For Immediate Release: 11/22/2021
State of New York | Executive Chamber
Kathy Hochul | Governor
GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES STATE HAS PROVIDED $30 MILLION IN GRANTS TO FIGHT GUN VIOLENCE OVER LAST THREE MONTHS
$6.3 Million in New Funds Announced Today to Expand
Gun Violence Intervention Programs Across the State
Total Gun Violence Awards Include $8.2 Million to Hire 129 New Gun Intervention Staff, $5.8 Million for Youth Engagement Programs, and $16 Million for Workforce Training and Placement
Grants Will Fund New Outreach Workers, Violence Interrupters and Social Workers Across the State in Communities Experiencing Increases in Shootings and Firearm-Related Murders
Credible Messengers Will Join Others Working Statewide to Reduce Gun Violence
Through Mediation, Mentoring and Community Engagement
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $6.2 million in grants to expand community and hospital-based gun violence intervention programs in communities across the state that have experienced significant increases in shootings and firearm-related murders over the past year. Governor Hochul also announced $100,000 in new grants to Family Services of Westchester and Peace is a Lifestyle to expand their youth engagement and anti-violence programming in Westchester and the Bronx. Governor Hochul announced the funding at the Mount Vernon Boys and Girls Club this morning, joining Representative Jamaal Bowman and a host of violence prevention experts and community leaders.
Continuing the State's collaboration with communities facing increased gun violence, the funding will allow nonprofit organizations and hospitals to hire 90 new outreach workers, violence interrupters and social workers who will work to reduce gun violence through mediation, mentoring and community engagement, and addressing the trauma experienced by victims of violence and their families.
"The unfortunate reality is that we're still seeing the specter of gun violence in communities across the nation," Governor Hochul said. "This is a wake-up call, and with today's announcement I'm proud to have committed more than $30 million in grants to fight gun violence. These funds will boost street outreach programs in targeted areas that have seen an uptick in the cycle of gun violence, providing young people with the tools and education to pursue a brighter future."
In September, Governor Hochul announced $23.7 million in grants, which included $2 million in grants to hire 39 new violence interrupters in New York City and street outreach workers at all 12 state-supported SNUG Street Outreach programs. With these new awards, the state has awarded a total of $8.2 million in grants so 31 nonprofit organizations and hospitals can hire 129 new gun violence intervention staff, $5.8 million for youth engagement programs, and $16 million for workforce training and placement.
Street outreach and violence interrupter programs treat gun violence as a public health issue by identifying the source, interrupting its transmission, and treating it by engaging individuals and communities to change community norms about violence. Executive Order 211, which Governor Hochul recently extended, allows the state to expedite these grants. The state Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has partnered with the New York City Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice to distribute funding to nonprofit organizations operating community-based programs while DCJS will administer the grants to hospital-based programs and the state's 12 SNUG Street Outreach programs. The state's SNUG Street Outreach programs will expand their reach in Albany, the Bronx, Buffalo, Hempstead, Mt. Vernon, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Syracuse Troy, Yonkers and Wyandanch. Four of those programs - in Albany, the Bronx, Buffalo and Syracuse - have staff that work both in the community and trauma centers. DCJS funds and provides administrative oversight and training to the SNUG programs, which are operated by nonprofit organizations in those communities.
Congressman Jamaal Bowman said, "Throughout my work as an educator and experience as a parent and resident in New York, I've seen firsthand the kinds of struggles people in our communities face on a daily basis. I am proud to join Governor Hochul in strategically investing in critical community programs and securing new funding for Westchester Family Services and Peace is A Lifestyle. People are suffering and we see it in how much violence and self-destructive behavior is occurring among young people and older generations alike. Today's announcement of additional funding and the continued partnership between the Governor, on-the-ground community groups, and myself is a positive step forward in our mission to end violence, but we will not stop here. To begin healing and respond to this crisis, we need more funds for support programs in our neighborhoods. In Congress, I will continue working to get the Build Back Better Act, which will deliver $5 billion for violence intervention programs across the country, signed into law. I know that we are on the right path to healing our friends, loved ones, and neighbors alike."
Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "We've seen a tremendous spike in the number of gun-related crimes this past year. It truly is a health crisis in and of itself, and must be confronted with a sense of urgency. New York State was the first in the nation to declare gun violence a disaster emergency, and treat it as a public health crisis. I'd like to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for extending this emergency and freeing up funds to be used for intervention. Community Violence Intervention is one of the most effective ways to reduce and stop gun-related crimes, and today's announcement continues our work with community leaders to make real investments. By working with our communities and through the investments being made we can stem the number of shootings in our area and put a stop to these senseless killings."
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services First Deputy Commissioner Mark E. White said, "Too many of our young people's lives have been cut short because of the violence plaguing our communities. This investment will help ensure that our communities have the resources needed to support our youth. We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and commitment to reducing gun violence by funding and expanding street outreach programs, which offer positive alternatives for our youth."
