CENTER WILL ALSO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE ITC PROGRAM NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS SHARED LEARNING ACROSS SITES AND STATE TEAMS, PROVIDE A DATA MANAGER TO THIS PROJECT, AND WILL INVOLVE ITS TRIBAL JUSTICE EXCHANGE TO INCLUDE THE EXPERTISE OF TRIBAL SYSTEMS AND FACILITATE COORDINATION BETWEEN TRIBAL AND STATE COURT SYSTEMS. THE CENTER’S PARTNERSHIP WITH RISE WILL ENSURE THAT THERE IS INPUT FROM PARENTS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM AT ALL STAGES OF PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, AND CCF WILL ASSIST IN THE RECRUITMENT OF MEMBERS FOR A STATEWIDE ADVISORY TEAM, BUILDING ON THEIR EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE CONVENING STATE AGENCY LEADERSHIP FOR SEVERAL EXISTING EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVES IN NYS, AND WILL ASSIST IN DEVELOPING STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABILITY OF ITCS IN NYS. THE PROJECT WILL BENEFIT FROM, CONTRIBUTE TO, AND BUILD ON STATEWIDE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND ITS RANGE OF PREVENTIVE SERVICES THAT SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENTAL AND RELATIONAL HEALTH OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND THAT PROMOTE FAMILIES' PROTECTIVE FACTORS PRIOR TO ANY NEED FOR COURT INVOLVEMENT. THE CENTER (COURTINNOVATION.ORG) IS HEADQUARTERED AT 520 8TH AVENUE, 18TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10018. THE DIRECTOR OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS DIRECTOR OF FAMILY COURT PROGRAMS KATHERINE WURMFELD (WURMFELDK@COURTINNOVATION.ORG, (

THE CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION, WITH ALABAMA APPLESEED, THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM, AND APPLIED RESEARCH SERVICES, PROPOSES TO PROVIDE TTA TO FIVE JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE PROVIDED IN COMMUNITIES THAT USE FINES AND FEES. PRIMARY ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE: 1) MAPPING AND ANALYZING EACH JURISDICTION'S FINES AND FEES TO GENERATE THE NET BENEFIT OF CURRENT PRACTICE IN THE CHOSEN SITES; 2) ASSESSING HOW WELL LOCAL AND STATE LAWS AND POLICIES RELATED TO FINES AND FEES MEET CONSTITUTIONAL STANDARDS AND ALIGN WITH BEST PRACTICES; 3) FACILITATING THE DEVELOPMENT OF TAILORED WORK PLANS DEFINING EACH SITE'S GOALS; AND 4) SUPPORTING SITES IN THE COMPLETION OF NEXT STEPS THROUGH ONGOING EXPERT ASSISTANCE AND ACTION RESEARCH. THE LEARNINGS FROM THE SITES, TO BE SELECTED BY THE CENTER AND ITS PARTNERS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BJA, WILL BE USED TO IDENTIFY GAPS IN KNOWLEDGE AFFECTING FINES AND FEES AND INFORM DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECT DELIVERABLES. THE PROJECT PAIRS EXPERIENCED PRACTITIONERS AND RESEARCHERS TO TAKE A NEEDS-BASED APPROACH TO WORKING WITH JURISDICTIONS. THE TEAM WILL HELP SITES UNDERSTAND WHAT CAN BE DISTILLED FROM PRACTICE AND RESEARCH TO INFORM HOW SITES CAN USE THE INFORMATION TO IMPROVE THEIR SYSTEMS. EACH SITE WILL PAIR WITH AN IDENTIFIABLE COMMUNITY CONSULTANT, SUCH AS AN ADVOCACY, RESEARCH, OR PUBLIC POLICY ORGANIZATION, THAT HAS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES, CONNECTIONS TO IMPACTED PEOPLE, AND A WILLINGNESS TO PROVIDE LOCALIZED SUBJECT-MATTER EXPERTISE. THE CENTER AND ITS PARTNERS WILL COLLABORATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND DISSEMINATION OF A VARIETY OF MATERIALS, INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE WHITE PAPER, MONOGRAPH, OR OTHER DOCUMENT ON A TOPIC AREA THAT WAS IDENTIFIED AS A GAP IN KNOWLEDGE. PUBLICATIONS WILL BE DISSEMINATED THROUGH THE CENTER'S EXPANSIVE NETWORK AND AT CONFERENCES OR IN-PERSON MEETINGS THAT INCLUDE FINES AND FEES AS TOPIC AREAS.

UNDER CATEGORY 6 OF THE FY23 ADULT TREATMENT COURT PLANNING, TRAINING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND RESOURCE CENTER INITIATIVE, JUSTICE INNOVATION INC. DOING BUSINESS AS CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION (CENTER) REQUESTS $2,500,000 OVER TWO YEARS TO SUPPORT JURISDICTIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO PLAN, LAUNCH, AND OPERATE COMMUNITY COURTS THAT REDUCE THE USE OF INCARCERATION, PREVENT FURTHER CRIME, AND IMPROVE PUBLIC TRUST IN THE JUSTICE-SYSTEM THROUGH THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY COURT INITIATIVE PROJECT. TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, THE CENTER WILL: (1) ENSURE COURTS PROVIDE SERVICES THAT REDUCE STIGMA AND ARE CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE; (2) PROVIDE TARGETED TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO GRANT RECIPIENTS; (3) CONVENE GRANTEE LEARNING COMMUNITIES TO EXPLORE BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED; (4) PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE COMMUNITY COURT FIELD AT LARGE; (5) ASSIST GRANTEES IN COLLECTING AND REPORTING PERFORMANCE METRICS DATA AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT; (6) ASSIST GRANTEES IN DISSEMINATING INFORMATION AND UPDATES ABOUT THEIR PROJECTS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE PROJECT; AND (7) CONDUCT MEETINGS WITH BJA TO ASSESS AND REPORT SITE PROGRESS AND PERFORMANCE. THE CENTER WILL CREATE GRANTEE LEARNING COMMITTEES AND PROVIDE EXPERT TA COACHES TO ASSESS AND IMPLEMENT INDIVIDUALIZED TTA TO EACH GRANTEE BASED ON ADULT LEARNING THEORY; DEVELOP AND DISSEMINATE COMMUNITY COURTS-RELATED PUBLICATIONS, HOST WEBINARS, ATTEND AND PRESENT AT CONFERENCES, MAINTAIN ONLINE RESOURCES, AND CONDUCT TRAININGS; AND DEVELOP DATA COLLECTION AND EVALUATION PROTOCOLS. THE CENTER ALSO WILL EMPLOY SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AND ESTABLISH A NATIONAL COMMUNITY JUSTICE ADVISORY BOARD TO ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION OF EVIDENCE-BASED BEST PRACTICES. AS THE ONLY BJA COMMUNITY COURTS INITIATIVE TTA PROVIDER SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY COURTS INITIATIVE IN 2010, AND THE CURRENT TTA PROVIDER FOR SEVERAL OTHER BJA PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE BJA STATE-BASED ADULT DRUG COURT PROGRAM, THE CENTER IS WELL POSITIONED TO SUCCESSFULLY CONTINUE TO SERVE AS BJAS COMMUNITY COURTS TTA PROVIDER. THE CENTERS APPROACH TO PROVIDING COMMUNITY COURTS TTA IS: 1) PRACTITIONER-BASED: THE CENTER IS THE WORLDS LEADING COMMUNITY COURT PRACTITIONER AND HAS UNPARALLELED EXPERTISE TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY COURT GRANTEES; 2) DATA-DRIVEN: THE CENTER ENCOURAGES CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES TO USE DATA TO TARGET PROBLEMS AND TRACK PROGRAM SUCCESS; 3) COMMUNITY-FOCUSED: THE CENTER ENCOURAGES CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES TO FOCUS ON SOLVING LOCAL PROBLEMS AND ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY; AND 4) RESULTS-ORIENTED: THE CENTER WORKS TO PRODUCE CONCRETE RESULTS, INCLUDING REDUCING CRIME, AIDING VICTIMS, CHANGING THE BEHAVIOR OF OFFENDERS, AND IMPROVING PUBLIC TRUST IN JUSTICE.

THE CENTER PROPOSES TO CREATE AND PILOT A GUN VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION MODEL TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE IN CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN. THIS PROGRAM, THE HEIGHTS, PUSHES BEYOND CREDIBLE MESSENGER MODELS TO HARNESS THE POWER OF GANG NETWORKS AND LEADERSHIP WITH HIGH SOCIAL CAPITAL IN THE STREETS TO ENGAGE THE HARDEST TO REACH OF THE HIGHEST-RISK POPULATION; THE SUBSET OF GUN CARRIERS KNOWN AS THE SHOOTERS, OFFENSIVE GUN CARRIERS KNOWN TO SHOOT TO KILL AND IN DECREASING GUN VIOLENCE IN CROWN HEIGHTS AND RE-ENVISIONING COMMUNITY SAFETY. THE HEIGHTS HAS FOUR PHASES. PHASE 1 FUNCTIONS FLUIDLY WITH THE BLOCK AND PROVIDES ALL HIGH-RISK GUN-CARRYING AND STREET-INVOLVED COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACCESS TO SUPPLIES AND WORKSHOPS ADDRESSING BASIC NEEDS. PHASES 2 THROUGH 4 FOCUS ON THE SUBSET OF GUN CARRIERS PARTICIPANTS REFERRED TO AS SHOOTERS - THE ONLY GROUP OF OFFENSIVE CARRIERS. THEY WORK CLOSELY WITH STAFF WHO ARE INFLUENTIAL LOCAL GANG MEMBERS WITH HIGH SOCIAL CAPITAL IN THE STREETS, AS WELL AS A WIDE ARRAY OF SERVICE PROVIDERS AND CBOS, IN ONGOING SESSIONS TO BUILD CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS, ACCESS SKILL-BUILDING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND ENGAGE HEALING MODALITIES TO HELP COUNTERACT THE SERIOUS EFFECTS OF SUCH EXTENSIVE TRAUMA EXPOSURE. THESE HARDEST-TO-REACH AMONG THE HIGHEST-RISK POPULATION FOR GUN VIOLENCE VICTIMIZATION AND PERPETRATION WOULD BE CONNECTED WITH THE MATERIAL THINGS THEY AND THEIR NETWORKS NEED TO BEGIN HEALING, BUILD VIBRANT, AND SAFE COMMUNITIES, AND REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE PERPETRATION. THE CENTER WILL COLLABORATE WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO (SUB-AWARDEE) TO CONDUCT THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE ASSESSMENT.

THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) INITIATIVE PROVIDES OVW GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES WITH THE EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFUL STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND CAMPUS PROJECTS; INCREASE VICTIM SAFETY; AND BOLSTER OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY. THROUGH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, OVW SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, CONFERENCES, PEER-TO-PEER CONSULTATIONS, AND TARGETED ASSISTANCE THAT ALLOW CURRENT AND POTENTIAL GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS AND ONE ANOTHER ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND INCORPORATE PROMISING PRACTICES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. IN ADDITION, OVW IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEMS AND VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY WORKED TOGETHER TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. WITH FY 2024 TA INITIATIVE FUNDING, JUSTICE INNOVATION, INC. WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON EMERGING TRENDS AND BEST PRACTICES TO COURT BASED AND COURT-RELATED PERSONNEL. THIS PROJECT WILL INCLUDE DELIVERY OF TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES (JFF) GRANTEES THROUGH IN-PERSON AND REMOTE TRAININGS, VIRTUAL CONSULTATION, AND/OR IN-PERSON SITE VISITS; FACILITATION OF COMMUNICATION AND SHARING OF BEST PRACTICES AMONG JFF GRANTEES THROUGH REGULAR CALLS, WEBINARS, AND A LISTSERV; AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING THE ANNUAL ORIENTATION FOR JFF GRANTEES. THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS FY 2024 TA INITIATIVE PURPOSE AREA 38, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES GRANTEES ADDRESSING COURT-BASED AND COURT-RELATED PERSONNEL. THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 36 MONTHS. THIS AWARD IS A CONTINUATION OF 15JOVW-22-GK-04034-JFFX. THIS AWARD IS FOR YEARS 1, 2, AND 3 OF A FIVE-YEAR COMPREHENSIVE TA PROJECT AWARDED COMPETITIVELY UNDER THE FY 2024 TA INITIATIVE SOLICITATION.

THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) INITIATIVE PROVIDES OVW GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES WITH THE EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFUL STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND CAMPUS PROJECTS; INCREASE VICTIM SAFETY; AND BOLSTER OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY. THROUGH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, OVW SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, CONFERENCES, PEER-TO-PEER CONSULTATIONS, AND TARGETED ASSISTANCE THAT ALLOW CURRENT AND POTENTIAL GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS AND ONE ANOTHER ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND INCORPORATE PROMISING PRACTICES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. IN ADDITION, OVW IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEMS AND VICTIM SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY WORKED TOGETHER TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. WITH FY 2023 TA INITIATIVE FUNDING, JUSTICE INNOVATION, INC. DOING BUSINESS AS CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION WILL CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCE FOR INCREASING SAFETY AND CONNECTION (DV RISC) PROJECT. THIS PROJECT WILL INCREASE THE EFFECTIVE USE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE (IPV) RISK ASSESSMENTS AS PART OF COORDINATED RESPONSES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOMICIDE PREVENTION AND MAINTAIN A NATIONAL ONLINE RESOURCE CENTER. OVER THE COURSE OF THE PROJECT PERIOD, JUSTICE INNOVATION, INC. WILL PROVIDE DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE RELATED TO RISK ASSESSMENT IMPLEMENTATIONS, PROVIDE ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES ON IPV RISK ASSESSMENTS, FACILITATE PEER CONNECTIONS AMONGST JURISDICTIONS TO PROMOTE EFFECTIVE PRACTICES IN RISK ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES, COORDINATE REFERRALS TO SUBJECT-MATTER EXPERTS, HOST ROUNDTABLES ON EMERGING ISSUES, AND DEVELOP A GUIDEBOOK FOR THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF IPV RISK ASSESSMENTS. THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS FY 2023 TA INITIATIVE PURPOSE AREA 56: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOMICIDE PREVENTION RISK AND LETHALITY ASSESSMENT CENTER. THIS AWARD IS FOR YEARS 4 AND 5 OF A FIVE-YEAR COMPREHENSIVE TA PROJECT, AWARDED COMPETITIVELY IN FY 2020 AND IS A CONTINUATION OF 2020-TA-AX-K029 (AWARDED TO THE FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK/CENTER FOR COURT INNOVATION).

JUSTICE INNOVATION INC., DOING BUSINESS AS THE CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION (CENTER), FORMERLY CENTER FOR COURT INNOVATION, SEEKS $1,142,494 TO SERVE AS A TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TTA) PROVIDER UNDER BJA'S NATIONAL COMMUNITY COURTS TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE, PER THE FY23 INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS TO PREVIOUSLY FUNDED AWARDS. THE CENTER CREATED THE WORLD’S FIRST COMMUNITY COURT IN 1993 AND HAS SINCE PLANNED, IMPLEMENTED, AND OPERATED SEVERAL OTHER AWARD-WINNING COMMUNITY COURTS IN THE NEW YORK AREA. SINCE 2010, THE CENTER HAS SERVED AS BJA’S NATIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER FOR COMMUNITY COURTS. THE CENTER WILL IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES, AMONG OTHERS DESCRIBED MORE FULLY IN THE PROGRAM NARRATIVE: PROVIDE CONTINUED SUPPORT TO FY 2020 GRANT RECIPIENTS. CENTER STAFF WILL PROVIDE ONGOING ASSISTANCE TO GRANTEES’ PROGRESS TOWARD GOALS AND OBJECTIVES BY DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ABOUT BEST PRACTICES AND LESSONS LEARNED, TROUBLESHOOTING OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES, FACILITATING PEER AND SUBJECT MATTER CONNECTIONS, AND PROVIDING ONGOING RECOMMENDATIONS ON DATA TRACKING AND EVALUATION STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT SUCCESSFUL PROJECT MANAGEMENT. PROVIDE TTA TO A NEW COHORT OF UP TO EIGHT FY 2022 COMMUNITY COURT SITES. SERVICES WILL INCLUDE CONDUCTING TTA NEEDS ASSESSMENTS DURING EACH SITE’S PLANNING PHASE, PROVIDING ON-SITE AND REMOTE TTA TO SUPPORT PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION OR EXPANSION, FACILITATING PEER-TO-PEER CONSULTATIONS THROUGH THE NATIONAL NETWORK, ASSISTING GRANTEES IN DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR PROJECTS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND HELPING GRANTEES BUILD EFFECTIVE DATA MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION CAPACITY. SUPPORT REGIONAL MEETINGS TO EDUCATE AND ENGAGE THE FIELD ON COMMUNITY JUSTICE PRACTICES. THE CENTER WILL CONVENE IN-PERSON AND REMOTE WORKSHOPS FOR JUDGES, COURT ADMINISTRATORS, LAWYERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, SERVICE PROVIDERS, PROBATION AGENCIES, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, COMMUNITY COURT PRACTITIONERS AND JUSTICE SYSTEM LEADERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING CHALLENGES IN THE FIELD AND EXPLORING BEST PRACTICES TO ADVANCE COMMUNITY COURTS NATIONALLY. THE CENTER WILL LEVERAGE THE REGIONAL MENTOR COURT NETWORK TO SUPPORT THIS OBJECTIVE. THE SERVICE AREA WILL BE NATIONWIDE, AND THE BENEFICIARIES WILL BE JURISDICTIONS SEEKING TO IMPLEMENT OR ENHANCE COMMUNITY COURT PROGRAMS AS WELL AS THE FIELD AT LARGE.

JUSTICE INNOVATION, INC. DOING BUSINESS AS THE CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION (CENTER), THROUGH ITS OPPORTUNITY YOUTH PART, PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT THE COMMUNITY YOUTH VIOLENCE INTERVENTION INITIATIVE; A MULTI-LAYERED PUBLIC HEALTH ANTI-VIOLENCE INTERVENTION THAT AIMS TO REDUCE VIOLENCE, ESPECIALLY GUN VIOLENCE, COMMITTED BY EMERGING ADULTS IN NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK. THE CENTER WILL EMPLOY MULTIPLE STRATEGIES AIMED AT CHANGING NORMS AROUND VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDING EMERGING ADULTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME POSITIVE CHANGE MAKERS AND AVOID JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT. ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE: 1) UTILIZING CREDIBLE MESSENGERS TO CONDUCT STREET OUTREACH, INTERRUPT VIOLENCE, AND CONNECT WITH HIGH-RISK YOUTH AS COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTIONS; 2) YOUTH-LED PROJECT-BASED APPROACHES INFORMED BY CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN STRATEGIES TO INCREASE SAFETY IN THE COMMUNITY; 3) INDIVIDUAL ENGAGEMENT USING A TRANSFORMATIVE MENTORING APPROACH WITH A CREDIBLE MESSENGER; 4) GROUP-BASED INTERVENTIONS IN WHICH PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE TRAINING IN RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND CIRCLE-KEEPING; 5) ECONOMIC MOBILITY STRATEGIES, SUCH A PROVIDING CAREER COUNSELING AND SOFT SKILL DEVELOPMENT, TO ADDRESS YOUTH'S DISCONNECTION FROM THE WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES; AND 6) AFTERCARE SUPPORT FOR YOUTH PARTICIPANTS. THE PROJECT AIMS TO REENGAGE DISCONNECTED EMERGING ADULTS FROM NEW ROCHELLE AND SUPPORT THEIR ENROLLMENT IN AND COMPLETION OF SOCIOEMOTIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND ECONOMIC SERVICES AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO DIVERT THEM AWAY FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND BOOST THEIR ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY, STABILITY, AND FUTURE ORIENTATION, AND IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE TO VIOLENCE AND VIOLENT CRIME-RELATED AND FIREARM ARRESTS WITHIN THE EMERGING ADULT POPULATION.

JUSTICE INNOVATION INC., DOING BUSINESS AS THE CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION (CENTER), PROPOSES TO DEVELOP, PILOT, ANALYZE, AND FINALIZE THE COUNTRY’S FIRST TRIBAL-SPECIFIC RISK-NEED-RESPONSIVITY (RNR) ASSESSMENT TOOL. THIS PROPOSAL IS SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO BJA’S INVITATION TO APPLY FOR FY23 ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS TO PREVIOUSLY FUNDED AWARDS UNDER THE FIELD-INITIATED PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE OFFICER AND PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVE. THE SERVICE AREA IS NATIONWIDE, AND THE PRIMARY BENEFICIARIES ARE SELECTED TRIBAL JURISDICTIONS AS WELL AS THE FIELD AT LARGE. THE CENTER SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOPED THE TRIBAL-SPECIFIC RNR TOOL DURING THE ORIGINAL AWARD PERIOD. IN DEVELOPING THIS TOOL, THE CENTER DREW UPON PREVIOUSLY VALIDATED INSTRUMENTS, EXISTING RESEARCH AND EXPERTISE ON RNR ASSESSMENT (INCLUDING EXTENSIVE INPUT FROM ITS ADVISORY COUNCIL), AND EMERGING RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL FACTORS ON ASSESSING RISK AND NEED IN THE AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE (AI/AN) POPULATIONS. THE CENTER NOW SEEKS TO PILOT THE TOOL, GENERATE DATA ON ITS EFFICACY, IMPROVE THE TOOL AND IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS BASED ON PILOT RESULTS, AND FINALIZE THE TOOL FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION. THE PROJECT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO PHASES: (1) A PILOT PHASE TO TEST THE TOOL IN 2-3 TRIBAL JURISDICTIONS; AND (2) A SECOND PHASE TO ANALYZE RECIDIVISM DATA, IDENTIFY PREDICTIVE RISK-NEED FACTORS, AND FINALIZE THE TOOL. WITH THIS PROPOSAL, 2-3 TRIBAL JURISDICTIONS WITH A RELATIVELY HIGH VOLUME OF COURT CASES AND APPROPRIATE DATA COLLECTION CAPACITY WILL SERVE AS THE PILOT SITES. THE CENTER WILL FIRST ENGAGE PILOT SITES IN PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH BEFORE PILOTING OFFICIALLY COMMENCES, REVIEWING THE TOOL AND DISCUSSING IMPLEMENTATION. THE PILOTING PROCESS INVOLVES 6-9 MONTHS OF ADMINISTERING THE TOOL TO CONSENTING DEFENDANTS BY EITHER THE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS OR TRAINED STAFF, WITH PARTICIPANT DATA COLLECTED AND SECURELY STORED. DURING PHASE TWO, RECIDIVISM DATA WILL BE TRACKED FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS ON DEFENDANTS WHO WERE ADMINISTERED THE TRIBAL RNR TOOL. ALL DATA FROM THE SITES WILL BE ANALYZED BY CENTER STAFF TO PRODUCE AN ACCURATE RISK-NEED PROFILE OF THE AI/AN POPULATION AT THE PILOT SITES. FINALLY, PREDICTIVE VALIDITY OF THE RNR TOOL WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE ANALYSIS OF THE SIX-MONTH RECIDIVISM DATA. THE ADVISORY COUNCIL AND TRIBAL SITES WILL PROVIDE FEEDBACK BASED ON PILOT RESULTS IN ORDER TO FINALIZE THE TOOL. THE PROJECT WILL HAVE SEVERAL KEY PRODUCTS: (1) THE FINALIZED TOOL ITSELF; (2) A RESEARCH REPORT WITH STUDY FINDINGS; (3) AN IMPLEMENTATION GUIDEBOOK, WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE TOOL AND TIPS FOR INTEGRATION; AND (4) CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS AND WEBINARS FOR DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRIBAL RNR TOOL.

HOUSING NAVIGATOR INITIATIVE

IN RESPONSE TO THE OVC FY23 CHILD VICTIMS AND WITNESSES SUPPORT MATERIALS: OUTREACH AND IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT SOLICITATION, THE CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION (CENTER), FORMERLY THE CENTER FOR COURT INNOVATION, WILL BUILD ON ITS PRIOR EFFORTS TO DEVELOP AND PROMOTE THE OVC-PUBLISHED CHILD VICTIMS AND WITNESSES SUPPORT MATERIALS. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL CONTINUE THE CENTERS WORK TO INCREASE PRACTITIONERS AWARENESS ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THESE MATERIALS AND FACILITATE THEIR USE WITH CHILD VICTIMS AND WITNESSES NATIONALLY. BECAUSE CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS AND COMMUNITIES STRUGGLE WITH ACCESSING THE DIGITIZED MATERIALS OR LACK THE RESOURCES TO PRINT HARD COPIES, THE CENTER WILL FINANCIALLY, PROGRAMMATICALLY, AND ADMINISTRATIVELY AWARD, SUPPORT, AND MONITOR SUB-GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS NATIONWIDE WHO PROPOSE TO PRINT AND UTILIZE THE OVC-PUBLISHED CHILD VICTIMS AND WITNESSES SUPPORT MATERIALS. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THESE SUBAWARDS WILL BE GIVEN TO JURISDICTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHERE ACCESSIBILITY POSES A CHALLENGE, INCLUDING RURAL COMMUNITIES, TRIBAL JURISDICTIONS, AND CHILD-SERVING AGENCIES WITH LIMITED FINANCIAL MEANS. THE CENTER WILL DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT AN APPLICATION PROCESS FOR SUBAWARDS IN COLLABORATION WITH OVC, DISBURSE FUNDS TO AWARDEES, MONITOR THE USE OF FUNDS, AND COLLECT DATA ABOUT PRINTING REQUESTS, INCLUDING THE SYSTEM AND COMMUNITY CONTEXT IN WHICH THE MATERIALS WILL BE USED. ADDITIONALLY, TO FULFILL THE INTENDED PURPOSE OF SUPPORTING YOUNG VICTIMS AND WITNESSES THAT INTERACT WITH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE CENTER, WITH THE SUPPORT OF PREVIOUS PROJECT PARTNERS, WILL CONDUCT NATIONAL OUTREACH TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE MATERIALS TO FURTHER INCREASE THE USE OF THE MATERIALS IN PRACTICE. THE CENTER HOPES THAT INCREASING ACCESSIBILITY AND AWARENESS OF THE MATERIALS WILL FURTHER THE ORIGINAL PROJECT GOAL TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE, DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE, CULTURALLY COMPETENT, TRAUMA-INFORMED SUPPORT TO CHILDREN INVOLVED IN STATE, FEDERAL AND TRIBAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS AS VICTIMS AND WITNESSES OF CRIME.

THE NEW ROCHELLE COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTER (NRCJC), A PROJECT OF JUSTICE INNOVATION INC. D/B/A CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF NEW ROCHELLE, CHOICE OF NY, COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, STUDENTS, AND THEIR FAMILIES WILL IMPLEMENT THE YOUTH JUSTICE EQUITY PROGRAM (YJEP), A HOLISTIC, INDIVIDUALIZED INTERVENTION MODEL THAT CONNECTS STUDENTS IN-NEED WITH THE PROFESSIONALS, PROGRAMING, AND RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THEIR INDIVIDUAL RISK FACTORS. YJEP WILL SERVE 30-60 HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH, AGES 14-17, WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY COMMUNITY VIOLENCE AND/OR WHO ARE AT RISK OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE. PARTICIPANTS FOR YJEP WILL LARGELY BE RECRUITED FROM THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF NEW ROCHELLE. THROUGH YJEP, NRCJC WILL 1) ENHANCE AND EXPAND PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO ADDRESS SCHOOL VIOLENCE; 2) IMPROVE SCHOOL CAPACITY TO PREVENT INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE AND INTERVENE EARLY TO ADDRESS THEM; 3) EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILY ENGAGEMENT WITH SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO MUTUALLY ADDRESS RISK FACTORS FOR VIOLENCE; AND 4) IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL TO ENHANCE PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS, INCLUDING POSITIVE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT/INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT, HIGH SELF-ESTEEM, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, COPING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS, ENGAGEMENT IN SCHOOL WITH NON-DEVIANT PEERS, ATHLETICS, EMPLOYMENT, CONNECTEDNESS TO FAMILY OR OTHER ADULTS. NRCJC WILL HIRE A YOUTH RESOURCE SPECIALIST TO COLLABORATE CLOSELY WITH OTHER NRCJC STAFF, THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF NEW ROCHELLE, CHOICE OF NY (YJEP'S CASE MANAGEMENT PROVIDER) AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, TO COORDINATE EXECUTION OF YJEP PROGRAMMING. THROUGH YJEP PROGRAMMING, PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH CHOICE OF NY AND OTHER COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS IN SELECTING SERVICES FROM A MENU OF OPTIONS, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT, ACADEMIC TUTORING, SCHOOL-BASED MENTORSHIP, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. TO ENSURE FAMILIES ARE INTEGRATED ACROSS ALL YJEP PROGRAMMING, YJEP WILL IMPLEMENT A YOUTH AND FAMILY ADVISORY BOARD TO BOTH HOLD SYSTEM ACTORS ACCOUNTABLE AND PROVIDE INVALUABLE FIRST-HAND FEEDBACK ON YJEP PROGRAMMING. YJEP WILL WORK TO ADVANCE EQUITABLE OUTCOMES FOR THE YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN THE NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK COMMUNITY THAT NRCJC SERVES, WITH A FOCUS ON NEW ROCHELLE HIGH SCHOOL.