New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Sheila J. Poole said, "Gang activity and street violence harm our children and families and tear the fabric of our communities. I commend Governor Hochul for making this long overdue and deeply needed investment in young people and communities. Young people need hope that there is a future beyond gangs and guns."
Street outreach workers and violence interrupters respond to shootings to prevent retaliation through mediation and assist those directly affected by the violence; engage the community, religious organizations and clergy, and local businesses through rallies and special events; and mentor individuals to set goals and connect them with educational and job opportunities and services, including counseling, drug and alcohol treatment, anger management courses and other resources, to promote positive life skills.
Through a partnership between DCJS and the state Office of Victim Services, the SNUG programs also provide trauma-informed counseling, support groups, advocacy and assistance with filing victim compensation applications, and referrals for other services as identified or needed. Clinical social workers and case managers assist SNUG participants and their families; SNUG staff, some of whom also have complex trauma histories because of their prior life and involvement with the criminal justice system; and any victim of community violence or other crimes in the cities served by the program. DCJS's centralized administrative structure and training for SNUG provides for comprehensive, consistent oversight of the program despite being operated by 12 different entities in each community.
The $8.2 has been awarded to the following nonprofit organizations, hospitals and the Division of Criminal Justice Services, which will receive $254,000 (of the $8.2 million) for two positions to expand its administrative structure that oversees the state-funded SNUG programs. Funding to each program varies because it is based each entities' salary structure and whether the positions are full- or part-time:
New York City Violence Interrupters
- Brownsville Think Tank Matters: one position, $75,000
- CAMBA (Brownsville in Violence Out): three positions, $120,000
- CCI (RISE/Brooklyn, Save Our Streets/The Bronx, and Neighborhood Safety Initiatives/Harlem): six positions, $420,000
- The Central Family Life Center (Staten Island): three positions, $136,800
- East Flatbush Village: two positions, $120,000
- Elite Learners (Brownsville, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brookdale Hospital, Kings County Hospital):11 positions, $660,000
- Garden of Gethsemane Ministries (Harlem): two positions, $50,000
- Gateway Community Empowerment (Brooklyn): one position, $36,000
- Jewish Community Center of Greater Coney Island: three positions, $175,695
- LIFECamp (community-based program/Queens and Jamaica Hospital): six positions, $240,000
- Northwell Hospital (South Shore University Hospital, Cohen Children's Medical Center, State Island University Hospital): five positions (includes one social worker), $557,500
- Guns Down, Life Up (NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln):three positions, $191,382
- Kings Against Violence Initiative (Kings County Hospital): three positions, $180,000
- Southside United (Brooklyn): two positions, $92,000
- Street Corner Resources (community-based program/Harlem and Harlem Hospital): six positions, $300,000
- Urban Youth Alliance International (The Bronx): three positions, $156,975
SNUG / Hospital-Based Street Outreach Workers and Social Workers
- $669,000 to Jacobi Medical Center for three outreach workers and three social workers
- $1.88 million for 23 positions serving hospitals in Albany, Buffalo, Poughkeepsie, Mt. Vernon, Newburgh, Rochester and Syracuse: 11 outreach workers and 12 social workers/mental health professionals
SNUG / Community-Based Street Outreach Workers
- Albany: Trinity Alliance, six positions, $311,510
- Bronx: Jacobi Medical Center, four positions, $219,600
- Buffalo: Erie County Medical Center, seven positions, $406,000
- Hempstead: Family and Children's Association, one position: $48,260
- Mt. Vernon: Family Services of Westchester, two positions, $93,416
- Newburgh: RECAP, two positions, $107,200
- Poughkeepsie: Family Services, two positions, $107,200
- Rochester: PathStone, five positions, $260,000
- Syracuse: Syracuse Community Connections, five positions, $262,400
- Troy: Trinity Alliance, one position, $42,748
- Yonkers: YMCA of Yonkers, two positions, $101,600
- Wyandanch: Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, one position, $44,570
The Division of Criminal Justice Services has a variety of responsibilities, including law enforcement training; collection and analysis of statewide crime data; maintenance of criminal history information and fingerprint files; administrative oversight of the state's DNA databank, in partnership with the New York State Police; funding and oversight of probation and community correction programs; administration of federal and state criminal justice funds; support of criminal justice-related agencies across the state; and administration of the state's Sex Offender Registry.
The Office of Victim Services supports more than 200 victim assistance programs that provide direct services, such as crisis counseling, advocacy, emergency shelter, civil legal assistance and relocation assistance, to victims and their families. The agency also provides financial assistance and reimbursement to eligible crime victims for medical and counseling expenses, funeral and burial expenses, lost wages and support, in addition to other assistance.
Additional news available at www.governor.ny.gov
New York State | Executive Chamber | press.office@exec.ny.gov | 518.474.8418