THE CENTER FOR COURT INNOVATION, THROUGH BRONX COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS, SEEKS TO ENHANCE THE BRONX HEROIN OVERDOSE PREVENTION & EDUCATION (BRONX HOPE) PROGRAMS CAPACITY TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WHO DEMONSTRATE DRUG DEPENDENCE UNDER CATEGORY 1 OF THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCES FY 2022 FIELD INITIATED: ENCOURAGING INNOVATION SOLICITATION. OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING COMMUNITIES ACROSS NEW YORK CITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE BRONX. BRONX HOPE IS PART OF THE BRONX COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE AND THE CITY OF NEW YORKS EFFORT TO IMPLEMENT HARM REDUCTION RESPONSES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. LAUNCHED IN 2019, BRONX HOPE REPRESENTS AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO RESOLVING LOW-LEVEL ARRESTS FOR POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND DIVERTING INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AWAY FROM THE COURT SYSTEM. LEVERAGING A HARM REDUCTION MODEL AND RAPID PEER ENGAGEMENT AT THE PRECINCT LEVEL, THE PROGRAM WORKS WITH ALL 12 NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT PRECINCTS IN THE BRONX TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS TO HARM REDUCTION SERVICES. DUE TO THE VAST NEED FOR INCREASED ACCESS TO MEANINGFUL HARM REDUCTION RESPONSES, THE CENTER SEEKS TO SUPPORT THE INCLUSION OF A BRONX HOPE MOBILE OFFICE SPACE. THE MOBILE OFFICE, NEW YORK CITY'S FIRST MOBILE OUTREACH UNIT THAT PRIORITIZES CONNECTING WITH INDIVIDUALS AT THE PRECINCT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEIR ARREST, WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO COMPLETE BRONX HOPE PROGRAMMING. THE MOBILE OFFICE WILL ALSO EXPAND EXISTING PROGRAMMING TO INCLUDE TARGETED PREVENTATIVE COMMUNITY OUTREACH, INCREASING THE COMMUNITY'S ACCESS TO TREATMENT AND CONNECTION WHILE PROVIDING A PRIVATE SPACE FOR PARTICIPANTS TO ENGAGE WITH PEERS. THIS INNOVATIVE PROGRAM WILL GIVE THE COMMUNITY IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO HARM REDUCTION RESOURCES 24 HOURS A DAY. BRONX HOPE WILL PARTNER WITH LEHMAN COLLEGE OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK TO DEVELOP A LOGIC MODEL, ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAM'S STRATEGY, AND PRODUCE A BEST PRACTICES GUIDE AND LESSONS LEARNED BOOKLET TO ASSIST ORGANIZATIONS INTERESTED IN REPLICATING THE BRONX HOPE MODEL. BRONX MOVIL WILL SERVE AS A CONSULTING PARTNER TO ASSIST WITH OPERATING THE MOBILE OFFICE AND CREATING A COMMUNITY OUTREACH PLAN. THE CENTER ANTICIPATES THAT 10% OF THE BUDGET WILL BE ALLOCATED TO ACCELERATING JUSTICE THROUGH THE CREATION OF APPROACHES AND TOOLS, 18% TO BUILDING ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES, 18% TO INCREASING DIVERSION OPPORTUNITIES, 18% TO ENHANCING COLLABORATION ACROSS JUSTICE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND PUBLIC HEALTH, 18% TO IMPROVING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN COMMUNITIES AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND 18% TO ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.

THE JUSTICE CENTER WILL WORK WITH SOUTH BROOKLYN COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL, A TRANSFER HIGH SCHOOL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEFT OTHER SCHOOLS, AND WITH JOHN JAY SCHOOL FOR LAW, A TRADITIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN BROOKLYN. BOTH SCHOOLS PREDOMINANTLY SERVE LOW-INCOME STUDENTS OF COLOR. THE YOUTH JUSTICE INITIATIVE AIMS TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AND IMPROVE SCHOOL CLIMATE THROUGH EMBEDDING RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND EQUITY PRACTICES INTO SCHOOL CULTURE. THE YOUTH JUSTICE INITIATIVE WILL ACHIEVE ITS GOAL BY: (1) REPLACING PUNITIVE APPROACHES TO DISCIPLINE WITH RESTORATIVE APPROACHES, INCLUDING RESTORATIVE CIRCLES TO ADDRESS INFRACTIONS; (2) TRAINING STAFF ON PRACTICES AND TOPICS THAT WILL INFORM AND IMPROVE STAFF STUDENT INTERACTIONS, INCLUDING INFORMATION ON RACE EQUITY, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, VIOLENCE PREVENTION, TRAUMA INFORMED CARE, AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING; (3) TRAINING A SELECT COHORT OF STUDENTS EACH YEAR WHO WILL BECOME PEER AMBASSADORS FOR RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN THE SCHOOLS; AND (4) CONNECTING MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY TO SOCIAL SERVICES TO ADDRESS UNDERLYING, UNMET NEEDS. WITH THE AIM OF REDUCING SCHOOL-BASED VIOLENCE BY 25 PERCENT OVER A 3-YEAR PERIOD, EACH YEAR THE YOUTH JUSTICE INITIATIVE WILL TRAIN 10 STAFF AND 30 STUDENTS AND WILL ENGAGE 20 YOUTH THROUGH RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES.

JUSTICE INNOVATION INC. DOING BUSINESS AS CENTER FOR COURT INNOVATION (CENTER) SEEKS $1,000,000 OVER THREE YEARS UNDER BJA’S FY 2022 FIELD INITIATED: ENCOURAGING INNOVATION SOLICITATION TO EXPAND NEWARK COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS’ PRE-TRIAL ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES (NCS-PASS) PROGRAM. THE PROPOSED PROJECT’S OVERARCHING GOAL IS TO EXPAND PRE-TRIAL PROGRAMMING DELIVERED WITHIN THE SYSTEMS-CHANGE FRAMEWORK AND ESTABLISH A UNIVERSAL SCREENING AND CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO ALL INDIVIDUALS RELEASED PRE-TRIAL FROM THE ESSEX COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY (ECCF). THROUGH NCS-PASS, DEFENDANTS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, INTERESTED IN RECEIVING PRE-TRIAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT WILL BE ABLE TO OPT INTO A PRE-RELEASE ASSESSMENT FOLLOWED BY COMMUNITY-BASED CASE MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION WITH DEFENSE COUNSEL. AT THE SYSTEMS LEVEL, NCS-PASS WILL EXPEDITE LINKAGES TO EXISTING DIVERSION INITIATIVES WITHIN ESSEX COUNTY, NJ. THROUGH COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH, THE PROJECT WILL INTEGRATE THE VOICES OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS AND UTILIZE LESSONS LEARNED TO INFORM PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND RELATIONSHIPS. NCS WILL PARTNER WITH JOMOWORKS, WHICH WILL SERVE AS THE INDEPENDENT EVALUATOR FOR THIS PROJECT. NCS IS SEEKING PRIORITY CONSIDERATION UNDER 1(A) (SEE PAGE 11 OF THE NARRATIVE). THE MAJORITY OF PARTICIPANTS SERVED THROUGH NCS-PASS WILL BE BLACK DUE TO THE RACIAL COMPOSITION OF THE ECCF—A PRODUCT OF SYSTEMIC RACISM, AMONG A MULTITUDE OF OTHER FACTORS. THE PROGRAM WILL CONSIDER HOW UNIVERSAL SERVICE DELIVERY COULD MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF SYSTEMIC RACISM BY ELIMINATING DISPARITIES WHICH CAN BE PERPETUATED BY THE LEGAL AND CLINICAL CRITERIA ASSOCIATED WITH MOST DIVERSION PROGRAMS.   THE PROGRAM SEEKS $1 MILLION AND ANTICIPATES THAT 25% OF THE BUDGET WILL BE ALLOCATED TO ACCELERATING JUSTICE THROUGH APPROACHES AND TOOLS TO IDENTIFY LEVERS FOR CHANGE, 30% TO INCREASING DIVERSION, PARTICULARLY AT THE PRE-TRIAL PHASE; 15% TO ENHANCING COLLABORATION ACROSS JUSTICE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC HEALTH FOR THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND/OR SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES; 15% TO IMPROVING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN COMMUNITIES AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THROUGH INCREASED ACCESS; AND 15% TO ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS/SUBSTANCE USE-RELATED CRIMES.

JUSTICE INNOVATION, INC. DOING BUSINESS AS THE CENTER FOR COURT INNOVATION, THROUGH ITS STATEN ISLAND JUSTICE CENTER, PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT THE JUSTICE SCHOLARS NETWORK UNDER CATEGORY 2 OF THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE’S STOP SCHOOL VIOLENCE GRANT PROGRAM. THE PROPOSED PROJECT AIMS TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF THE EAGLE ACADEMY FOR YOUNG MEN OF STATEN ISLAND TO PREVENT AND REDUCE SCHOOL VIOLENCE THROUGH THE JUSTICE SCHOLARS NETWORK.   TO THIS END, THE STATEN ISLAND JUSTICE CENTER WILL WORK TO ENHANCE THE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS OF SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND YOUTH, ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS WITHIN THE LEARNING COMMUNITY, AND HELP CONNECT YOUTH TO APPROPRIATE RESOURCES. THE JUSTICE SCHOLARS NETWORK INITIATIVE WILL COMPRISE TWO MAIN COMPONENTS: 1) TRAINING STAFF IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION; YOUTH COURT, PEER MEDIATION, AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CIRCLE MODELS; AND MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING IN ORDER TO INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY TO SUPPORT YOUTH LEADERS, ENHANCE THEIR SEL SKILLS, AND LEARN EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES TO RESPOND TO AND PREVENT YOUTH VIOLENCE; AND 2) TRAINING YOUTH IN THE SAME AREAS, BUT THOUGH A YOUTH-LENS AND WITH A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON PEER MEDIATION, TO EMPOWER THEM AS PEER LEADERS VIA YOUTH COURT AND PEER MEDIATION. UPON THE COMPLETION OF THEIR TRAINING, YOUTH LEADERS WILL TAKE ON VARIOUS ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SUCH AS KEY MEMBERS OF THE YOUTH COURT, PEER MEDIATORS, AND/OR CO-FACILITATORS DURING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL TRAINING AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE HEALING CIRCLES. THIS PROGRAM WILL EQUIP YOUTH PARTICIPANTS WITH THE SKILLS TO RESOLVE THEIR CONFLICTS, UNDERSTAND UNDERLYING ISSUES BEHIND THEIR ACTIONS, AND EXPLORE ACCOUNTABILITY.   WITH THE AIM TO REDUCE SCHOOL-BASED VIOLENCE BY 25%, THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL PROVIDE TRAINING TO FIVE STAFF OVER THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD AND 20 YOUTH LEADERS PER YEAR OVER THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD. IT WILL ALSO ENGAGE 50 YOUTH PER YEAR IN NEED OF CONFLICT MEDIATION AND/OR VIOLENCE INTERVENTION SERVICES. THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE, 80% OF PARTICIPATING YOUTH WILL ENHANCE THEIR SEL SKILLS; 80% OF YOUTH WHO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM WILL DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR SUPPORTING NON-VIOLENT FORMS OF COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION; 75% OF YOUTH WILL IDENTIFY A POSITIVE SUPPORT SYSTEM; AND 100% OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOL STAFF WILL ENHANCE THEIR CAPACITY TO RESPOND TO CONFLICT AND PREVENT VIOLENCE THROUGH TRAINING.

JUSTICE INNOVATION INC. DOING BUSINESS AS THE CENTER FOR COURT INNOVATION (CENTER) SEEKS $1,000,000 OVER A 36-MONTH GRANT PERIOD TO CREATE AND IMPLEMENT THE SOUTH BRONX COMMUNITY SAFETY INITIATIVE IN BRONX, NY.  THIS PROPOSAL FOCUSES ON BRONX COMMUNITY DISTRICT 3. THE POPULATION IS APPROXIMATELY 79,762. PRECISE BOUNDARIES OF BRONX CD 3 ARE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSAL NARRATIVE. THE AREA INCLUDES ZIP CODES 10451, 10456, 10457, 10459, AND 10460. CENSUS TRACKS 149, 145, 151, 161, 165, AND 167 WERE DESIGNATED AS LOW-INCOME HIGH POVERTY OPPORTUNITY ZONES BY NEW YORK STATE. CENSUS TRACTS 141 AND 157 WERE DESIGNATED AS LOW-INCOME QUALIFIED OPPORTUNITY ZONES BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE BRONX COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE RECEIVED THE 2019 BJA INNOVATIVE PROSECUTION SOLUTIONS FOR COMBATING CRIME AWARD; BRONX CD 3 IS INCLUDED IN THE BOROUGH-WIDE CATCHMENT. THE CENTER IS NOT AWARE OF ADDITIONAL FEDERAL FUNDS DIRECTED TOWARD THE TARGET NEIGHBORHOOD.   THE CENTER WILL UTILIZE CRIME DATA FROM THE NYPD AND MOCJ TO ASSESS CRIME AND HOT SPOTS WITHIN THE TARGET NEIGHBORHOOD. THE CENTER WILL WORK WITH PARTNERS TO ANALYZE DATA TO IDENTIFY FOCUS AREAS, TRENDS, CHANGES, OR OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY INDICATE A NEED TO RE-ASSESS PROGRAM HOTSPOTS OR INTERVENTIONS. THE CENTER WILL LEVERAGE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO ENSURE THAT QUALITIVE INSIGHT AND INFORMATION ABOUT COMMUNITY INCIDENTS IS ALSO INCLUDED IN ANALYSIS, PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION, AND INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT.   THE PROJECT WILL REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME AND INCREASE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY IN BRONX CD 3 THROUGH A PLACE-BASED STRATEGY THAT FOCUSES ON CRIME DETERRENCE, NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, DATA-DRIVEN STRATEGIES, AND CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS. PROJECT STAFF WILL EMPLOY PUBLIC SAFETY, VIOLENCE PREVENTION, YOUTH SERVICES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, URBAN PLANNING, AND PUBLIC HEALTH STRATEGIES TO REDUCE CRIME AND CREATE A SAFER, MORE EQUITABLE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE DEEP-ROOTED AND GENERATIONAL ISSUES OF COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, SPECIFICALLY TERRITORIAL GANG VIOLENCE AND YOUTH-DRIVEN CRIME IN THE CATCHMENT AREA, WHICH INCLUDES MULTIPLE PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS WHERE RIVAL CREWS CAUSE VIOLENCE AND CRIME. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO ADDRESS THE STREET DRUG USE ACTIVITY AND CORRELATED CRIME.   THE FULL-TIME PROJECT COORDINATOR WILL BE HIRED BY THE CENTER UPON ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE GRANT AWARD. THE CENTER WILL LEVERAGE ITS (S.O.S.) VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE BRONX COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE’S COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES, THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY’S ANTI-VIOLENCE INITIATIVES WITHIN THE CATCHMENT, AND CHILDREN’S AID’S COLLECTIVE IMPACT INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE CHILDHOOD OUTCOMES IN THE CATCHMENT.

THE SOUTH BRONX YOUTH OPPORTUNITY INITIATIVE (SBYOI) WILL CREATE SAFER COMMUNITIES AND INCREASE YOUTH OPPORTUNITY IN BRONX COMMUNITY DISTRICT 3 BY REDUCING YOUTH GUN AND GANG VIOLENCE. SBYOI WILL: 1) CREATE A CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATIVE OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO IDENTIFY GAPS IN YOUTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO REDUCE YOUTH VIOLENCE AND DISRUPT GANG ACTIVITY; 2) IMPLEMENT STREET OUTREACH AND VIOLENCE INTERVENTION INITIATIVES USING CVI STRATEGIES; AND 3) PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES TO YOUTH AT RISK OF INVOLVEMENT WITH GUN VIOLENCE OR GANG ACTIVITY.   THE PROGRAM MODEL WILL BE INFORMED BY THE CORE STRATEGIES OF OJJDP’S COMPREHENSIVE GANG MODEL, AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION, OPPORTUNITIES PROVISION, SOCIAL INTERVENTION, SUPPRESSION, AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT. COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE THE CREATION OF THE COLLABORATIVE WORKING GROUP AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD. OPPORTUNITIES PROVISION WILL INCLUDE INTEREST-BASED PROGRAMMING, THERAPEUTIC SERVICES, AND GROUP PROGRAMMING. SOCIAL INTERVENTION ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE MENTORSHIP AND STREET OUTREACH. SUPPRESSION ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE COORDINATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS THROUGH THE COLLABORATIVE WORKING GROUP TO MONITOR AND DEVELOP RESPOND TO VIOLENCE. FINALLY, ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT WILL INCLUDE THE CREATION OF A COLLECTIVE IMPACT STRATEGY WITH THE COLLABORATIVE WORKING GROUP.   DELIVERABLES: DELIVERABLES WILL INCLUDE THE CREATION OF A CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATIVE WORKING GROUP, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OUTREACH AND VIOLENCE INTERVENTION ACTIVITIES LEADING TO REDUCED INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE, AND THE PROVISION OF A COMPREHENSIVE SPECTRUM OF YOUTH SERVICES INCLUDING MENTORSHIP, THERAPEUTIC SUPPORTS, AND INTEREST-BASED YOUTH PROGRAMS TO PREVENT AND REDUCE GANG INFLUENCE AND GANG-RELATED YOUTH VIOLENCE.   SERVICE AREA: SBYOI WILL SERVE BRONX COMMUNITY DISTRICT 3, WHICH INCLUDES THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF MORRISANIA, CLAREMONT, CROTONA, AND MELROSE. BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, THIS AREA WAS ONE OF THE FEW IN THE CITY THAT WAS EXPERIENCING A RISE IN VIOLENT CRIME WHILE MOST OF THE CITY WAS SEEING A DECREASE. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, THIS TREND HAS CONTINUED WITH THE AREA EXPERIENCING A TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN GUN VIOLENCE.   POPULATION SERVED: THE TARGET POPULATION FOR THE PROPOSED SOUTH BRONX YOUTH OPPORTUNITY INITIATIVE ARE YOUTH AGES 12-18 RESIDING IN, OR HIGHLY CONNECTED TO, BRONX COMMUNITY DISTRICT 3 WHO ARE AT HIGH RISK OF PERPETRATING OR BEING VICTIMIZED BY GUN VIOLENCE OR ARE GANG-INVOLVED OR AT RISK OF GANG INVOLVEMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE PROJECT WILL BENEFIT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY BY REDUCING COMMUNITY VIOLENCE AND THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF YOUTH GANG ACTIVITIES CREATING A SAFER AND HEALTHIER COMMUNITY.

IN RESPONSE TO THE OJJDP FY 2021 STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE SOLICITATION, NEWARK COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS PROPOSES THE NEWARK COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS-YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION (NCS-YVP) PROJECT TO DEVELOP AND ENHANCE COORDINATED RESPONSES TO VIOLENCE WITHIN THE NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, COMMUNITY AS IT RELATES TO YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES; DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE AND RESTORATIVE DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS TRAUMA ASSOCIATED WITH YOUTH VICTIMIZATION, EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE, AND YOUTHFUL OFFENDING; AND CREATE A SUSTAINABLE AND REPLICABLE PROGRAM THAT CAN CONTINUE TO REDUCE INCIDENCE OF YOUTH VIOLENCE AND MEANINGFULLY RESPOND TO VIOLENCE AND TRAUMA AMONGST YOUNG PEOPLE. THE PROJECT WILL BENEFIT AT LEAST 150 YOUTH, AGES 13 THROUGH 17, WHO HAVE EITHER BEEN IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE OR INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY. TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS, NEWARK COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS WILL CONVENE A MULTIDISCIPLINARY PLANNING TEAM (MPT) TO INFORM AND ADVISE YOUTH-BASED SERVICES AND COMMUNITY-BASED VIOLENCE PREVENTION STRATEGIES; INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE MPT AND OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE STAKEHOLDERS TO RESPOND TO YOUTHFUL OFFENDING, VIOLENCE, AND VICTIMIZATION; DEVELOP COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACHES AND CRIME-REDUCTION STRATEGIES THAT FOCUS ON PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION OF VIOLENT CRIME AMONG YOUTH; RAISE PROGRAM AWARENESS THROUGH STRATEGIC AND RIGOROUS OUTREACH TO YOUNG PEOPLE, JUVENILE JUSTICE STAKEHOLDERS, EDUCATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS, AND YOUTH-SERVING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS; DEVELOP INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLANS BASED ON EVIDENCE-BASED, CLINICAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT; INCREASE PROTECTIVE FACTORS THROUGH DELIVERY OF TRAUMA-INFORMED COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND MENTORING SERVICES TO YOUTH IMPACTED BY TRAUMA, CRIME, AND YOUTHFUL OFFENDING; PROVIDE AFTERCARE SUPPORT SERVICES TO ENSURE PARTICIPANTS HAVE CONNECTION TO NECESSARY SERVICES AFTER PROGRAM COMPLETION; UTILIZE THE ACTION RESEARCH MODEL TO DRIVE DATA-INFORMED PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCEMENTS; MEASURE AND REPORT PROGRAM IMPACT ON INCIDENCE OF YOUTH VIOLENCE, DELINQUENCY, AND VICTIMIZATION; AND INTEGRATE THE PROGRAM MODEL AND SYSTEM-BASED MULTIDISCIPLINARY COORDINATION INTO THE LARGER JUVENILE JUSTICE FRAMEWORK. THE PROJECT WILL PRODUCE AND BE ASSESSED FOR EFFECTIVENESS THROUGH MEETING MINUTES, MEETING AGENDAS, A STRATEGIC PLAN, POLICIES/PROCEDURES/PROTOCOLS, EVALUATION REPORTS, TRAINING, SURVEY(S) OR OTHER DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT, OUTREACH MATERIALS, SEMI-ANNUAL VIOLENCE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN EVENTS, AND PROGRAMMATIC REPORTS. NEWARK COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS PLANS TO EXECUTE A SUBCONTRACT WITH THE NEWARK STREET ACADEMY TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE.

DESPITE THIS YEAR MARKING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF GIDEON V. WAINWRIGHT (1963), THE PAUCITY OF RESEARCH ON EFFECTIVE PUBLIC DEFENSE MODELS FUELS A NATIONAL CRISIS. IN RECENT DECADES, HOLISTIC DEFENSE HAS EMERGED TO FILL THE GAPS IN TRADITIONAL DEFENSE PRACTICE BY PROVIDING CLIENT-CENTERED AND COMPREHENSIVE ADVOCACY THAT PRIORITIZES CLIENTS IDENTIFIED NEEDS, LEGAL OR OTHERWISE. PAST RESEARCH ON THE MODEL HAS YIELDED PROMISING RESULTS, BUT COMPARISON GROUPS HAVE IGNORED ONE OF THE MOST COMMON PUBLIC DEFENSE DELIVERY SYSTEMS MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL PROGRAMS. IN RESPONSE TO THIS CRITICAL RESEARCH GAP, THE CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION (CENTER) PROPOSES TO WORK WITH NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE OF DETROIT (NDS DETROIT) AND THE WAYNE COUNTY INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES DEPARTMENT (IDSD) TO CONDUCT A MIXED-METHODS EVALUATION OF NDS DETROITS HOLISTIC DEFENSE MODEL. THE EVALUATION WILL LEVERAGE THE EXISTING RANDOM ASSIGNMENT OF FELONY CASES IN WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN TO ESTIMATE THE CAUSAL IMPACT OF HOLISTIC PRACTICE. DESIGN AND METHODS: THE COMPREHENSIVE IMPLEMENTATION EVALUATION WILL DRAW ON DATA COLLECTED DURING A SITE VISIT, INCLUDING DIRECT OBSERVATIONS AND STAKEHOLDER AND STAFF INTERVIEWS. A SAMPLE OF FORMER NDS DETROIT AND ASSIGNED COUNSEL CLIENTS WILL BE RECRUITED TO UNDERSTAND THE PERCEIVED LEGITIMACY AND LEVEL OF TRUST THEY PLACED IN THEIR ATTORNEYS. THE IMPLEMENTATION EVALUATION WILL SERVE TO DOCUMENT THE SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE NDS DETROIT MODEL AND TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL FOR HOLISTIC DEFENSE PRACTICE TO BE TRANSLATED TO OTHER SETTINGS. QUALITATIVE DATA WILL BE ANALYZED TO IDENTIFY PATTERNS ACROSS RESPONDENT TYPE, OBSERVATIONAL SITUATION, OR INTERVIEW DOMAIN. FOR THE IMPACT EVALUATION, THE RANDOM ASSIGNMENT OF CASES CREATES A NATURAL EXPERIMENT, WHICH WILL BE CONFIRMED THROUGH ANALYSIS TESTING IF STUDY GROUPS ARE BALANCED. USING DATA DERIVED FROM COURT RECORDS, NDS DETROIT, AND IDSD, REGRESSION MODELS WILL EXAMINE WHETHER NDS DETROIT CLIENTS EXPERIENCE (1) MORE POSITIVE FELONY CASE OUTCOMES, (2) LESS RESTRICTIVE PRETRIAL CONDITIONS AND FEWER INSTANCES OF PRETRIAL FAILURE, (3) FEWER AND LESS SEVERE INSTANCES OF RECIDIVISM, AND (4) GREATER ENGAGEMENT WITH HOLISTIC RESOURCES RELATIVE TO ASSIGNED COUNSEL ATTORNEYS. SUBJECTS: THE IMPLEMENTATION EVALUATION WILL INVOLVE INTERVIEWS WITH APPROXIMATELY 15 STAKEHOLDERS AND 30 FORMER CLIENTS. THE IMPACT EVALUATION WILL INVOLVE APPROXIMATELY 48,000 FELONY CASES. PRODUCTS: THE RESEARCH TEAM WILL PRODUCE A SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS TO BE SUBMITTED TO NIJ, TWO TOPICAL BRIEFS FOR PRACTITIONER AUDIENCES, AND TWO JOURNAL MANUSCRIPTS. FINDINGS WILL BE FURTHER DISSEMINATED THROUGH THE CENTERS MULTIMEDIA STRATEGY. ALL DATA WILL BE ARCHIVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH NIJ REQUIREMENTS. CA/NCF

NEIGHBORS IN ACTION, A PROJECT OF JUSTICE INNOVATION INC. D/B/A THE CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION, SEEKS TO IMPLEMENT THE BROOKLYN YOUTH HEALING INITIATIVE (BYHI). THE PURPOSE OF BYHI IS TO IMPLEMENT A HOLISTIC, EVIDENCE-INFORMED, AND COMMUNITY-DRIVEN STRATEGY TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF THE CENTRAL BROOKLYN, NEW YORK COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT CHILDREN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE, REDUCE THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH, AND DISRUPT ONGOING CYCLES OF VIOLENCE. INTEGRATING EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES THROUGHOUT, BYHI WILL: 1) PROVIDE YOUTH WITH INDIVIDUAL THERAPY AND TRAUMA-INFORMED GROUPS; 2) ENGAGE FAMILIES IN GROUP THERAPY; 3) ENGAGE YOUTH IN SCHOOL-BASED VIOLENCE PREVENTION WORKSHOPS; 4) PROMOTE AND FACILITATE YOUTH ACCESS TO PROSOCIAL ACTIVITIES; 5) FACILITATE FAMILY NIGHTS AND ENGAGE YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS; AND 6) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT ARTS-BASED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMING. A CRITICAL ASPECT OF BYHI IS ITS FOCUS ON ENGAGING BOTH YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES. BY INVOLVING FAMILIES IN THE HEALING PROCESS, CREATING A YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD TO GUIDE THE PROJECT, AND DEVELOPING A ROBUST COLLABORATIVE TEAM OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THE PROGRAM ENSURES A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME AND VIOLENCE, SUCH AS POVERTY, TRAUMA, AND SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES. YOUTH AND FAMILY VOICE WILL BE CENTERED IN ALL PROGRAM ACTIVITIES. PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE CREATING A COLLABORATIVE TEAM COMPRISED OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTS TO GUIDE THE PROJECT; CREATING A YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD TO AMPLIFY YOUTH VOICES IN THE PROJECT'S DESIGN; DEVELOPING A CENTRAL BROOKLYN COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN TO REDUCE THE IMPACTS OF VIOLENCE ON YOUTH AND THE COMMUNITY; PROVIDING INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY FOR YOUTH; PROVIDING GROUP FAMILY THERAPY FOR FAMILIES IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE; CONDUCTING SCHOOL-BASED VIOLENCE PREVENTION WORKSHOPS; HOSTING AND FACILITATING ACCESS TO COMMUNITY EVENTS; AND EMPLOYING ARTS-BASED ENGAGEMENT PRACTICES. YOUTH AND FAMILIES WHO SERVE ON THE YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD AND/OR COLLABORATIVE TEAM WILL BE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR EXPERTISE AS COMMUNITY CONSULTANTS. YOUTH AGES 11-18 FROM THE CENTRAL BROOKLYN COMMUNITIES OF BEDFORD-STUYVESANT AND CROWN HEIGHTS WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE OR ARE AT RISK OF VIOLENCE EXPOSURE ALONG WITH THEIR FAMILIES ARE THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROJECT. EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE IMPACTS OF EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE AND TRAUMA, INCREASED ENGAGEMENT IN THERAPEUTIC SERVICES AND PROSOCIAL ACTIVITIES, DECREASED TRAUMA SYMPTOMS, IMPROVED COPING SKILLS, AND ENHANCED FAMILY AND COMMUNITY CAPACITY TO SUPPORT CHILDREN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE AND DISRUPT CYCLES OF VIOLENCE.

THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) INITIATIVE PROVIDES OVW GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES WITH THE EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFUL STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND CAMPUS PROJECTS; INCREASE VICTIM SAFETY; AND BOLSTER OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY. THROUGH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, OVW SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, CONFERENCES, PEER-TO-PEER CONSULTATIONS, AND TARGETED ASSISTANCE THAT ALLOW CURRENT AND POTENTIAL GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS AND ONE ANOTHER ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND INCORPORATE PROMISING PRACTICES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. IN ADDITION, OVW IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEMS AND VICTIM SERVICES PROVIDERS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY WORKED TOGETHER TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.   THIS AWARD WILL SUPPORT FY 2022 TA INITIATIVE PURPOSE AREA 18, TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON EMERGING TRENDS AND BEST PRACTICES TO COURT BASED AND COURT-RELATED PERSONNEL. THIS PROJECT WILL INCLUDE DELIVERY OF TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES (JFF) GRANTEES THROUGH IN-PERSON AND REMOTE TRAININGS; EMAIL, PHONE CONSULTATION, AND/OR IN-PERSON SITE VISITS; FACILITATION OF COMMUNICATION AND SHARING OF BEST PRACTICES AMONG JFF GRANTEES THROUGH REGULAR CALLS, WEBINARS, AND A LISTSERV; AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH THE ANNUAL ORIENTATION FOR JFF GRANTEES.   THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 24 MONTHS.   THIS IS A NEW AWARD.

THE QUEENS COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTER (JUSTICE CENTER), A PROJECT OF JUSTICE INNOVATION INC. D/B/A CENTER FOR COURT INNOVATION, PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT THE COMING HOME: QUEENS REENTRY PROGRAM IN RESPONSE TO CATEGORY 2 OF THE FY 2021 OJJDP SECOND CHANCE ACT YOUTH OFFENDER REENTRY PROGRAM SOLICITATION. THIS REENTRY/AFTERCARE PROGRAM WILL SUPPORT THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION OF YOUTH RETURNING FROM JUVENILE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY, TARGETING YOUTH AGES 12 TO 18 WHO ARE RETURNING FROM JUVENILE DETENTION AND PLACEMENT FACILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE JUSTICE CENTER WILL WORK WITH THE NEW YORK CITY ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES TO IDENTIFY YOUTH RETURNING TO QUEENS, NEW YORK, WHO ARE ASSESSED AS MODERATE TO HIGH RISK AND PROVIDE 100 YOUTH OVER THREE YEARS WITH SERVICES AND SUPPORT.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM. A GROWING BODY OF RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT THE ARREST AND INCARCERATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS FAILS TO IMPROVE TREATMENT OR RECIDIVISM OUTCOMES AND PUTS OTHER INMATES AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AT RISK. AT THE SAME TIME, PATROL OFFICERS ACTING AS FIRST-RESPONDERS OFTEN HAVE FEW PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVES TO ARREST WHEN RESPONDING TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CALLS. CO-RESPONDER MODELS THAT PAIR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WITH FIRST-RESPONDING OFFICERS TO IMPROVE DE-ESCALATION AND DIVERSION TO TREATMENT AT THE POINT OF ARREST SHOW PROMISE, BUT ARE LARGELY UNSTUDIED IN TERMS OF EFFICACY. IN RESPONSE TO THIS CRITICAL RESEARCH GAP, THE CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION (CENTER) PROPOSES TO WORK WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERRIFFS DEPARTMENT (LASD) TO CONDUCT A FORMATIVE PROCESS EVALUATION OF THE NEWLY DEVELOPED INTAKE BOOKING DIVERSION PROGRAM (IBD). DESIGN, METHODS, AND ANALYSIS. THE PROPOSED FORMATIVE PROCESS EVALUATION WILL INVOLVE (1) STAKEHOLDER AND STAFF INTERVIEWS; FOCUS GROUPS WITH ASSISTANT DEPUTIES FROM PATROL DIVISIONS; AND PROGRAM OBSERVATIONS AND (2) DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF OUTCOME DATA. THESE ACTIVITIES WILL SERVE TO DOCUMENT THE SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES OF EARLY IBD PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION. INTERVIEW, OBSERVATION, AND FOCUS GROUP DATA WILL BE ANALYZED TO IDENTIFY PATTERNS ACROSS RESPONDENT TYPE, OBSERVATIONAL SITUATION, OR INTERVIEW DOMAIN. FOR THE OUTCOME ANALYSIS, WE WILL COLLECT AND ANALYZE BOOKING, TREATMENT, AND RECIDIVISM DATA PROVIDED BY OUR LASD PARTNERS TO EXAMINE: (1) WHETHER THE IBD PROGRAM IMPROVES EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS; (2) WHETHER DIVERSION THROUGH IBD INCREASES TREATMENT ENGAGEMENT OR REDUCES RECIDIVISM AND FUTURE CALLS FOR SERVICE ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL HEALTH CRISES; (3) WHETHER THE IBD PROGRAM IMPROVES SAFETY FOR LASD DEPUTIES (IN THE FIELD OR JAIL FACILITY) AND INDIVIDUALS IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. SUBJECTS. THIS PROCESS EVALUATION WILL INVOLVE INTERVIEWS AND FOCUS GROUPS DATA FROM UP TO 50 STAFF AND STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED IN IBD DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION. THE OUTCOME EVALUATION WILL BE A CASE-LEVEL ANALYSIS OF 400 INDIVIDUALS BOOKED THROUGH IBD AND 400 BOOKED THROUGH COMPARISON STATION HOUSES, FOR A TOTAL SAMPLE SIZE OF UP TO 800. PRODUCTS, REPORTS, AND DATA ARCHIVING. THE RESEARCH TEAM WILL PRODUCE A SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS TO BE SUBMITTED TO NIJ, ALONG WITH ONE OR MORE PRACTITIONER-ORIENTED DELIVERABLES DESIGNED TO HELP FACILITATE TRANSLATION OF THE IBD MODEL TO NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. DISSEMINATION WILL ALSO OCCUR THROUGH CONFERENCES, LOCAL PRESENTATIONS, AND THE CENTERS MULTIMEDIA STRATEGY. ALL DATA WILL BE ARCHIVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH NIJ REQUIREMENTS. CA/NCF

JUSTICE INNOVATION, INC., DOING BUSINESS AS CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION (CENTER), PROPOSES SUPPORTING YOUTH THROUGH THE B-READY: THE BROWNSVILLE REENTRY PROGRAM IN BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN. THE PROJECT ANTICIPATES SERVING 100 YOUTH AGES 1218 ASSESSED AS MODERATE RISK AND RETURNING TO BROWNSVILLE FROM OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENTS. THE CENTER WILL IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE INDIVIDUALIZED REENTRY PROGRAM THAT WILL INCLUDE PRE-RELEASE SERVICE PLANNING, MENTORING, SUPERVISION, EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMMING, MEANINGFUL FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, CIVIC AND VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICES PROGRAMMING. THE CENTER RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND POSITIVE PEER SUPPORT AND WILL INCLUDE THEM THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM, COMPENSATING YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND ENGAGEMENT.

EAST HARLEM IS LOCATED IN NEW YORK COUNTY. THE CATCHMENT FOR THIS INITIATIVE RANGES FROM 112TH STREETS TO 125TH STREET GOING SOUTH TO NORTH. GOING FROM EAST TO WEST IT EXTENDS FROM THE EAST RIVER TO THIRD AVENUE FROM 115TH TO 125TH STREETS, AND FROM THE EAST RIVER TO PARK AVENUE FROM 112TH TO 115TH STREETS TO FULLY ENCOMPASS JOHNSON HOUSES. THE CATCHMENT STRADDLES THE 10029 AND 10035 ZIP CODES AND FALLS WITHIN MANHATTAN’S COMMUNITY DISTRICT 11, WHICH COVERS MOST OF EAST HARLEM.  THE PROJECT’S GOALS ARE TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND IMPROVE COMMUNITY SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE CATCHMENT. THE PROJECT’S OBJECTIVES WILL BE TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A TARGETED, PLACE-BASED, RESIDENT-DRIVEN PUBLIC SAFETY STRATEGY; INCREASE THE USE OF DATA-DRIVEN AND RESEARCH-BASED STRATEGIES TO REDUCE CRIME AND INCREASE SAFETY; AND BUILD THE CAPACITY OF THE COMMUNITY AND CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERS TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS. THE NEW YORK CITY MAYOR'S OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE (MOCJ) AND THE CENTER ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE MAYOR'S ACTION PLAN FOR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY (MAP’S) SUCCESSES. THE CITY HAS BASELINED SOME OF THE CORE MAP FUNDING, WHICH ENSURES CONTINUED CITY AGENCY INVOLVEMENT BY SUPPORTING THE ONGOING ROLE OF OUTREACH STAFF IN EACH OF THE TARGET COMMUNITIES. THE CITY HAS INVESTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN IMPROVING LIGHTING AND OTHER PHYSICAL FEATURES ON NYCHA CAMPUSES TO HELP CREATE SAFER ENVIRONMENTS. AND TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY, NSTAT IS INVESTING IN A CADRE OF STRONG RESIDENT LEADERS TO GUIDE ONGOING EFFORTS, INCLUDING TRAINING FOR TEAM MEMBERS IN AREAS SUCH AS CPTED, COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, PLACEMAKING, AND SUSTAINABILITY. THE CENTER’S IN-HOUSE RESEARCH DEPARTMENT WILL LEAD THE PERFORMANCE MEASURE TRACKING COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT TO MEASURE ACHIEVEMENT OF OBJECTIVES: TO CREATE SAFER AND MORE VIBRANT PUBLIC SPACES; TO FOSTER A CREDIBLE PEER-LED MOVEMENT THAT CAN HAVE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON INDIVIDUALS AT RISK OF VIOLENCE; AND TO DEVELOP A NETWORK OF SERVICES THAT CAN ENGAGE AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS. STAFF WILL TRACK THE NUMBER OF PARTNERSHIPS LEVERAGED, NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE IDENTIFIED AND RECRUITED TO JOIN CREDIBLE MESSENGER INITIATIVE, AND NUMBER OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE TRAININGS CONDUCTED, AMONG OTHER TO BE DETERMINED MEASURES. DURING THE PLANNING PERIOD, RESEARCHERS WILL COLLABORATE WITH PROJECT STAFF, CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERS, THE TTA PROVIDER, AND OTHER COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO FINALIZE THE EVALUATION PLAN (NOW COMPLETE). THE PROJECT TEAM WILL COMPILE ALL DATA NEEDED FOR THE PERFORMANCE MEASURE TOOL, AND REPORTS WILL BE SUBMITTED BY THE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) INITIATIVE PROVIDES OVW GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES WITH THE EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFUL STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND CAMPUS PROJECTS; INCREASE VICTIM SAFETY; AND BOLSTER OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY. THROUGH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, OVW SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, CONFERENCES, PEER-TO-PEER CONSULTATIONS, AND TARGETED ASSISTANCE THAT ALLOW CURRENT AND POTENTIAL GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS AND ONE ANOTHER ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND INCORPORATE PROMISING PRACTICES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. IN ADDITION, OVW IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEMS AND VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY WORKED TOGETHER TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. WITH FY 2024 TA INITIATIVE FUNDING, JUSTICE INNOVATION INC. (JI) WILL CONTINUE ITS ABUSIVE PARTNER ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENGAGEMENT TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT. THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE BASIC AND ADVANCED TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TTA) TO VICTIM ADVOCATES, PROBATION AND PAROLE, ATTORNEYS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROSECUTORS, STATE COURT JUDGES, AND COURT STAFF, ON EFFECTIVE ABUSE INTERVENTION PROGRAM PRACTICES. THE TTA WILL ALSO EXAMINE EXISTING AND EMERGING MODELS FOR PROMOTING OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. OVER THE COURSE OF THE PROJECT PERIOD, JI WILL PROVIDE DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND LONG TERM INTENSIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. IT WILL CONVENE A VIRTUAL CONFERENCE, PRESENT WEBINARS, AND DEVELOP AND/OR UPDATE TOOLS AND RESOURCES AS NEEDED. THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS FY 2024 TA INITIATIVE PURPOSE AREA 10: ABUSIVE PARTNER INTERVENTION PROGRAM. THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 36 MONTHS. THIS AWARD IS A CONTINUATION OF 15JOVW-22-GK-04033-MUMU.

THE GRANTS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM PROGRAM (REFERRED TO AS THE JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM) WAS AUTHORIZED IN THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2013 TO IMPROVE THE RESPONSE OF THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FAMILIES WITH A HISTORY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING, OR IN CASES INVOLVING ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES FOR IMPROVING THE CAPACITY OF COURTS AND COMMUNITIES TO RESPOND TO FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE TARGETED CRIMES: COURT-BASED AND COURT-RELATED PROGRAMS; SUPERVISED VISITATION AND SAFE EXCHANGE BY AND BETWEEN PARENTS; TRAINING FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH FAMILIES IN THE COURT SYSTEM; CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES; AND THE PROVISION OF RESOURCES IN JUVENILE COURT MATTERS. PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM ARE THOSE THAT FOCUS ON KEEPING VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN SAFE FROM FURTHER ABUSE AND HOLDING OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE. THROUGH THIS NEW JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROJECT, JUSTICE INNOVATION INC. DOING BUSINESS AS THE CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION, AND ITS PARTNERS, THE NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM, SANCTUARY FOR FAMILIES, FUTURES WITHOUT VIOLENCE, AND CHILDRENS LAW CENTER, WILL IMPLEMENT A STANDARD PROJECT ADDRESSINGTHE FOLLOWING PURPOSE AREAS: 3) TRAINING FOR COURT-BASED AND COURT-RELATED PERSONNEL;AND 5) COURT AND COURT-BASED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN KINGS COUNTY AND RICHMOND COUNTY NEW YORK. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES UNDER THIS PROJECT INCLUDE: 1) DEVELOPING AND HOSTING TRAININGS FOR FAMILY AND IDV COURT JUDGES, COURT STAFF, AND STAKEHOLDERS ON TOPICS THAT FOCUS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE IMPACT ON CHILDREN, HOLISTIC AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE APPROACHES TO SURVIVORS AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE WITNESSED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORT AND RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE WITNESSED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND IPV RISK FACTORS IN THE FAMILY COURT SETTING; 2) ADAPTING AND IMPLEMENTING AN OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM THAT IS VOLUNTARY, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE, AND TRAUMA-INFORMED FOR CASES IN WHICH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS IDENTIFIED, CHILDREN WERE INVOLVED, AND THE PARENT CAUSING HARM IS SEEKING SHARED PARENTING OR ACCESS TO THE CHILDREN; AND 3) PROVIDING UP TO FOUR OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY SESSIONS PER WEEK IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH BY TRAINED PAVE FACILITATORS.

JUSTICE INNOVATION INC. (DBA CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION), THROUGH ITS QUEENS COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTER-THE ROCKAWAYS PROPOSES TO INCREASE PROTECTIVE FACTORS TO PREVENT FURTHER DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR BY GIRLS AND GENDER-EXPANSIVE YOUTH BY IMPLEMENTING A SISTERS HAND. THE PROPOSED PROGRAM RELIES ON A STRENGTHS-BASED AND TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH TO PROVIDE MENTORING, CASE MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMMING TO DIVERT GIRLS AND GENDER-EXPANSIVE YOUTHWITH A FOCUS ON THOSE OF COLORFROM VIOLENCE AND JUSTICE SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT WHILE SUPPORTING THEIR COLLECTIVE HEALING AND HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AS YOUNG PEOPLE. QUEENS COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTER-THE ROCKAWAYS WILL ALSO WORK TO IMPROVE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM RESPONSES FOR GIRLS AND GENDER-EXPANSIVE YOUTH BY PROVIDING REGULAR TRAININGS FOR FAMILY COURT JUDGES, FAMILY COURT ATTORNEYS, AND PROBATION OFFICERS ON THE CHALLENGES AND STRENGTHS OF JUSTICE-INVOLVED GIRLS AND GENDER-EXPANSIVE YOUTH.

THE QUEENS COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTER (JUSTICE CENTER) IS PROPOSING TO SCALE UP ITS QUEENS HOPE (HEAL, OVERCOME, PROSPER, EMPOWER) PROGRAM. THE GOAL OF THE QUEENS HOPE EXPANSION WILL BE TO PREVENT AND REDUCE VICTIMIZATION OF GIRLS WHO ARE VULNERABLE TO SEX AND/OR LABOR TRAFFICKING. TO THIS END, THE JUSTICE CENTER WILL EXPAND THE QUEENS HOPE PROGRAM, A MENTORING-BASED PROGRAM THAT USES THE EVIDENCE-BASED MY LIFE MY CHOICE GROUP CURRICULUM, A PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION MODEL FOR GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN WHO ARE AT RISK OF OR ARE VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING, AND ENHANCE EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY AND PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE, TRAUMA-INFORMED, DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE, SURVIVOR-INFORMED, SURVIVORCENTERED, AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SERVICES TO GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN WHO ARE AT RISK OF OR ARE VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING THROUGH TRAININGS PROVIDED BY QUEENS HOPE STAFF TO COURT STAKEHOLDERS, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT PERIOD, A SOCIAL WORKER AND MENTOR WILL WORK ONE-ON-ONE AND IN GROUP SETTINGS WITH 90 GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN, AGES UP TO AND INCLUDING 25 YEARS OLD, WITH OR WITHOUT JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT. QUEENS HOPE WILL RECEIVE REFERRALS FROM THE ENTIRE BOROUGH OF QUEENS, WITH PARTICULAR FOCUS ON ENGAGING GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN FROM SOUTH JAMAICA, WHERE THE JUSTICE CENTER IS LOCATED. QUEENS HOPE STAFF WILL ALSO PROVIDE TRAINING/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT TO COURT STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO BUILD THEIR CAPACITY TO IDENTIFY AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN WHO ARE AT RISK OF, OR ARE VICTIMS OF, SEX AND/OR LABOR TRAFFICKING. AS PART OF QUEENS HOPES TRAUMA-INFORMED, CULTURALLY COMPETENT, AND SAFETY-CENTERED APPROACH TO ENGAGEMENT, QUEENS HOPE WILL ALSO PARTNER WITH LINEAGE PROJECT AS A SUBRECIPIENT. LINEAGE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE A MINDFULNESS AND SOMATIC PRACTICE CLASS TO ENHANCE THE SELFAWARENESS, STRESS MANAGEMENT, AND DECISION-MAKING CAPABILITIES OF QUEENS HOPE PARTICIPANTS. ADDITIONAL SUBRECIPIENTS WILL BE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS, FORMER PARTICIPANTS OF QUEENS HOPE WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE MY LIFE MY CHOICE GROUP AND ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING QUEENS 10 HOPE SERVICES. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL WORK WITH QUEENS HOPE STAFF TO DEVELOP THESE TRAININGS AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE QUEENS HOPE SERVICES.

JUSTICE INNOVATION INC. DOING BUSINESS AS CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION (CENTER) AIMS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM THROUGH THE BROWNSVILLE MENTORSHIP, B[ME], PROGRAM IN BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN. TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, THE CENTER WILL IMPLEMENT A HOLISTIC TRANSFORMATIVE MENTORING MODEL THAT STAFFS FIVE CREDIBLE MESSENGERS TO 1) INCREASE ACCESS TO MENTORING SERVICES FOR YOUTH INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM; 2) INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SCREENED AND WELL-TRAINED MENTORS, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ENSURING THE MENTORS SELECTED REFLECT THE YOUTH THEY SERVE; AND 3) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT PROGRAM DESIGN ENHANCEMENTS THAT ALIGN WITH RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE ON EFFECTIVE MENTORING APPROACHES. B[ME] WILL INCORPORATE AN ARRAY OF EVIDENCE-BASED MENTORING APPROACHES INCLUDED IN OJJDPS ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE PRACTICE FOR MENTORING; SUCH AS STRATEGIES FOR RECRUITMENT, MENTOR SCREENING, TRAINING, MATCHING, AND MONITORING AND SUPPORT; AND MENTORING ENHANCEMENTS; SUCH AS BEING PEER-BASED AND PEER LED, UTILIZING RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES, AND PARTICIPATION IN INTEREST-BASED SKILL DEVELOPMENT, MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING, AND SUPPORT SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT. B[ME] AIMS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO MENTORING SERVICES FOR YOUTH IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO IMPROVE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND REDUCE SCHOOL DROP-OUT RATES, RECIDIVISM, SUBSTANCE USE, AND GANG PARTICIPATION. B[ME] AIMS TO EMPOWER YOUTH TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL, RESILIENT, AND DISCONNECT FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND IS BUILT ON THE STRATEGIES OF TRANSFORMATIVE MENTORSHIP, HEALING-CENTERED INTERVENTIONS, PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, AND COMMUNITY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. THE CENTER RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF INCLUDING FAMILY SUPPORT IN THE MENTORING PROCESS AND WILL ACTIVELY INCLUDE THEM THROUGH THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN A WORKING GROUP, ENGAGEMENT IN FAMILY NIGHTS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, SOLICITING FEEDBACK THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM, AND GROUP FAMILY SESSIONS WITH THE YOUTHS MENTOR.

JUSTICE INNOVATION INC. DBA CENTER FOR COURT INNOVATION (“THE CENTER”), IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE INSTITUTE OF INDIGENOUS AMERICAN LEGACY (“I. AM. LEGACY”), WILL LEAD OJJDP’S YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. THE CENTER AND I. AM. LEGACY (TOGETHER, THE “TA PARTNERS”) WILL DEVELOP AND ADMINISTER A TRIBAL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM TO TRAIN AND EMPOWER YOUTH LEADERS TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO CHALLENGES FACING TRIBAL YOUTH. TRIBAL YOUTH FELLOWS WILL WORK THROUGH THEIR FELLOWSHIP TO DESIGN AND DEVELOP A COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM TO SUPPORT TRIBAL YOUTH AND ADDRESS JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. THE TRIBAL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM WILL WORK TO EMPOWER TRIBAL YOUTH FELLOWS TO BY: (1) RECRUITING, TRAINING, AND SUPPORTING TWO CONSECUTIVE COHORTS OF TRIBAL YOUTH FELLOWS FROM DIVERSE TRIBES AND REGIONAL BACKGROUNDS; (2) HOSTING REGIONAL TRAININGS FOR TRIBAL YOUTH FELLOWS AND FOR LOCAL TRIBAL YOUTH; (3) AND GUIDING TRIBAL YOUTH FELLOWS TO ENGAGE IN ORIGINAL RESEARCH AND PROJECT DESIGN TO DEVELOP A NOVEL TRIBAL YOUTH PREVENTION OR INTERVENTION PROGRAM. AT THE END OF THE PROJECT, TRIBAL YOUTH FELLOWS WILL DEVELOP MATERIALS TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THEIR TRIBAL YOUTH PROGRAM AND WILL ENGAGE IN PRESENTATIONS WITH TRIBAL LEADERS AND YOUTH PROGRAM PRACTITIONERS TO ENCOURAGE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THEIR PROGRAM. THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THE TRIBAL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM WILL BE TO TRAIN AND SUPPORT TRIBAL YOUTH FELLOWS TO DEVISE AND IMPLEMENT SOLUTIONS TO CHALLENGES THAT ARE AFFECTING YOUTH TODAY AND TO CENTER AND UPLIFT THEIR VOICE, DECISION-MAKING, AND AGENCY AS EMPOWERED TRIBAL YOUTH LEADERS.

THE RESEARCH AND EVALUATION (R&E) INITIATIVE IS AUTHORIZED BY 34 USC 12291(B)(7), WHICH PERMITS OVW TO SET ASIDE UP TO THREE PERCENT OF AVAILABLE FUNDS FROM MOST OVW PROGRAMS TO CONDUCT EVALUATIONS OF PROMISING PRACTICES FOR COMBATTING DOMESTIC/DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING, AND TO RESEARCH ISSUES EMERGING IN THE FIELD. BY GENERATING MORE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT STRATEGIES FOR SERVING VICTIMS AND HOLDING OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE, COMMUNITIES THAT BENEFIT FROM VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT (VAWA) FUNDING WILL BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO ALIGN THEIR WORK WITH PRACTICES THAT ARE KNOWN TO BE EFFECTIVE, AND THEY WILL BE MORE CAPABLE OF BUILDING EMPIRICAL KNOWLEDGE ON THE EFFICACY OF NEW AND PROMISING WAYS OF MAKING COMMUNITIES SAFER. THIS EXPLORATORY STUDY AIMS TO FILL A GAP IN RESEARCH ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS (CVIS) ADDRESS THE INTERSECTION OF COMMUNITY GUN VIOLENCE AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE(IPV). RESEARCHERS WILL CONDUCT A NATIONAL SURVEY OF CVI PROGRAMS TO UNDERSTAND IF AND HOW THEY ADDRESS IPV. THE STUDY GOALS ARE TO: 1) DOCUMENT THE EXTENT TO WHICH CVIS WORK AT THE NEXUS OF COMMUNITY GUN VIOLENCE AND IPV; 2) CREATE A NATIONAL PORTRAIT OF CVIS WORKING AT THIS INTERSECTION; AND 3) COMPLETE IN-DEPTH CASE STUDIES OF CVIS WORKING IN THIS SPACE TO GAIN A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN COMMUNITY GUN VIOLENCE AND IPV. THIS PROJECT IS SUPPORTED WITH FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER 34 U.S.C. 12291(B)(16), WHICH PERMITS OVW TO SUPPORT PILOT PROJECTS, DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS, AND SPECIAL INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO IMPROVE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND OTHER COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE.

IN RESPONSE TO CATEGORY 1 OF OVC’S FY2021 ENHANCING JUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT RESPONSES TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING SOLICITATION, JUSTICE INNOVATION INC. D/B/A CENTER FOR COURT INNOVATION (CENTER) REQUESTS $450,000 OVER THREE YEARS TO ENHANCE AND EXPAND QUEENS HOPE (HEAL, OVERCOME, PROSPER, EMPOWER), A TRAUMA-INFORMED, SURVIVOR-CENTERED PROGRAM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, AGES 12-18, WHO ARE AT-RISK OF OR ARE VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING. THE PROGRAM, OPERATED BY THE CENTER’S QUEENS COMMUNITY JUSTICE CENTER, LOCATED IN JAMAICA, QUEENS, IN NEW YORK, WILL EXPAND SERVICES TO THE CENTER’S NEW FAR ROCKAWAY, QUEENS SITE. THE MAIN GOALS OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO PROVIDE DIRECT SPECIALIZED SERVICES AND DIVERSION PROGRAMS FOR QUEENS YOUTH WHO ARE VICTIMS OF SEX AND/OR LABOR TRAFFICKING OR ARE AT RISK FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING DUE TO PAST OR CURRENT VICTIMIZATION TO MEET THEIR TREATMENT NEEDS, PREVENT RE-TRAUMATIZATION AND FURTHER JUSTICE SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT, AND EDUCATE STAKEHOLDERS TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND IDENTIFICATION OF SEX AND/OR LABOR TRAFFICKING INVOLVING YOUTH. TO THIS END, THE JUSTICE CENTER WILL PURSUE THE FOLLOWING: PROVIDE SCREENING, ASSESSMENT, CLINICAL SERVICES, AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO 100 YOUNG PEOPLE; PROVIDE EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS OR PRACTICES TO 100 PERCENT OF PARTICIPANTS; CREATE A QUEENS-SPECIFIC MULTIDISCIPLINARY TASK FORCE COMPRISED OF COURT- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICE PROVIDERS AND TRAFFICKING SURVIVOR CONSULTANTS TO INFORM THE WORK OF QUEENS HOPE, ENSURE THE PROGRAM’S SENSITIVITY TO LGBTQI YOUTH AND YOUTH OF ALL GENDERS, AND FACILITATE RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING TO ENSURE COORDINATION OF SERVICES; INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMMERCIAL SEX/LABOR TRAFFICKING INDUSTRY AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE RISKS, DYNAMICS, AND SHORT- AND LONG-TERM IMPLICATIONS ON HEALTH, SAFETY, MENTAL HEALTH, AND SOCIAL STABILITY FOR 100 PERCENT OF PARTICIPATING COURT AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS; IDENTIFY A POSITIVE SUPPORT SYSTEM OUTSIDE OF THE FAMILY UNIT (E.G., SCHOOL, EMPLOYMENT, PROSOCIAL ACTIVITIES, POSITIVE ADULT IN THE COMMUNITY) FOR 90 PERCENT OF PARTICIPANTS; BUILD INTERNAL CAPACITY BY PROVIDING TRAINING, ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND SUPPORT RELATED TO COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN AND LABOR TRAFFICKING TO STAFF; AND PARTICIPATE IN AN ANNUAL PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING OPPORTUNITY HOSTED BY THE OVC-FUNDED TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER IN EACH YEAR OF THE PROJECT. THE CENTER IS A NATIONAL LEADER IN THE DEVELOPMENT, STUDY, AND DISSEMINATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED AND PROBLEM-SOLVING JUSTICE SYSTEM INITIATIVES. THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL BUILD ON THE CENTER’S SYSTEM CHANGE EXPERTISE AND LONG HISTORY OF ADVANCING JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORMS AS WELL AS WORK PROVIDING SUPPORT TO SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

THE GRANTS TO ENGAGE MEN AND BOYS AS ALLIES IN THE PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS PROGRAM SUPPORTS PROJECTS THAT DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES THAT CREATE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING TO ENCOURAGE MEN AND BOYS TO WORK AS ALLIES WITH WOMEN AND GIRLS TO PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, AND SEX TRAFFICKING. WITH THIS FUNDING, JUSTICE INNOVATION, INC.WILL RECRUIT MEN AND BOYS AS MENTORS, INTEGRATE EDUCATION INTO EXISTING PROGRAMS, AND DEVELOP A TRAIN THE TRAINER PROGRAM TO IMPLEMENT THE MEN RISING INITIATIVE INTHE BRONX AND HARLEM, NEW YORK. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM, INC., CONNECT, GETTING OUT AND STAYING OUT, BRONXCONNECT, THE NEW YORK CITY MAYOR'S OFFICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY, AND THE NEW YORK CITY MAYORS OFFICE TO END DOMESTIC AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE, JUSTICE INNOVATION, INC., WILLADDRESS THE INTERSECTION OF GUN VIOLENCE AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE BY: 1) RECRUITING COHORTS OF MALE CREDIBLE MESSENGERS AND GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION STAFF FROM GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION NETWORKS FOR MENTORSHIP TRAINING; 2) ENABLING COHORT MEMBERS TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY NORMS CHANGE CAMPAIGNS, INCLUDING MESSAGING, PUBLIC EDUCATION MATERIALS, AND COMMUNITY ACTIVATIONS; AND 3) IMPLEMENTING THREE TWO-MONTH TRAIN THE TRAINER PROGRAMS WITH MEN WHO COMPLETE THE MEN RISING INITIATIVE MENTORSHIP TRAINING TO PREPARE THEM TO LEAD SIMILAR MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. ALSO, THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS OVW PRIORITY AREA 1, RACIAL EQUITY AND 2, UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS BY FOCUSING ON COMMUNITIES WITH POPULATIONS THAT ARE MAINLY BLACK, AFRICAN AMERICAN, AND LATINX WITH A LARGE CARIBBEAN/WEST INDIAN POPULATION, DOMINICAN, AFRICAN, AND PUERTO RICAN. THE PROJECT PERIOD FOR THIS AWARD IS 36 MONTHS.

THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) INITIATIVE PROVIDES OVW GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES WITH THE EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFUL STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND CAMPUS PROJECTS; INCREASE VICTIM SAFETY; AND BOLSTER OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY. THROUGH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, OVW SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, CONFERENCES, PEER-TO-PEER CONSULTATIONS, AND TARGETED ASSISTANCE THAT ALLOW CURRENT AND POTENTIAL GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS AND ONE ANOTHER ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND INCORPORATE PROMISING PRACTICES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. IN ADDITION, OVW IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEMS AND VICTIM SERVICES PROVIDERS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY WORKED TOGETHER TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.   THIS AWARD WILL SUPPORT FY 2022 TA INITIATIVE PURPOSE AREA 25, TO PROVIDE BASIC AND ADVANCED BATTERERS INTERVENTION TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THAT INCLUDES ORGANIZING AND CONVENING TRAININGS ON EFFECTIVE ABUSE INTERVENTION PROGRAM PRACTICES AND EXAMINATION OF A VARIETY OF EXISTING AND EMERGING MODELS FOR PROMOTING OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.   THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 24 MONTHS.   THIS IS A NEW AWARD.

THE CENTER FOR COURT INNOVATION WILL PARTNER WITH THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY AS THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THE FY19 PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS (PSN) GRANT PROGRAM.  THE PROPOSED PROJECT PERIOD IS OCTOBER 1, 2019 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023.  ACCORDING TO THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, THE NEW JERSEY ESTIMATED POPULATION FOR 2017 WAS 8,908,520.  CURRENTLY, THERE ARE THREE PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD (“PSN”) TARGET AREAS:  CAMDEN; JERSEY CITY; AND NEWARK.  THE 2017 UNIFORM CRIME REPORT INDICATES A TOTAL OF 20,604 VIOLENT CRIMES OCCURRED IN NEW JERSEY IN 2017.  THE PSN TARGET AREAS ACCOUNTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 25% OF THE VIOLENT CRIMES AND APPROXIMATELY 37.5% OF THE MURDERS IN NEW JERSEY IN 2017. THE ENVISIONED PSN STRATEGY FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY INCLUDES THE FIVE DESIGN FEATURES OF LEADERSHIP, PARTNERSHIP, TARGETED AND PRIORITIZED ENFORCEMENT, PREVENTION, AND ACCOUNTABILITY.  THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE STRATEGY FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY FOCUS ON ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.  THE ENFORCEMENT STRATEGY WILL AIM TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIME WITH AN EMPHASIS ON REDUCING THE NUMBER OF FATAL AND NON-FATAL SHOOTINGS BY SPECIFICALLY TARGETING, AMONG OTHERS, KNOWN SHOOTERS AND GANG MEMBERS THROUGH AGGRESSIVE PROSECUTORIAL EFFORTS.  THE PSN PROGRAM WILL BE A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO ENHANCE EXISTING TASK FORCE INITIATIVES TO COMBAT VIOLENT CRIME TO INCLUDE CORRSTAT REGION REAL TIME CRIME CENTER. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WILL AIM TO PREVENT CRIME AND IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT THROUGH APPROACHES SUCH AS SCHOOL-BASED PREVENTION EFFORTS, REENTRY PROGRAMMING TO PREVENT RECIDIVIST OFFENDERS FROM RE-OFFENDING, DIVERSION PROGRAMMING FOR AT RISK-TEENS, AS WELL AS OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS SUCH AS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.  A SPECIFIC STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN WILL BE DEVELOPED WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF GRANT AWARD.  KEY PARTNERS INCLUDE: THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE PSN SUBRECIPIENT JURISDICTION; LOCAL SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT; COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE; NEW JERSEY STATE PAROLE; NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE; FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS; BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES; DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION; AND THE UNITED STATES MARSHAL’S SERVICE. THROUGH ITS RESEARCH PARTNER – THE NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE’S REGIONAL OPERATIONAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER (ROIC) – CRIME DATA WILL BE ANALYZED TO ASSESS CRIME TRENDS, IDENTIFY VIOLENT HOT SPOTS, AND ENSURE THAT THE PSN INITIATIVES ARE HAVING THE DESIRED IMPACT ON CRIME.

THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) INITIATIVE PROVIDES OVW GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES WITH THE EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFUL STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND CAMPUS PROJECTS; INCREASE VICTIM SAFETY; AND BOLSTER OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY. THROUGH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, OVW SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, CONFERENCES, PEER-TO-PEER CONSULTATIONS, AND TARGETED ASSISTANCE THAT ALLOW CURRENT AND POTENTIAL GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS AND ONE ANOTHER ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND INCORPORATE PROMISING PRACTICES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. IN ADDITION, OVW IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEMS AND VICTIM SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY WORKED TOGETHER TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. WITH FY 2023 TA INITIATIVE FUNDING, THE CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION (CJI) WILL IMPLEMENT THE MENTOR COURT ENHANCEMENT PROJECT. THIS PROJECT WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF OVW-FUNDED MENTOR COURTS TO SERVE AS PROMISING PRACTICE COURT MODELS FOR OTHER JURISDICTIONS. THIS PROJECT WILL BUILD THE CAPACITY OF MENTOR COURTS, FOSTER PEER MENTORSHIP FOR SPECIALIZED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURTS, AND BUILD THE NATIONAL NETWORK OF MENTOR COURTS IN THE DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE FIELD. OVER THE COURSE OF THE PROJECT PERIOD, CJI WILL HOST A MENTOR COURT COORDINATOR MEETING, RELEASE A CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR MENTEE COURT SITES, SELECT AND PAIR MENTEES WITH MENTOR COURTS, BUILD MENTOR COURTS FACILITATION AND TRAINING SKILLS, AND PROMOTE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MENTOR COURTS TO PRESENT AT NATIONAL EVENTS. THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS FY 2023 TA INITIATIVE PURPOSE AREA 20: MENTOR COURT ENHANCEMENT PROJECT. THIS AWARD IS A CONTINUATION OF 15JOVW-22-GK-03989-MUMU.

THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) INITIATIVE PROVIDES OVW GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES WITH THE EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFUL STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND CAMPUS PROJECTS; INCREASE VICTIM SAFETY; AND BOLSTER OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY. THROUGH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, OVW SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, CONFERENCES, PEER-TO-PEER CONSULTATIONS, AND TARGETED ASSISTANCE THAT ALLOW CURRENT AND POTENTIAL GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS AND ONE ANOTHER ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND INCORPORATE PROMISING PRACTICES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. IN ADDITION, OVW IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEMS AND VICTIM SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY WORKED TOGETHER TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. WITH FY 2023 TA INITIATIVE FUNDING, JUSTICE INNOVATION, INC. DOING BUSINESS AS THE CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION (THE CENTER) WILL IMPLEMENT THE HOLISTIC PRE-TRIAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT. THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROSECUTORS, JUDGES AND COURT STAFF, AND VICTIM SERVICES PROVIDERS ON PRE-TRIAL RELEASE CRITERIA AND CONDITIONS OF BOND (COB) THAT ADDRESS THE SAFETY OF VICTIMS IN CASES THAT INVOLVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING. OVER THE COURSE OF THE PROJECT PERIOD, THE CENTER WILL PROVIDE DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS DEVELOP A PROTOCOL TO ADDRESS THE COORDINATION OF COB ACROSS SYSTEMS, HOST A MULTI-DAY VIRTUAL TRAINING FOR SELECTED MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS, AND CONDUCT A WEBINAR SERIES ON FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENTS OF HOLISTIC INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE PRE-TRIAL RESPONSES. THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS FY 2023 TA INITIATIVE PURPOSE AREA 35: TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON PRE-TRIAL RELEASE CRITERIA AND CONDITIONS OF BOND. THIS IS A NEW AWARD.

THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) INITIATIVE PROVIDES OVW GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES WITH THE EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFUL STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND CAMPUS PROJECTS; INCREASE VICTIM SAFETY; AND BOLSTER OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY. THROUGH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, OVW SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, CONFERENCES, PEER-TO-PEER CONSULTATIONS, AND TARGETED ASSISTANCE THAT ALLOW CURRENT AND POTENTIAL GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS AND ONE ANOTHER ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND INCORPORATE PROMISING PRACTICES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. IN ADDITION, OVW IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEMS AND VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY WORKED TOGETHER TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. WITH FY 2024 TA INITIATIVE FUNDING, JUSTICE INNOVATION, INC WILL CONTINUE ITS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FUNDAMENTALS TRAINING PROJECT AND IMPLEMENT THE INSTITUTE FOR IMPROVING COURT EDUCATION AND APPROACHES ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. IN COLLABORATION WITH FUTURES WITHOUT VIOLENCE, THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS (NCSC), AND THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR JUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT JUDGES (NCJFCJ), THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COURT STAFF (INCLUDING COURT CLERKS, COURT ADMINISTRATORS, MEDIATORS, AND GUARDIAN AD LITEM) ACROSS THE UNITED STATES SEEKING TO IMPROVE COURT RESPONSES TO GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE. OVER THE COURSE OF THE PROJECT PERIOD, JUSTICE INNOVATION WILL PROVIDE DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, CONVENE IN-PERSON TRAININGS, DELIVER SMALL GROUP LEARNING SESSIONS FOR COURT PERSONNEL, HOST ASK AN EXPERT CALLS, AND CREATE A SUPERVISOR'S PRACTICE GUIDE FOR COURT STAFF MANAGERS. THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS FY 2024 TA INITIATIVE PURPOSE AREA 15: COURT STAFF TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 24 MONTHS. THIS AWARD IS A CONTINUATION OF 15JOVW-22-AG-04355-MUMU.

THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) INITIATIVE PROVIDES OVW GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES WITH THE EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFUL STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND CAMPUS PROJECTS; INCREASE VICTIM SAFETY; AND BOLSTER OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY. THROUGH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, OVW SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, CONFERENCES, PEER-TO-PEER CONSULTATIONS, AND TARGETED ASSISTANCE THAT ALLOW CURRENT AND POTENTIAL GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS AND ONE ANOTHER ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND INCORPORATE PROMISING PRACTICES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. IN ADDITION, OVW IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEMS AND VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY WORKED TOGETHER TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. WITH FY 2024 TA INITIATIVE FUNDING, JUSTICE INNOVATION INC. (CJI) WILL CONTINUE ITS PROVIDING EFFECTIVE TRAINING TO THE COURTS PROJECT. THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES GRANTEES AND STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN FORMULA SUBGRANTEES TO ENHANCE THEIR ABILITY TO DESIGN AND DELIVER TRAINING PROGRAMS USING ADULT LEARNING METHODOLOGIES TO COURT-BASED STAFF AND OTHERS WORKING WITHIN THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM. OVER THE COURSE OF THE PROJECT PERIOD, CJI WILL PROVIDE DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, FACILITATE DROP-IN CALLS, CONVENE IN-PERSON TRAININGS, PROVIDE CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK TO INDIVIDUAL TRAINERS, AND DEVELOP AND/OR UPDATE RESOURCES AS NEEDED. THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS FY 2024 TA INITIATIVE PURPOSE AREA 14: TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON HOW TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE TRAINING TO THE COURTS. THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 24 MONTHS. THIS AWARD IS A CONTINUATION OF 15JOVW-22-AG-04354-MUMU.

GROW’N WILL BUILD SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES TO INCREASE FOOD PRODUCTION IN URBAN SPACES, PROMOTE AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES THROUGH JOB TRAINING, SUPPORT THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE, AND TRAIN YOUNG PEOPLE TO EDUCATE OTHERS IN THEIR COMMUNITY ABOUT FOOD SYSTEMS, NUTRITION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) INITIATIVE PROVIDES OVW GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES WITH THE EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFUL STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND CAMPUS PROJECTS; INCREASE VICTIM SAFETY; AND BOLSTER OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY. THROUGH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, OVW SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, CONFERENCES, PEER-TO-PEER CONSULTATIONS, AND TARGETED ASSISTANCE THAT ALLOW CURRENT AND POTENTIAL GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS AND ONE ANOTHER ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND INCORPORATE PROMISING PRACTICES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. IN ADDITION, OVW IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEMS AND VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY WORKED TOGETHER TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. THIS AWARD WILL SUPPORT FY 2021 TA INITIATIVE PURPOSE AREA 26 TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COURT STAFF, INCLUDING COURT CLERKS, COURT ADMINISTRATORS, MEDIATORS, AND GUARDIANS AD LITEM, ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 24 MONTHS.

THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) INITIATIVE PROVIDES OVW GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES WITH THE EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFUL STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND CAMPUS PROJECTS; INCREASE VICTIM SAFETY; AND BOLSTER OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY. THROUGH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, OVW SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, CONFERENCES, PEER-TO-PEER CONSULTATIONS, AND TARGETED ASSISTANCE THAT ALLOW CURRENT AND POTENTIAL GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS AND ONE ANOTHER ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND INCORPORATE PROMISING PRACTICES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. IN ADDITION, OVW IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEMS AND VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY WORKED TOGETHER TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. THIS AWARD WILL SUPPORT FY 2021 TA INITIATIVE PURPOSE AREA 29 TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES GRANTEES AND STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN FORMULA SUBGRANTEES TO ENHANCE THEIR ABILITY TO DESIGN AND DELIVER EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING PROGRAMS TO COURT-BASED STAFF AND THOSE WITHIN THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM USING ADULT LEARNING METHODS.

BUILDING UPON ITS CURRENT NATIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TTA) INITIATIVES THAT HAVE SUCCESSFULLY CREATED WEB-BASED RESOURCES AND ITS ON THE GROUND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE CREATING YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMMING IN NEW YORK CITY, JUSTICE INNOVATION INC. D/B/A CENTER FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION (CENTER);AND PROJECT PARTNERS JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, CURE VIOLENCE GLOBAL, AND CENTER FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, WILL CREATE THE NATIONAL YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION TTA PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM WILL ENHANCE THE CAPACITY OF ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, AND EXPAND EFFECTIVE YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION PRACTICES ACROSS THE NATION, INCLUDING ADDRESSING THE IMPACT OF EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE ON YOUTH. THE PROGRAM WILL HIGHLIGHT EVIDENCE-BASED AND PROMISING JUVENILE JUSTICE AND YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS THAT INCORPORATE BEST PRACTICES FROM A RANGE OF SOURCES TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF AND ENHANCE COMMUNITY CAPACITY TO IMPLEMENT THE MOST INNOVATIVE, QUALITY, AND EFFECTIVE PRACTICES TO PREVENT YOUTH VIOLENCE. PROGRAM BENEFICIARIES WILL BE COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS WORKING DIRECTLY WITH YOUTH AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE, COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROJECTS, AND SYSTEM STAKEHOLDERS SUCH AS JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AGENCIES AND STAKEHOLDERS OR ANY OTHER PRACTITIONER SEEKING TO ENHANCE THEIR RESPONSE TO YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION. DURING THE PROJECT, THE CENTER AND PARTNERS WILL CONDUCT THE FOLLOWING PRIMARY ACTIVITIES; CONDUCT AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NEEDS OF THE FIELD TO INFORM THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE TTA PLAN; COLLABORATE WITH GRASSROOTS, COMMUNITY-BASED PROVIDERS TO ENSURE COMMUNITY-LED STRATEGIES ARE HIGHLIGHTED, BY CONVENING ADVISORY BOARDS; DEVELOP THE YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION RESOURCE WEBSITE TO SERVE AS A HUB OF INFORMATION AND RESOURCES; IDENTIFY, DEVELOP, AND DISSEMINATE DELIVERABLES RELATED TO BEST PRACTICES, EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES, RESEARCH, AND INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES ADDRESSING YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION; CREATE, SUBMIT, AND IMPLEMENT AN OVERALL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PLAN TO SUPPORT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REQUESTS; DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A TTA DELIVERY PLAN; ESTABLISH LEARNING COMMUNITIES AND SUPPORT PEER-LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES; AND DEVELOP AND DELIVER INFORMATIVE WEBINARS, CONFERENCE SESSIONS/WORKSHOPS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER TRAININGS ON A RANGE OF YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION TOPICS. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THESE EFFORTS ARE INCREASING KNOWLEDGE ABOUT EVIDENCE-BASED AND EMERGING PRACTICES IN YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION; OFFERING TAILORED SUPPORT TO COMMUNITIES; AND PROMOTING THE TYPE OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN PEERS, PROVIDERS, AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY RESPONSE THAT INCORPORATES YOUTH AND FAMILIES WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE.

PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED. DESPITE RECENT ADVANCES, THE PROTECTION OF SIXTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS REMAINS A NATIONAL CRISIS. STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FACE A CORE SET OF CHALLENGES, INCLUDING: A LACK OF STATE-LEVEL INTEGRATION AND/OR INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT; DIFFUSE AND ANTIQUATED DATA INFRASTRUCTURES; AND CAPACITY SHORTFALLS. COURT SYSTEMS PLAY A ROLE IN THE PROBLEM THROUGH THE DENIAL OF COUNSEL, OVERCROWDED CALENDARS, AND LENGTHY COURT DELAYS. A COURT SYSTEM-SPECIFIC TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TTA) APPROACH ROOTED IN EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE APPEARS TO BE ABSENT FROM THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FIELD. PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. IN RESPONSE TO STRONG INTEREST FROM THE FIELD AND THE CRUCIAL ROLE PLAYED BY COURT SYSTEMS, THE CENTER SUPPLEMENTED ITS FY 2017 GRANT BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF JURISDICTIONS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING TTA AND DEVELOPING ADDITIONAL STRATEGIC PLANNING TOOLS FOR A NATIONAL AUDIENCE. THE GOAL WAS TO ENHANCE THE CAPACITY OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO UPHOLD SIXTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS BY PILOTING PRAGMATIC, EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES IN DIVERSE JURISDICTIONS WITH TARGETED RECRUITMENT OF COURT SYSTEM APPLICANTS; PROVIDING NEEDS-BASED TTA TO SUSTAIN THOSE STRATEGIES; AND DISSEMINATING FINDINGS TO A BROAD AUDIENCE. BOTH THE FY 2017 GRANT AND FY 2018 SUPPLEMENT SET THE STAGE FOR DEVELOPING A NATIONAL MODEL TO SUPPORT THE PROTECTION OF SIXTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS. THE PROJECT UNFOLDED IN FIVE DISTINCT PHASES: 1) WORK WITH BJA TO SELECT THE DEMONSTRATION SITES; 2) CONDUCT A THOROUGH NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND CREATE TAILORED TTA PLANS IN EACH SITE; 3) FACILITATE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC PLANS THROUGH THE DELIVERY OF ON-SITE AND REMOTE TTA; 4) DOCUMENT CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED; AND 5) DEVELOP PRODUCTS WITH BROAD APPLICABILITY FOR BJA’S SIXTH AMENDMENT WEBSITE. PROJECT STRATEGY. THE PROJECT TOOK A RIGOROUS, EVIDENCE-GENERATING APPROACH TO BUILDING CAPACITY AND DOCUMENTING THE SUCCESSES AND SHORTFALLS OF STRATEGIES IN FIVE DIVERSE DEMONSTRATION SITES. THE IMPLEMENTED TTA APPROACH PAIRED EXPERIENCED PRACTITIONERS WITH RESEARCHERS AND COMBINED IN-PERSON SITE VISITS WITH REMOTE TTA TO FORM A TAILORED, RESPONSIVE STRATEGY IN EACH DEMONSTRATION SITE. ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES AND MAJOR DELIVERABLES. THE CENTER PROVIDED STRATEGIC, NEEDS-BASED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 16 TOTAL DEMONSTRATION SITES. THE CENTER DEVELOPED AND CONTINUES TO DEVELOP AND DISSEMINATE MATERIALS RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF SIXTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS, INCLUDING A PUBLICATION ON RACE AND PUBLIC DEFENSE PRACTICES AND INFORMATION ON THE USE OF VIDEO COURT. THESE PRODUCTS WILL BE MADE EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO POLICY-MAKERS, RESEARCHERS, MEDIA, DEFENDER PROGRAMS, COURT SYSTEMS, AND OTHERS THROUGH BJA’S SIXTH AMENDMENT WEBSITE.

THE OFFICE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) INITIATIVE PROVIDES OVW GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES WITH THE EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFUL STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, AND CAMPUS PROJECTS; INCREASE VICTIM SAFETY; AND BOLSTER OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY. THROUGH COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS, OVW SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, CONFERENCES, PEER-TO-PEER CONSULTATIONS, AND TARGETED ASSISTANCE THAT ALLOW CURRENT AND POTENTIAL GRANTEES AND SUBGRANTEES TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS AND ONE ANOTHER ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND INCORPORATE PROMISING PRACTICES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. IN ADDITION, OVW IS FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEMS AND VICTIM SERVICES PROVIDERS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY WORKED TOGETHER TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.   THIS AWARD WILL SUPPORT FY 2022 TA INITIATIVE PURPOSE AREA 19, TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO OVW MENTOR COURTS, INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MENTORING SKILLS AND LOGISTICS OF PROVIDING MENTORING COURTS IN OTHER COMMUNITIES.    THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 12 MONTHS.   THIS IS A NEW AWARD.